must-try food of the Netherlands
our top 5 traditional Dutch foods you have to try
kibbeling
battered fish
What is it?
Kibbeling is a popular Dutch street food made from chunks of battered and deep‑fried white fish. It’s similar in flavour to British fish and chips, but instead of a whole fillet the fish is cut into smaller chunks before frying. It is typically served with a creamy garlic sauce or tartar-style sauce, and sometimes with lemon.
What is in it?
Kibbeling is usually made from firm white fish such as cod or pollock, though other white fish like hake may also be used. The fish pieces are coated in a batter made from flour, eggs, milk or water, and seasoning. It is commonly served with garlic sauce, remoulade, or tartar sauce.
Where can I eat it?
Kibbeling is a very popular snack throughout the Netherlands and is most commonly sold at fish stalls, markets, and seafood shops. One good place to try it in Amsterdam is Albert Cuyp Market, where several fish vendors serve freshly fried portions.
erwtensoep
pea soup
What is it?
A traditional Dutch pea soup, erwtensoep is rich, thick, salty and delicious. When the soup becomes especially thick it is often called snert, a nickname many Dutch people use for the dish. It is usually eaten during the colder months and is traditionally served with slices of smoked sausage and rye bread. In very thick versions, the soup can be almost stew like.
What is in it?
The soup is made from split peas with vegetables such as celery, leek, onion and carrot, along with pieces of pork such as pork belly or bacon and slices of smoked sausage (usually rookworst). It is typically seasoned with salt, pepper and sometimes bay leaf, and finished with chopped celeriac or parsley. It is commonly served with rye bread (roggebrood).
Where can I eat it?
It's one of the most common hot starters at traditional Dutch restaurants in the Netherlands, you shouldn't have any trouble finding it, we had a really delicious one at the pantry in Amsterdam.
Dairy & gluten free.
saucijzenbroodjes
sausage in puff pastry
What is it?
A saucijzenbroodje is a classic Dutch sausage roll made from seasoned sausage meat wrapped in flaky puff pastry. It’s very similar to the British bakery classic and is best enjoyed fresh and warm.
These savoury pastries are a popular snack or quick lunch, often found in bakeries, train stations, and cafés across the Netherlands.
What is in it?
Saucijzenbroodjes usually contain seasoned minced meat, most commonly pork or a pork-beef mixture, wrapped in puff pastry. The filling is typically seasoned with ingredients such as pepper, nutmeg, and sometimes onion.
Where can I eat it?
They are widely available at bakeries and cafés throughout the Netherlands. We would recommend Lanskroon Bakery in Amsterdam, where we had an excellent one.
kapsalon
döner & fries platter
What is it?
Kapsalon is a popular Dutch fast food dish made from layers of fries topped with döner kebab meat and melted cheese, then finished with fresh salad and sauces. The dish usually includes lettuce, tomato, garlic sauce, and spicy sambal.
The name kapsalon means “hairdresser” in Dutch. It was reportedly invented in Rotterdam by a hairdresser who asked his local kebab shop to combine all his favourite ingredients into one tray. It has since become a favourite late night takeaway meal, especially after a night out.
What is in it?
Kapsalon typically consists of french fries topped with döner meat, usually lamb, beef, or chicken, and melted Gouda cheese. After baking, it is topped with lettuce, tomato, sometimes onion, and finished with garlic sauce and spicy Indonesian sambal.
Where can I eat it?
Kapsalon is a common option at kebab shops and takeaway restaurants throughout the Netherlands. In Amsterdam you can find it at places such as Sinbad, which serves a popular version.
slavink
bacon wrapped mince
What is it?
Slavink is a traditional Dutch meat dish made from seasoned minced meat shaped like a sausage and wrapped in bacon. It is typically pan‑fried until the bacon becomes crispy while the meat inside stays juicy, and is usually served as part of a classic Dutch dinner with potatoes, vegetables, and gravy.
What is in it?
Slavink is typically made from minced pork and beef, seasoned and formed into a sausage like shape, then wrapped in bacon before being cooked.
Where can I eat it?
Slavink can be found on the menus of many traditional Dutch restaurants, though it is not quite as common as dishes like stamppot and rookworst. In Amsterdam it is served at traditional eateries such as De Blauwe Hollander.
Ingredients listed reflect common or typical components of this dish as served in restaurants or street‑food vendors. Variations by region, season, or vendor are common. This information is provided for general reference only. If you have dietary restrictions or allergies, please verify ingredient details independently. We assume no liability for accuracy or outcomes.
