16 dutch words every foodie should know
1. biertje
Biertje literally translates to “a little beer”, and is a way to describe the imbibing of a beer or two. Heb je zin in een biertje? (Want to have a beer?)
2. bitterballen
A favorite snack made from a creamy, savoury filling that’s rolled in a crunchy breadcrumb mix and then deep-fried. Usually served with mustard, these are a favourite borrel snack (see below).
3. borrel
A borrel is a small get together that involves savoury snacks and beer and generally takes place somewhere between the end of the work day and dinnertime. Similar to the American happy hour, it’s an informal moment to unwind and connect with co-workers, friends or neighbours.
4. frites, patat
Patat or frites? Whatever it says on the menu, Dutch fries are arguably the best in the world. Unlike the American “burger and fries” tradition, fries in the Netherlands are a meal in and of themselves. They can be ordered with many different sauces, the most popular of which are mayonnaise, peanut sauce, or a tangy, sweet curry sauce.
5. gezond
After all this talk about beer and bitterballen, don’t think the Dutch are an unhealthy bunch. Quite the opposite, with all of the cycling, fresh food markets, recreational walks (see: wandelen) and national sports initiatives, gezond (or healthy) is a word you will see and hear a lot!
6. hutspot
A simple, but classic Dutch comfort food made from mashed potatoes, onions and carrots. It is one of many varieties of stamppot (see below).
7. lekker
Lekker is probably the most often-used and uniquely Dutch word on the list. It has a deceptively simple definition, “delicious”, but its uniqueness lies in its broad and sometimes unexpected use. It is of course often used to describe food, but it’s also used to describe almost anything that delights the senses. For example We gaan lekker zwemmen. (We’re going for a nice swim). Het is lekker zonnig. (It’s nice and sunny). or Ik ga lekker op de bank zitten. (I’m going to relax on the couch).
8. pannenkoeken
Pancakes! A Dutch culinary staple that is actually a crepe and not an American style pancake. Usually served with a thick sugar syrup, powdered sugar or both, pannenkoeken are typically served as lunch, snacks or even dinner rather than breakfast. Every town has one or more independently run pancake restaurants and in Amsterdam there is even a Pannenkoekenboot (Pancake Boat)— a floating restaurant that serves all-you-can-eat- pancakes.
9. pindakaas
Literally translates to “peanut cheese”, but of course simply refers to peanut butter! Thanks to a successful 1940’s Calvé peanut butter ad campaign which marketed peanut butter as a delicious, inexpensive, nutrient-dense food, peanut butter has claimed a sizable place in Dutch culinary tradition (and grocery isles). And it’s not limited to Chucky and smooth— salted caramel and even speculaaspindakaas (spice cookie peanut butter) are also staples. There is even a chain of stores dedicated to creative peanut butter flavors called De Pindakaaswinkel.
10. poffertjes
A national favorite, these puffy little pancakes are served warm by the dozen, with a pat of butter and a shake of powdered sugar. And yes, they are as delicious as they sound.
11. smullen
A playful verb used to describe “feasting”. We gaan straks lekker smullen bij het Pannenkoekenhuis. (We are going to have a nice feast at the Pancake House in a little bit.)
12. snoepen
This is a special one because, well, how many cultures have a dedicated verb to describe the consumption of candy?
Person 1: Wat ben je aan het doen? (What are you doing?)
Person 2: Snoepen natuurlijk! (Eating candy of course!)
13. stamppot
Stamppot is a traditional cold weather comfort food in the Netherlands. This rather understated mash up of potatoes, onions and vegetables gets a serious taste boost from the juicy rookworst (smoked sausage) it’s typically paired with.
14. stroopwafel
Means simply “syrup waffle” and is easily the most well-known Dutch sweet treat. It’s a chewy, gooey cookie that consists of caramelized sugar syrup sandwiched between two thin waffle cookies. They can be found packaged at the grocery store, but they’re best fresh off the press when they are still soft and warm. Tip: if you see a long line at a stroopwafel stand at an outdoor market, it’s definitely worth the wait!
15. vla
A special Dutch dessert that is essentially a loose pudding. However this is not the pudding your grandmother made on special occasions or kept in little cups at the back of the fridge. In The Netherlands it can be a daily treat and is found in the dairy section in large cartons alongside the milk. Vanilla is the favorite flavor and it’s often paired with fruit sauces.
16. verspilling
Being eco-conscious and living up to a reputation for thrift, verspilling or “waste” is also an often heard Dutch word. In everything from public ad campaigns to appliance labels, particularly those concerning water and food, the phrases om verspilling te verkomen (in order to prevent waste) or samen tegen verspilling (united against waste) are frequently seen.