Belgium is a land of many flavors, famous for the world’s best chocolates, waffles, aromatic beer and, of course fries, but not only that! Belgium offers plenty of local dishes and products. Their cuisine offers a wide range of delicious specialties, from appetizers to desserts.
Belgian Fries
Fries are very popular in Belgium, where they are known as frieten (in Flemish) or frites (in Belgian French), and the Netherlands, where among the working classes they are known as patat in the north and in the south, friet(en).
Belgian fries are fried differently because they are fried twice in beef oil. The first time, chopped potatoes are fried in oil at a temperature of 160 degrees. Then they are drained and dried for about 30 minutes and put back into the fryer in oil at a temperature of 180 degrees. Belgian fries have been on the UNESCO list for four years.
Belgium Chocolate
Belgium is famous for producing some of the best chocolate and pralines in the world. The country offers a variety of chocolate producers. From renowned brands such as Godiva, Neuhaus and Leonidas, to small, local manufactures – everyone has something unique to offer.
Belgian Waffels
After the first bite of Belgian waffles, you will feel a wonderful difference from waffles from other countries! They are made from yeast dough. The original recipe must include a large amount of melted butter. However, the secret ingredient of Belgian waffles is pearl sugar, which gives the whole thing a beautiful color and a caramel flavor and aroma.
Belgian Beer
Belgian beer has been famous for its excellence since the Middle Ages, when monks began to brew it. Over the centuries, the beer offer in the areas of today’s Belgium became wider and wider. In some regions, e.g. around Brussels, a beer called Lambiek, made from barley malt with the addition of wheat, was gaining popularity. Barley beers were produced in Antwerp, and Lowanim was famous for its light drinks (“Leuvense witte”).
Famous Belgium Dishes:
- Waterzooi
Waterzooi its flavorsome stew made up of chicken or fish, carrots, onions, celeriac, leeks, potatoes, and several herbs to add to the taste.
- Stoemp
This dish comprises pureed potatoes and several other additives such as bacon, onion or shallot, herbs, and spices. Thus, Stoemp is one of the dishes that tops the list of Belgium’s famous foods!
- Tarte au Riz (Rice Tart )
In Dutch and Belgian cuisine, rijsttaart/rijstevlaai or tarte au riz is a cake with a filling based on rice pudding.
- Speculaas (Gingerbread Shortcrust Cookies)
Speculaas is a crisp, brown, richly spiced, thin shortcrust cookie from the Netherlands. This cookie is traditionally made to celebrate St. Nicholas’ Day. The cookie is further decorated to make it more appealing and adorable to look at! They are particularly popular around the feast of St. Nicholas (Dutch: Sinterklaas). The oldest sources on speculaas also mention weddings and fairs.
- Steak tartare
Steak tartare or tartar steak is made up of onions, capers, mushrooms, pepper, Worcestershire sauce, and other seasonings. Thereafter, raw egg yolk is also added to this dish, making it a tasty delicacy of all time.
- Anguilles au Vert ( Eels in Green Herb Sauce)
This fascinating Belgian seafood dish is one of the most eaten seafood dishes in Belgium with Eel , which resembles the texture of a chicken. The dish is made up of parsley, mint, and fresh sorrel, basil, watercress and further cooked in a green sauce.
- Carbonnades Flamandes ( Flemish Beef Stew)
This classic Belgian beef stew is known for its sweet-sour combination of caramelized onions and beer. Any dark Belgian-style ale would be a good choice here. As with most stews, the dish will taste even better a day or two after it’s made.
