Though Belgium could also be finest identified for its sweets, like chocolate and waffles, there’s much more to find within the delicacies of this small European nation, as you’re about to learn on this information to the perfect Belgian meals.
Regardless of sturdy affect from each France and the Netherlands, Belgium stands alone with a singular cultural identification and a particular culinary custom. From hearty consolation meals to sophisticated foremost dishes to decadent desserts, there’s an awesome selection in the perfect Belgian meals.
With regards to drinks, Belgium is well-known for its beer. Belgian beer pairs nicely with most of the native meals gadgets on this record, rounding out the right meal.
Right here’s a take a look at the perfect Belgian meals and drinks to attempt as you discover this compact but fascinating nation.
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The Unmissable Icons – Belgium’s Should-Strive Dishes
What are among the can’t-miss dishes in Belgium? Something with fries!
Regardless of what the title French Fries may recommend, this beloved potato-based snack is more likely to have originated in Belgium, allegedly within the sixteenth or seventeenth century. Nonetheless, there’s a fierce debate between France and Belgium in regards to the accuracy of this declare.
In any case, these are among the unmissable icons it’s a must to attempt whereas visiting Belgium.
1. Mussels With Fries (Moules-Frites)
Any record of the perfect Belgian meals ought to begin with moules-frites, Belgium’s nationwide dish, and a quintessential native favourite you can’t miss.
Pairing contemporary mussels with crispy fries, this dish gives the right mix of flavors and textures. It’s savory, hearty, and scrumptious, and it’s a well-liked dish to order whereas consuming out in Belgium.
Very like fish and chips within the UK or a burger and fries within the US, moules-frites in Belgium is a beloved mixture you can’t go incorrect with.
The mussels are normally served in a broth produced from substances like white wine, shallots, garlic, celery, and contemporary herbs, with beer or cream typically added for extra thickness.
Fries are at all times served on the aspect, and normally loved with mayonnaise or one other sauce. Though this dish is particularly in style in the course of the summer season when mussel season begins in Belgium, it may be loved year-round, and also you’ll discover it on the menu at most eating places and brasseries in Belgium.
2. Fries (Frites)
Not only a aspect dish, fries – or frites – might be loved on their very own as a meal in Belgium. It’s frequent to cease at a friterie, an institution that primarily serves fries and should provide different meals, for a fast lunch on the go, or once you’re searching for a savory snack.
It’s the final word avenue meals in Belgium, generally served in a paper cone together with your selection of condiments, together with mayonnaise, ketchup, or Andalouse sauce, a spicy combination of each. Belgian fries are normally hand-sliced, thick-cut, and double-fried, resulting in a crispy golden exterior with a smooth and fluffy inside.
Some friteries additionally provide dishes like brochettes (meat skewers) or Belgian meatballs to pair together with your cone of frites, however you can too simply benefit from the fries on their very own. It is a in style meals to take pleasure in at any time of day, and plenty of friteries in Belgium are open late to serve late-night revelers.
Essential Programs of Belgian Delicacies
When you’re searching for one thing slightly extra substantial than fries, let’s check out the most well-liked foremost dishes you can order for lunch or dinner at a restaurant in Belgium.
These conventional Belgian dishes typically draw from French culinary finesse and Dutch heartiness, mixing the 2 influences in a manner that’s uniquely Belgian.
3. Waterzooi
Waterzooi is a scrumptious dish that originated within the Dutch-speaking metropolis of Ghent, Belgium. Translating to boiled water in English, this dish is extra complicated and flavorful than what its title hints at.
It’s a tasty stew that options hen simmered in a broth consisting of greens like carrots, celery, leeks, and potatoes. The broth is then thickened with egg yolks and cream to lead to a silky, hearty taste that completely enhances the fragile, tenderly boiled hen.
Generally additionally, you will see this dish made with fish as a substitute of hen, which was the way it was historically ready. Based on legend, waterzooi with fish was a favourite dish of the Holy Roman Emperor Charles V, who dominated in the course of the sixteenth century.
