12 typical Dutch street foods

As you amble through a city in the Netherlands there are many street foods you can buy and eat along the way. Some snacks are known for being weird choices that only the Dutch would like, while others travel back home in the hearts and stomachs of many a happy tourist. Either way, they're sure to make an impression!

12 typical street foods

Here are 12 street foods you’ll typically find in the Netherlands, and their Dutch pronunciations:

Poffertjes

(Pronounced poh-fur-chus)
Poffertjes are small, puffy pancakes about an inch wide. Top them with butter and powdered sugar!

Stroopwafel

(Pronounced stroap-wahh-ful)
The street stroopwafel bought at a stand is different from its grocery store variety: it is prepared on the spot so the thin, round waffle halves are warm and the syrup in between is hot and liquid.

Appelflap

(Pronounced ahp-uhl-flahp)
Similar to the apple turnover, the appelflap is a triangular puff pastry stuffed with baked apple, cinnamon, currants and almond paste. You may need to go into a bakery for this one, but it’s worth it!

Belgische wafel

(Pronounced Bel-ghee-se wahh-ful)
Belgian waffles are not Dutch, but ever so tasty and found at many Dutch stands! A sweet mix is poured on a waffle iron and served with powdered sugar, fruit, chocolate, or whipped cream.

Rookworst

(Pronounced roak-wohrst)
And specifically, the rookworst you can get at the Hema! This smoked sausage has a horseshoe shape and can be bought on a bun.

Hollandse nieuwe

(Pronounced hohllahndse new-uh)
Hollandse nieuwe (Dutch New) is raw herring from specific catches, often served with onion. It is eaten in pieces with pickles in Amsterdam, and whole in Rotterdam.

Frikandel

(Pronounced free-kahn-dell)
As we arrive in the snack bar section of our list, it’s only fair we start with the number one in the Dutch snack top 10. A frikandel is a deep-fried skinless sausage made of minced "mystery meat".

Patatje

(Pronounced pah-tah-chuh)
French fries can be purchased in a pointy paper bag or in a plastic container. Generally, patatjes in paper bags are deemed the tastiest!

Here’s how you name a specific topping:
- Patatje met - mayonnaise (yes, this is a thing)
- Patatje oorlog (oarlogh, meaning "war") - peanut sauce, mayonnaise and raw onion
- Patatje speciaal (spayshahwl) - Mayonnaise, (curry) ketchup and raw onion
- Patatje Joppie (yoppee) - Joppie sauce (a bit of a general mix)
- Patatje pinda (pindah) - peanut sauce
There’s also the raspatat (rahspahtaht), made from mashed potato and said to be healthier.

Kroket

(Pronounced croquette)
The deep fried kroket is filled with a ragout of meat or, sometimes, vegetables. It is generally eaten with mustard.

Berenklauw

(Pronounced behh-run-kla-oew)
The "bear claw" is a wooden skewer with a sliced meat ball and fried onion rings, often smothered in peanut sauce.

Bamischijf

(Pronounced bahh-mee-sghayf)
A bamischijf is a patty filled with bami goreng noodles; a beloved food in the Dutch snack industry.

Kapsalon

(Pronounced kahp-sah-lon)
The rumour around the origins of the kapsalon (hairdresser's) is that a hairstylist once went to the snack bar and ordered all his favourite ingredients piled on top of one another and grilled.

The kapsalon consists of French fries, shoarma, Gouda cheese, salad and sauces of choice.

It's not all fat and sugar

Most of the above items are rich in fat and sugar. Of course, there are many other (maybe healthier) kinds of typical Dutch foods you can try as well. Experience different flavours by trying a restaurant, or head out to the supermarkets to do some grocery shopping!

Have you tried all the snacks on the list? Did we leave out any Dutch street foods that you think are definitely worth a try or should be avoided? Leave a comment below!