mikele

I'll be in Amsterdam for a few days mid-December. Will I be able to sample the famous raw herring and onion snacks, or will I be too late/early?
If you've enjoyed this dish, please pass on some tips on where to go - street stands or restaurants, etc. If there is an etiquette associated with eating raw herring at the street stands, please inform me of that, too.

Susan

When we were in Amsterdam in August, my cousin insisted that we try some of their traditional "Dutch treats". We stopped by a street vendor who specialized in the tasty offerings and I took the plunge. The raw herring snack with sliced onions and pickles was fresh and delicious, and the vendor's establishment was very clean, so I have no hesitations recommending the experience. It was fun to try their "Croquettes" as well (also from street vendor). The Dutch are fastidious in offering only the best, as you will see from the fruit and vegetable stands and the flower markets ... perfection comes to mind. When I asked my cousin how the Dutch managed to offer only blemish and bruise-free produce and flowers, she told me that no one would buy them if they were anything other than perfect!

mikele

Thanks, Susan. Besides the raw herring, I'm interested in other traditional foods as well, especially if they are seasonal. I love eating at street-side stands and look forward to it in Amsterdam, as I know the Dutch standard of hygiene is very high. So, anyone else have suggestions on the herring or other snacks? Thanks.

Eye Spy

You can go to any "Kraam" you see on the street. The fish is very fresh and you'll like it. You can eat it right from the stall and it will have been deboned. Also try the "gerookte aal" (smoked eel). It is very tasty and good for you.

Eye Spy

Just take the herring, tilt your head back and nibble it all the way down. It's easy! The wipe your hands and order another one!

Aad

You can get raw herring from street and market stands all over the Netherlands troughout the year.

However, in December you will get "old" herring. The season for catching fresh herring is relatively short: during only 10 weeks the herring for the whole year is caught. During this period (may/june) the herring is at its best, and the street stands will have displays "Hollandse nieuwe" to draw attention to this fact.
Because the herring is shock frozen directly after the catch, quality remains reasonable until the next season.

The herring you eat is not quite "raw". The fish is salted, and the fish meat is slightly fermented after a process that is called "kaken". This way of preparing herring was introduced in 1380 by Willem Beukelszoon.

The use of onions with herring is not a "must". Many people say real connaisseurs eat their herring without onions. The use of onions with herring was introduced a long time ago by some smart herring sellers. It gave them the opportunity to sell some fish that in fact was too old for consumption. The onion was added to mask the smell and flavour of the "not so fresh" fish...

The real traditional street snack in December is the "oliebol". It is a sort of a ball-shaped donut. During winter, you will find temporary street stands that sell these products everywhere.

xxx

And let's not forget the servings of chips (or frenchfries as Americans call them)... with lashings of garlic mayonnaise...mmmmmmmmm delicious! Especially on a cold winter day!

Myriam

Maybe you can find a "poffertjes" stall as well. Poffertjes are delicious small pancakes served with dairy butter and iceing sugar.
Another snack from the fish stall I like very much is a portion of "kibbeling". It's small pieces of fried cod, served with tartar or ravigote sauce. Yummie ....

[email protected]

The best seafood stand I've encountered in the Netherlands is right beside the Rijksmuseum (on the Museumplein side, I think). A Dutch friend introduced me to it and says that people come from all over Holland to eat there -- he sells an assortment of seafood salads too (the lobster is to die for). It's spotlessly clean and there's one tiny table you can sit at -- and he's rigged up a sink where you can wash your hands! But there are fish stands all over the country, we even have one on our street in Den Haag. Herring's not my thing but I love kibbling. Enjoy!

Eye Spy

There are kippers; they are male salmon or trout, caught during spawning. It's also a herring that is split in half, like you would eat them at a "haring kraam." Is that what you mean? Kibbling is not in my Dutch dictionary.

mikele

Thank you, everyone!
My mission now is to lose 3 or 4 pounds prior to departure so I can gain them right back again......

Myriam

Eye Spy,
Look for "kibbeling". You'll find lots of sites. Here's a pic: http://www.nettomarkt.nl/foto/vis/viskennis2.JPG

maatjes

Drooling while reading this!
I find raw herring tastes best with a shot of "genever" (Dutch gin).
Whether "jong" (young) or "oud" (old), drink it ice cold to get warm fast. Proost!
Can anyone explain the origin of the term "maatjes" used for herring ?

panvan

Sorry I mis-spelled it before -- it is "kibbeling". Chunks of cod battered and fried, served with a spicy mayo-sauce on the side. I also have to say that the best french fries are in the Netherlands, even better than in Belgium. My faves are from the Smullers counters in any train station. I'm pregnant now and if I crave anything, it's those fries. Yum!