Waterzooi is often served with a thick, crusty slice of bread, excellent for absorbing the broth. It is a dish you may take pleasure in year-round, but it surely’s particularly comforting on a chilly winter day.
4. Flemish Beef Stew (Stoofvlees)
Stoofvlees is a Belgian dish drawing from Flemish culinary custom. Often known as carbonnade flamande in French, this beef stew is a serious staple of Belgian consolation meals, and it’s one other must-try dish, excellent should you’re visiting Belgium in the course of the colder months and need one thing heat and filling.
The dish consists of tender chunks of beef braised slowly in darkish Belgian beer, which creates a deep, malty taste. Onions, thyme, bay leaves, and a touch of mustard are additionally added to the stew for extra taste and complexity.
What makes this dish extraordinarily hearty is that the stew is sort of at all times served on high of a beneficiant portion of frites. The thick-cut fries absorb the juices of the stew completely, making this a tasty and indulgent meal. There’s normally additionally a small salad on the aspect to counter the heaviness of this dish.
5. Liege Meatballs (Boulets à la Liégeoise)
Boulets à la Liegeoise is a well-known specialty originating within the metropolis of Liege within the French-speaking Wallonia area within the southern half of Belgium. The meatballs are produced from a combination of floor beef and pork, seasoned with nutmeg and allspice, and fried till golden brown.
What makes these meatballs distinctive is that they’re cooked in a singular candy and bitter sauce that consists of onions, vinegar, and fruity syrup from apples and pears. The sauce caramelizes across the meatballs, giving them a shiny coating that completely balances the savory taste with a touch of sweetness.
You’ll typically discover boulets à la Liegeoise served with a salad and a portion of frites, or sometimes stoemp, a kind of mashed potatoes. When you’re searching for one thing easy but satisfying, that is at all times a protected guess with regards to Belgian foremost programs.
Snacks, Facet Dishes & Appetizers
What are the most well-liked snacks, aspect dishes, and appetizers in Belgium? Right here’s an outline of another meals to attempt together with your meal. Lots of the appetizers are lighter and seafood-based, whereas aspect dishes are usually heartier and potato-based.
6. Stoemp
Stoemp is a quintessential aspect dish in Belgium that you simply’ll discover on the plate with many entrees in eating places throughout the nation. It’s just like mashed potatoes, however blended with different mashed greens like carrots, leeks, spinach, or cabbage.
This makes it extra complicated and fewer one-note than fundamental mashed potatoes, and it’s a hearty accompaniment to any meal.
Relying on the model of preparation, stoemp may need a clean, creamy texture or a extra chunky, rustic consistency. Stoemp is a dish that makes essentially the most out of native seasonal greens and gives a comforting taste.
You’ll typically discover stoemp served alongside meals like boulets à la Liegeoise, or Belgian sausages. Very like how meatloaf and mashed potatoes are a well-liked mixture within the US, meatballs or sausages and stoemp are a consolation meals in Belgium.
7. Shrimp Croquettes
Shrimp croquettes, often called garnaalkroketten in Dutch and croquettes aux crevettes in French, are a well-liked appetizer all through the nation. Though you may not consider Belgium as a spot identified for its seafood, the nation does have a small shoreline alongside the North Sea.
North Sea shrimp are thought of to be among the finest, identified for being small and flavorful, and they’re used within the preparation of shrimp croquettes. The shrimp are finely chopped and blended right into a wealthy, thick bechamel sauce, after which formed into balls or brief cylinders.
The croquettes are then breaded and deep-fried, leading to a crispy, flaky, golden-brown exterior. Inside is a creamy, shrimp-filled inside. They’re typically served with a wedge of lemon so as to add further taste and a little bit of acidity to steadiness the richness.
You’ll be able to take pleasure in shrimp croquettes any time of the 12 months, however they’re notably good to order in the summertime months in the course of the peak of shrimp season.
8. Tomato With Shrimp (Tomate-Crevette)
One more scrumptious shrimp-based appetizer to attempt is tomate-crevette, or tomato with shrimp. Because the title suggests, this can be a dish that blends contemporary, juicy tomatoes with a creamy shrimp salad.
