1. Cheese
Cheese is considered a traditional dish in the Netherlands, with a history dating back to 400 BC. Today, the Netherlands is the world's largest exporter of cheese. It can be enjoyed in daily meals as an appetizer or dessert. Dutch cheese provides various nutrients such as calcium, protein, and fats, making it a nutritious and healthy choice. With a uniquely delightful flavor, Dutch cheese comes in hundreds of varieties, including white, yellow, pink, orange, red, blue, and more. Made from cow's milk, the cheese is carefully selected for quality and safety, adhering to strict hygiene standards. Dutch locals emphasize food safety, ensuring that the milk used is not only nutritious but also clean and safe. The cheese-making process involves thorough cleaning of potatoes, slicing them into thin strips, and double-frying for exceptional crispiness. Each serving of Dutch fries, known as patat, comes with additional fish or fried meat pieces. When enjoying, diners have a variety of sauces to choose from, with over 22 enticing options like herb sauce, egg sauce, spicy sauce, peanut sauce, and more.
The crispy fries, paired with rich sauce and accompanied by small fried fish or meat bites, will satisfy any first-time taster. If you visit the Netherlands without trying the Dutch fries, specifically patat, it's a significant omission. Unlike other countries, Dutch fries provide a unique sensory experience, especially when served with finely chopped onions and flavorful sauce.


2. Stamppot
If travelers delve into Dutch cuisine, they'll discover that potatoes are a staple used extensively in Dutch meals. Hence, dishes made from potatoes in the Netherlands are often delicious and enticing. One notable example is mashed potato stamppot. It's a popular and widely-loved traditional dish that has spread to many countries worldwide. This dish is simple, easy to prepare, nutritious, and incredibly flavorful. The ingredients are straightforward, consisting of mashed potatoes along with vegetables, and it can be paired with sausages or smoked meat. Commonly chosen vegetables to mash with potatoes include spinach, turnips, carrots, onions, and kale. The preparation is quite straightforward. After cleaning and chopping the potatoes and vegetables, they are boiled together until the potatoes are tender. Drain the water and mash the potatoes with the vegetables until you have a smooth mixture. Mix the blend with a bit of fresh milk for a creamy texture and an extra touch of richness. Add cold meat or sausages according to personal preference. Remember to season with additional spices for enhanced flavor.
Currently, the true origin of stamppot may not be crucial. Still, for travelers who have been to the Netherlands, skipping this dish would be a real pity. This delectable street food can be easily enjoyed at most restaurants, from small to large, across the beautiful Netherlands. It's a street food delight that combines mouthwatering flavors with humble affordability.


3. Chocolate
While Dutch chocolate may not be as famous as Swiss chocolate, its flavor is truly fantastic and worth a try. The price of chocolate in this country is surprisingly affordable. You can buy a few boxes as gifts for friends during your trip to the Netherlands. Head to Amsterdam if you want to discover the finest chocolate in the Netherlands. The owners of Puccini Bomboni run a unique establishment, combining a cafe, a restaurant, and a handmade chocolate shop that goes beyond industrial production. Although not produced in large quantities, this brand offers the best quality in the Netherlands.
Chocolate - a highly renowned street food in the Netherlands. Locals have transformed it into a unique form of edible communication with interesting messages on demand. Therefore, chocolate can be used as an ingredient to create many simple, exotic, and highly appealing dishes. Its appeal goes beyond delicious taste; science has proven that chocolate also offers certain health benefits. It is a gift intimately tied to romantic love. On special days for couples, like Valentine's Day, young people prepare sweet chocolate bars for their significant others. To make the gift more meaningful, many people have learned how to make chocolate at home to present to their loved ones. Rich and aromatic chocolate ice cream is always the top favorite among young people. However, making chocolate ice cream can be a bit time-consuming, but in return, you'll have a creamy, super refreshing treat.


