Cheap Dutch specialties

[saren]

Cheap Dutch specialties

Hi, I have a post about Dutch food (in Amsterdam, as well as other areas). Please let me know where to find the lowest-priced/decent-tasting versions of these foods. Preferably at places where local's go to eat, (not touristic).

eat: frites - pannekoeken - Wentelteefjes - Poffertjes - rijsttafel (indonesian) - maatjes haring (Albert Cuyp Markt), hutspot, winkel appelgebak, belegde brootjes, kroketten - stroopwaffels - leyden cheese (nettles).

Also, please let me know the name of the common, discount supermarket in the Netherlands.

Thank you for your help.

[eatamsterdam]

Frites -- it's been said before but Vleminckx really is the best place for fries. For around 3 euros you can get a medium cone topped with a dollop of one of their 20 different sauces.

Pannekoeken -- Pancakes! is a little bit touristy but plenty of locals go as well. It is also very affordable; you can get a plate-sized pancake for between 6.50 and 9 euros.

Wentelteefjes (French toast) -- my favourite place for this is Gartine, a tiny cafe on Taksteeg, between Kalverstraat and Rokin. It is run by a couple who grow a lot of their own food. They use Friesian sugar bread for their French toast, which also gives it an extra local touch.

Poffertjes -- you can also get these baby pancakes at Pancakes! for around 5 euros. Or try the poffertjes stall on Albert Cuyp Market where you can see them being made.

Rijsttafel -- are you coming on your own? Rijsttafel is a Dutch adaptation an Indonesian feast and it involves lots of small dishes, similar to tapas, which you may have difficulty finishing if you are alone. I don't know of any places that serve really cheap rijsttafel (Blauw on Amstelveenseweg is good but not a budget option). If you are interested in trying any other Indonesian specialties, like soto, satay and Javanese meatballs, which have been widely assimilated into Dutch cuisine, then Cafe Kadijk on Kadijksplein is worth checking out. It's also reasonably priced. It does serve a plate of lots of different things for 18.50, which, if this fits into your budget, could be a way to try a bit of everything.

Maatjes haring - the new herring season starts around the end of the first week in June, so you may just be in time to try the new catch. If you are on Albert Cuyp looking for poffertjes, you can look out for a herring stall at the same time.

Hutspot -- this is a dish made from mashed potatoes, carrots, onions and stewed meat. It is usually eaten in the winter, so you may have difficulty finding it at this time of year.

Winkel appelgebak -- this is Dutch apple pie from cafe Winkel on Noordermarkt. They turn out tens of these every day and you can watch them arriving freshly baked from the kitchen in a dumb waiter. Another good option for apple pie is Cafe Latei on Zeedijk.

Belegde broodjes -- this means any filled roll or sandwich. I recommend Singel 404, Small World Catering and Gartine.

Kroketten -- croquettes are available in lots of bars/cafes as a snack. The croquettes made by Holtkamp are particularly good. One of the places you can find them is Star Ferry, the cafe attached to Muziek Gebouw aan t IJ - it's just east of Central Station and part of the new development on the waterfront and also has a great terrace overlooking the IJ.

Stroopwafels (literally syrup waffles) -- again, Albert Cuyp Market is one of the best places to look for these and they will probably be made fresh while you wait. Or try Lanskroon on Singel for waffles that have already been bagged up.

Leyden cheese -- this cheese is actually flavoured with cumin, but it's still delicious! If you are really looking for nettle cheese, ask for 'brandnetelkaas'. Friese nagelkaas, made with cloves, is also unusual and really nice. You should be able to find all of these at De Kaaskamer, Tromp or at either of the organic markets that set up every Saturday on Noordermarkt and Nieuwmarkt.

The cheapest supermarket I know in the centre of Amsterdam is the German one Lidl, although it doesn't have very many branches. The most ubiquitous chain is Albert Heijn but Dirk van den Broek and C1000 are slightly cheaper. Depending on what want to buy, the fruit and veg sellers on Albert Cuyp Market often discount their products significantly at the end of the day. Try dropping by between 4 and 5 PM.

Hope that helps and have a delicious visit!

[saren]

Thanks, I will let you know if anything more comes up :)

[dutchgrub]

Great list!

I definitely agree with Vleminckx for fries, Pancakes! and Small World Catering for sandwiches.

For sandwiches, I would add Broodje Bert on Singel. Big, reasonably priced and very good. For Indonesian, often the smaller take out type places have the best food.

dutchgrub
--
www.dutchgrub.com