Tomate-crevette consists of hollowed-out ripe tomatoes crammed with a combination of North Sea shrimp, mayonnaise, lemon juice, and contemporary parsley.
When you’re searching for one thing lighter than the deep-fried shrimp croquettes, this can be a nice selection. It’s gentle and refreshing, ideally loved outside in the summertime. The juicy and barely candy taste of the tomato mixes completely with the savory, barely tangy taste of the shrimp salad.
Usually served with a lightweight salad, that is the right technique to begin off a meal in Belgium should you don’t wish to really feel too full earlier than the primary dish arrives. In a rustic identified for its heavy, hearty delicacies, tomate-crevette is an alternate for these searching for lighter, more healthy fare.
9. Endive Gratin With Ham (Chicons au Gratin)
With regards to the perfect Belgian meals to attempt, don’t miss chicons au gratin. This basic dish options Belgian endive, a barely bitter leafy vegetable identified domestically as chicon. The endives are boiled till softened, after which wrapped in slices of ham, earlier than being smothered in a creamy béchamel sauce and grated cheese.
The roll-ups are then baked till golden brown and effervescent, leading to a gooey and scrumptious snack. This dish melds creamy, salty, and bitter flavors into simply the correct mix. You’ll be able to take pleasure in chicons au gratin as a aspect dish or as a meal by itself, particularly with stoemp or bread on the aspect.
This dish is a staple of dwelling cooking in Belgium, and it’s a well-liked consolation meals in the course of the winter months because it’s heat and satisfying. Nonetheless, you can too discover this on the menu at many eating places in Belgium, and it at all times hits the spot should you’re searching for one thing wealthy and flavorful.
Belgian Desserts
Belgian delicacies actually shines with regards to desserts. You’re most likely already conversant in among the hottest sweets, like Belgian chocolate and Belgian waffles.
However do you know there are literally completely different styles of waffles in Belgium? And what about different Belgian desserts, like speculoos and dame blanche? These are the highest desserts to attempt in Belgium.
10. Brussels Waffle
When the time period Belgian waffles involves thoughts, what you’re really picturing is a Brussels waffle. That is one in all Belgium’s most well-known candy treats, and it originated in Brussels, the nation’s capital, at an Expo in 1958.
It debuted a number of years later in the USA, making appearances at world gala’s in Seattle and New York, and the Belgian waffle craze formally took off.
Brussels waffles are characterised by their gentle and ethereal texture, rectangular form, and deep pockets designed for holding toppings like powdered sugar, whipped cream, chocolate sauce, or contemporary fruit. The crispy exterior contrasts completely with the fluffy, moist inside, and these waffles are finest served heat.
Though tasting the unique Brussels waffles is likely one of the high causes to go to Brussels in its personal proper, you’ll discover all of them throughout the nation, not simply within the capital, together with different in style locations, like Bruges or Antwerp.
It’s a well-liked dessert at eating places, in addition to a avenue snack you’ll see being bought in small kiosks and retailers. Brussels waffles aren’t overly candy, so they supply the right steadiness to no matter indulgent toppings you select.
11. Liège Waffle
One other number of waffle that you simply’ll discover in Belgium is the Liege waffle. Named after the town within the French-speaking Wallonia area of the nation, the Liege waffle differs from the Brussels waffle in a number of key methods. You’ll additionally see this kind of waffle throughout Belgium, not simply in Liege.
These waffles are produced from a yeast dough, not like Brussels waffles, that are produced from a liquid batter. The yeast dough provides Liege waffles a denser consistency, they usually even have a sweeter taste.
Liege waffles are sometimes loved on their very own with none toppings, though you can too get them organized with toppings like powdered sugar or chocolate sauce. This waffle is technically the unique Belgian waffle with a historical past relationship again to the 18th century, making it considerably older than its counterpart.
Each styles of waffles are scrumptious, they usually turn into an addictive snack whereas touring in Belgium, excellent to take pleasure in throughout a day break at a café.
