The vibrant and eclectic Dutch capital is better known for its red-light district (windmills) than its food, it certainly has a rich culinary history. It will delight any visitor. Hostel visitors are more interested in the city’s heart and all it has to offer, including the food. Mercat states that many tourists are looking for local Dutch cuisine. Here are the local cuisine you need to try.
Haring ‘Hollandse Nieuwe’
It is the place to go if you like seafood! The most famous Dutch dish is the “new herring.” you must catch it between May and July and cooked according to an old tradition. This herring can be found everywhere in the city and is often sold as a snack on the street. It is cleaned and preserved incredibly. The fish is traditionally eaten whole, with the head. If you don’t want to eat it whole, you can also cut it into pieces and put it in sandwiches (called ‘broodje haring’).
Kaas (cheese)
We know that the Dutch love cheese. They eat it every day. In all hostels in Amsterdam that serves breakfast, cheese is served every morning along with other delicacies. The Dutch are the largest exporters and importers of cheese globally and have been making it for almost 2,000 years. Cheese is ubiquitous in the Netherlands. It is eaten on sandwiches, in the kitchen, or diced and served with mustard and a glass of beer. The most famous Dutch cheeses are Edam and Gouda, but there are many other varieties. Ask Amsterdam hostel staff for a trip to the Reypenaer tasting room for a unique local cheese experience.
Stroopwafel
The city’s Stroopwafel is a treat for the sweet tooth. There are many other delicious desserts, such as pancakes and profiteroles. The most famous is the Stroopwafel. This cookie-shaped wafer is made of puff pastry and cut into slices. It is then filled with a sweet, sticky syrup and sandwiched between layers. This delicious cookie originated in Gouda, in the south of the capital. It is sold in all major cities, but it is best bought fresh from a local bakery. There’s no better way to start the day than with a stroopwafel, a coffee from a local bakery, or a visit to one of the many bakeries near Amsterdam’s youth hostels. If you stay in one of the many excellent hostels in Amsterdam, you won’t go hungry. You will find unique cuisine that will delight and surprise you if you are willing to try new things.