Dutch eating habits and foods

The Netherlands is not known for its rich kitchen. We do have some particular habits when it comes to eating. Because we lack our own culinary specialities, we have restaurants from famous kitchens all over the world. You will find great quality food from all over the world.

I will describe a typical Dutch day when it comes to eating. One of the most important meals of the day is breakfast. Children don't go to school without having their sliced buttered bread with chocolate sprinkles. What? Chocolate in the morning you say? Yes, this is very normal here and obviously every child loves it. Normally you'll have two slices, one with chocolate sprinkles and the other with 'something healthier' like cheese. Next to it you drink a glass of milk or some tea.

Around eleven you snack on some cookies (no, not that kind of cookies) or fruit and already at 1pm you have second meal: lunch. Again bread! This time you'll have bread with a slice of ham or chicken. In the last years healthy food is becoming very popular so nowadays people will have a salad or something similar. Dutch people do not have a warm lunch, they save that for dinner which already starts at 6 pm. A typical dinner composes of potatoes (of any kind), veggies and a piece of meat (see photo below of stamppot).

Boterham met hagelslag (bread with chocolate sprinkles)

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Some other typical dishes are Dutch pancakes. They resemble French crepes but are a little bit thicker. This is what you usually eat on Wednesday afternoon when you visit your grandmother. They are served either sweet with syrup and sugary powder or either savory with bacon and cheese.

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A similar dish is poffertjes. These are very tiny thick pancakes served with a big chunk of cream butter.

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One of my favorite snacks is fried chips with loads of mayonnaise, sate sauce, and raw onions. I am hearing some people cringe but it is actually really good. You can wake up up at any time during the night to have this. It is the perfect food after a long day at work, or more importantly on the day of your hangover!

Patatje oorlog

Next to these fried potatoes slices, you'll have a 'side dish' which is basically made out of fried processed meat with several herbs for flavor. There are many kind of variations. Some made out of cheese others spicy and crunchy. I am aware that it sounds a little absurd and possibly even disgusting but have a look and try at least something. My recommendation is bitterballen! These are balls filled with a gooey mixture of chopped beef broth, flour, butter, herbs, and spices with a crunchy breadcrumb coating. They are usually served with some mustard but you can have them with almost every sauce. Share this with your colleagues when going for a ice cold beer at the local kroeg (pub). It all must sounds like the Dutch are super unhealthy. In reality they will only have this occasionally, so all it's good.

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Another important food in Dutch cuisine is fish. One of my personal favorites is a fried cod called kibbeling. This fish is coated and served with a mayonnaise-based garlic sause. Because there is so much sea in Holland, fishing is something that has been done for centuries. Just like the fries mentioned above they are not very healthy but then again, you won't have it every day (at least I am trying not to). Just like the fries they have special kiosks on the street randomly parked in the city. If not there, you can always find them on a fruit and vegetable market somewhere else in the city.

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A typical dish the Dutch have around newyear are oliebollen. These are balls, fried in vegetable oil, made out of yeast, flour, and eggs. You can find them at little kiosks that pop up around New Year's Day.

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