12. Spiced Cookies (Speculoos)
Speculoos is a spiced cookie that originated in Belgium and is best identified worldwide by its branded title, Biscoff. These conventional Belgian cookies are skinny and crisp, with a particular caramelized taste created by means of a mix of heat spices like cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, and ginger.
The style is just like gingerbread or the favored pumpkin spice taste, however not fairly the identical. Speculoos has an affiliation with the vacations, and it’s a well-liked deal with round Christmas, however these cookies might be loved at any time of the 12 months.
With its heat, fragrant taste, speculoos is an easy dessert you may take pleasure in with a cup of espresso or tea. The recognition of speculoos has additionally led to the creation of spinoff merchandise like speculoos spreads – scrumptious on a waffle – and speculoos ice cream should you can’t get sufficient of the flavour.
13. Dame Blanche
Yet another dessert to attempt in Belgium is dame blanche, which interprets to white girl. This decadent deal with is Belgium’s tackle a basic vanilla ice cream sundae. In case you have a candy tooth, that is one Belgian dessert that you simply positively gained’t wish to miss.
It consists of creamy vanilla ice cream topped with heat molten Belgian chocolate and a beneficiant dollop of whipped cream. Though at its core it’s only a easy ice cream sundae, the wealthy Belgian chocolate sauce elevates the flavour of this in style dessert.
Belgian chocolate is known all through the world due to its wealthy taste. A better proportion of cocoa than virtually every other chocolate supplies Belgian chocolate with its style, and it combines completely with clean vanilla ice cream and contemporary whipped cream.
Belgian Drinks To Pair With Your Meals
In fact, this record of the perfect Belgian meals wouldn’t be full with out together with Belgian drinks. So far as drinks go, you may’t go incorrect with ordering a Belgian beer with any meal or snack. When you’re searching for one thing slightly stronger, there are alternatives for that, too.
Right here’s a take a look at the perfect Belgian drinks to pair together with your meals.
14. Belgian Beer
Belgium is famend for its beer, which stands out from the group because of its sweeter taste in comparison with beers from different nations. Belgians take their beers significantly, and should you’re a beer fanatic, you’ll take pleasure in sampling the various array of choices obtainable to you.
Some distinctive Belgian beers to attempt embrace Trappist, which is brewed by monks at round a dozen Trappist monasteries across the nation, and Lambic, which is fermented by means of publicity to wild yeasts and micro organism within the Pajottenland area of Belgium.
You’ll be able to take pleasure in a beer with any meal in Belgium, and there’s a tradition of pairing particular beers with sure meals. For instance, Flemish beef stew is usually loved with a Dubbel, a darkish brown ale with a touch of sugar and toffee, whereas moules-frites pairs nicely with a Belgian wheat beer.
15. Jenever
One final Belgian drink to learn about is jenever, a standard liquor that’s really thought of to be the precursor to modern-day gin. Constituted of distilled malt wine and flavored with juniper berries and different botanicals, jenever has an earthy, barely malty taste, and naturally, notes of juniper, very like commonplace gin.
This spirit dates again centuries and was bought as a drugs in Belgium as early because the sixteenth century. It’s an enormous a part of the ingesting tradition in Belgium and might be discovered right this moment in two completely different varieties: oude (outdated) and jonge (younger), not referring to age, however to the model and manufacturing of the liquor.
Jenever is historically served in a tulip-shaped glass that’s stuffed to the brim, and it’s normally loved neat. When you’re searching for an genuine Belgian expertise, order jenever at native bars and drink it on the aspect whereas having fun with a beer. You can even order jenever in cocktails should you don’t wish to drink it neat.
Savor The Greatest Belgian Meals With JayWay
If you wish to style the perfect Belgian meals, trying out the entire nation’s charms as you go, we’re right here for you. Our knowledgeable journey planners will probably be very happy to craft a bespoke culinary journey to take pleasure in not solely together with your style buds, however with all of your senses.
Born and raised in Athens, Maria’s keen about journey and storytelling, a mixture that makes her ultimate for her position as our content material supervisor.
