5 Dutch Foods You Have to Try

1. Dutch Fries

Yes, but not just any fries. Trust us. You might see these thick cut fries called patat or frites on menus, and traditionally they come served in a piping hot paper cone slathered with any manner of tasty toppings. Ask for 'patatje oorlog' for a dollop of peanut satay sauce, mayo and onions, or a 'patat speciaal' for a mix of curry ketchup, mayonnaise and onions.  

2. Stroopwafels

This sweet snack is a waffle cookie made from two thin layers of batter with a sticky syrup filling in the middle. They can be purchased in packages at nearly every grocery store and bakery in the Netherlands, as well as freshly made at street stands at markets and festivals. In Amsterdam you can find freshly made stroopwafels at Amsterdam street markets like Albert Cuypmarkt and Noordermarkt.

3. Drop

Drop is the Dutch word for licorice, and the Netherlands truly loves this dark colored candy snack. With the highest per capita consumption of licorice in the world, each person in the Netherlands eats more than 4 pounds (2000 grams) per year on average! You can find several varieties of drop in nearly every shop from Albert Heijn to Hema, as well as the ubiquitous Jamin candy shop. There is a flavor or type of drop for every taste from sweet to salty, hard to soft.

4. Cheese

You might not like licorice or smoked fries, but creamy, nutty cheese sounds delicious, right? Most people are familiar with what is called “Gouda cheese”, in fact cheese.com says it is the most commonly eaten cheese in the world! The cheeses are classified by how long they are aged. Jonge kaas is the youngest with about a month of aging, while olderOude kaas or Overjarige kaas is aged for a year or more and develops a tangy caramel flavor.

5. Poffertjes

Poffertjes are small, fluffy pancakes made with yeast and buckwheat flour. These tasty treats are prepared using a special pan with several shallow indentations in the bottom to hold the batter and make perfectly puffed small pancakes. Poffertjes are typically served topped with powdered sugar and butter. Poffertjes are a traditional Dutch food consumed in fall and winter when stands selling the delicious snack can be found at outdoor markets and on many street corners.