4. Poffertjes
Similar to how Vietnamese people often enjoy chung cakes during Tet, poffertjes are a must-have in Dutch households during the year-end festivities. They symbolize love and sweetness. Poffertjes are the most famous and enticing treat in the Netherlands. As you wander the Dutch streets in autumn, you'll easily find small stalls selling poffertjes. Poffertjes are made from two main ingredients: buckwheat flour and yeast. The cakes are topped with a thin layer of sugar. You can also have them with butter, enhancing the aroma significantly. The filling comes in various types, but the fruit and chocolate flavors are considered the best. The batter consists of yeast combined with buckwheat flour, sugar, and butter. All ingredients are finely ground and then pan-fried. The cakes are crispy on the outside while maintaining a visually pleasing round shape on the inside.
Poffertjes are a traditional Dutch dish enjoyed during every year-end festival, carrying the symbolism of love and sweetness. What makes this Dutch delight special is that each family has a unique secret recipe, ensuring no duplication. Poffertjes are often served with powdered sugar, butter, or fragrant fruit syrup to enhance the gustatory experience. Enjoying poffertjes with powdered sugar and butter leaves a delightful lingering taste. One bite will make you crave for more!


5. Stroopwafels
Người dân Hà Lan vốn dĩ yêu thích những chiếc bánh ngọt, bánh quy thơm ngon và nổi bật trong số đó là chiếc bánh tráng miệng troopwafels có hình tròn dạng dẹp. Bánh tráng miệng troopwafels bao gồm hai lớp bánh xốp mỏng và ở giữa được kẹp nhân caramel thơm ngon ngọt lịm. Chiếc bánh troopwafels xuất hiện tại Hà Lan lần đầu tiên vào năm 1870 tại thành phố Gouda. Ngày nay thành phố này cũng là nơi đứng đầu về sản xuất bánh troopwafels cũng như là nơi có hương vị thơm ngon nhất. Tại thành phố Gouda có hơn 100 cửa hàng lớn nhỏ chuyên bán loại bánh hấp dẫn này.
Troopwafel là một bánh quế được làm từ hai lớp bột nướng nóng với xirô giống như caramel ở chính giữa. Vỏ bánh là bột nhồi được làm từ bột mì, bơ, đường nâu, men, sữa, và trứng. Đầu tiên ta nhào bột thành những quả bóng cỡ vừa và đặt vào vỉ sắt nóng, sau đó ép thành hình dẹp tròn đều nhau. Bánh troopwafel đã nướng chín mang cắt thành các lớp mỏng ngay khi vẫn còn ấm. Nhân bánh được làm từ xirô, đường nâu, bơ, và quế. Người đầu bếp trải đều phần nhân giữa hai mặt bánh rồi dán chúng lại với nhau để hoàn thiện sản phẩm.
Bánh troopwafels thơm ngon và được nhiều người dân Hà Lan lựa chọn là bánh tráng miệng. Bạn hãy uống kèm với một ly trà hoặc một tách cà phê nóng. Khi ăn bánh troopwafels người ta thường cho thêm mật ong hay quả phỉ vào nhân bánh để tăng thêm hương vị. Khi đến thành phố nhộn nhịp Amsterdam của Hà Lan du khách sẽ thường xuyên bắt gặp hình ảnh người dân Hà Lan tay cầm chiếc bánh troopwafels và vui vẻ cắn từng miếng thưởng thức. Vị thơm ngon tuyệt vời của nó luôn để dư âm cho người thưởng thức. Bánh ăn giòn tan trong miệng. Thật là đáng tiếc nếu như du khách đi du lịch Hà Lan mà lại không thưởng thức món bánh tráng miệng nổi tiếng này. Đây cũng là món bánh được khá nhiều du khách lựa chọn mua về để làm quà du lịch cho người thân và bạn bè.


6. Dutch Hutspot
On October 3, 1574, the Dutch people gloriously defeated the Spanish army and reclaimed independence for the city of Leiden. Every year on this day, the Dutch celebrate this historic victory with the traditional dish hutspot. It's also a popular winter dinner when the weather starts to turn cold.
Hutspot consists of mashed potatoes, carrots, onions, and is usually served with a piece of braised beef (klapstuk). Another variation of hutspot includes meatballs in the Dutch style. The type of carrot used in hutspot is usually the winter variety, large and thick, with a bright orange color, sweeter than regular carrots. It's harvested right after the first frost of winter. The sweet and tangy taste of these carrots enhances the rich flavor of hutspot. You'll experience the spicy kick from black peppercorns and the aromatic scent of bay leaves. It delivers a distinctive, flavorful experience, capturing the hearts of even the most discerning diners. Hutspot is typically laid out on the dining table family-style, shared in a large dish with sliced beef and gravy.
Originating in the Netherlands and being a traditional dish of the locals, hutspot's allure has rapidly spread and gained worldwide fame. Many restaurants and eateries now serve hutspot. However, arguably the best and most authentic hutspot must be tasted right in the Netherlands. Most tour companies strive to include this dish in the menu for tourists to experience the unique flavor of the tulip country.


