Ridiculously delicious brined herring.
This week I’m spending a few days in Rotterdam with my friend Irene, who grew up in the city but now lives in Rome. The brief sojourn to her hometown is dedicated to both high and low dining, mainly street food of the fried persuasion. Herring has been included for good measure. Here’s what we’ve been eating:
Hot and crispy French fries with mayo from Bram Ladage.
Lekkerbek, deep fried pollock at Tuesday’s central market.
Bitterballen, fried meat bits and ragout. Not street food in this case–we ate them in lawn chairs in the yard of the Hotel New York–but sure as hell deep fried.
More bitterballen awesomeness at a bar on trendy Witte de Withstraat.
Stroopwaffels: stroop is Dutch for crack treacle syrup. This one was at least 10 inches in diameter and hot off the griddle.
And of course no Dutch street food tour would be complete without herring, a national dish eaten by holding the fish by the tail, dangling it in the air, biting, and allowing all the onion bits to fall into your purse.
Nathalie (@spacedlaw)
August 24th, 2012 at 1:15 pm
You forgot poffertjes (loaded with butter and Cointreau) and sandwiches packed with little Atlantic grey shrimps or smoked eel.
Frank
August 24th, 2012 at 2:54 pm
One rarely hears about Dutch food in a positive light. But perhaps it deserves a rethink…
BuzzInRome
August 24th, 2012 at 3:54 pm
Agree it deserves a rethink. Loved their balls and what about the Dutch apple cake? It’s so good! Take Dudok’s for instance, in Rotterdam but also elsewhere in the Netherlands.
I loved Rotterdam. Why is it so under-rated? The use-it guide is very handy http://www.use-it.nl/1/46
Brett
August 24th, 2012 at 4:18 pm
Dang. Holland just jumped a few spots on the “Go Here Next” list. Looks delicious.
Irene
August 24th, 2012 at 5:02 pm
Sadly we already had to cram 50000 calories into 3 days, so we had to skip a few other delicacies. Poffertjes indeed, Nathalie! And minishrimp, Zealand oysters,pannenkoeken, raw butter. Aaaahhh. Katie, my suitcase will be loaded with stroopwafels and cheese next time.
Angie
August 25th, 2012 at 4:27 am
That stroopwaffle is straight out of my dreams! I love ‘em but have never seen a huge one like that! Oh man, too awesome.