7. Bitterballen
Bitterballen is the name for the crispy fried meatballs that are both visually appealing and satisfying in Amsterdam. This is an extremely popular dish in the Netherlands. Inside the meatball is a filling of tender chicken meat and vegetables, coated with a crispy golden layer on the outside. In a hungry afternoon, this is a delightful snack to lift your spirits. It's also a favorite beer snack available in pubs throughout the Netherlands. When in the Netherlands, give yourself the experience of savoring bitterballen alongside a cold beer.
Visiting the Netherlands is not just for learning, traveling, or visiting relatives; it's also about discovering the Dutch snacks. Additionally, this meat treat is seasoned with a touch of mustard, deep-fried to a golden crisp in fragrant oil, and served with boiled potatoes, toast, or Dutch stewed peas. Although each meatball may be relatively small, the explosive flavor, especially the rich taste of mustard, easily makes people 'wow.' The crispy outer layer encases a tender and enticing interior with the flavor of minced beef.


8. Herring Fish
Herring Fish (raw herring) is a renowned snack in the land of tulips, offering a unique and distinctive flavor. It is perhaps the most unique and famous dish in Dutch cuisine. This dish features raw herring, often eaten with finely chopped onions and pickles. The traditional way of enjoying this dish involves lifting the herring's tail and taking a bite from the head. Alternatively, you can savor it in small bites or as a 'herring sandwich.'
Raw herring is usually caught between May and July. The preparation of this dish is quite special and follows the traditional Dutch recipe. The herring is cleaned, the head is removed, and it is marinated with salt and various spices for at least 24-48 hours before consumption. You can find this dish anywhere in the Netherlands, in stores and at street stalls. Observing the Dutch enjoying this dish, tourists might be astonished as they simply tilt their heads back, hold the tail, and take a bite. The herring is tender, smooth, and lacks a fishy smell, making it suitable for raw consumption. It's a must-try street food for visitors.


9. Limburgse Vlaai
Limburgse Vlaai is renowned as a traditional fruit pie originating from the southern part of the Netherlands. The delightful taste of fresh fruits perfectly complements the bittersweet, aromatic notes of coffee. The cherry Limburgse Vlaai is an exquisite blend of crispy crust harmonizing with the sweetness of fruits and the rich aroma of cherry liqueur. A delectable treat with a soft, mouth-melting crust.
Limburgse Vlaai often comes in cherry or apricot flavors. Originating from the Limburg region in the southern Netherlands, locals have crafted numerous flavor variations without compromising the deliciousness of the pie. The crust is softer nowadays, and you can pair this pie with ice cream, chocolate, or other pastries. It makes for a delightful dessert with tea or coffee. This dish shares similarities with Troopwafels but typically features cherry or apricot fillings.


10. Dutch Fries
This Dutch Fries dish has its origins in Belgium and is quite popular across various European countries. However, the finest version of French fries is arguably the patat snack from small stalls on the streets of Amsterdam, Netherlands. The preparation of fries in the Netherlands involves minimal effort, thanks to modern machinery. After washing the potatoes, they are thinly sliced into long strips and double-fried for an exceptionally crispy texture. Each serving of Dutch Fries, known as patat, comes with additional toppings like fish or fried meat. When indulging, diners have the freedom to choose from over 22 enticing condiments such as herb sauce, egg sauce, spicy sauce, peanut sauce, and more.
The crispy hand-cut fries paired with flavorful toppings and hot minced meat sauce will delight any first-time visitor. Missing out on trying Dutch Fries in the Netherlands is a significant oversight for any traveler. Unlike in other countries, Dutch Fries offers a unique gastronomic experience, especially when accompanied by finely chopped onions and rich sauces.

