Savor delectable culinary classics
To truly understand Flanders, you have to taste it. There’s even a charming Flemish word that captures the essence of really desiring something for this intense yearning: goesting — and when it comes to food, the Flemish know all about yearning! Here’s an introduction to three iconic Flemish delicacies:
Belgian chicory: grondwitloof
When autumn arrives and the days become shorter and gloomier, rather than dampening spirits, October heralds the chicory season, the local “white gold”(“Belgian endive” in North America). This is a celebrated specialty from Brussels and the surrounding region, particularly enjoyable during the cooler months. At this time of year, you can tuck into gently stewed chicory hearts wrapped and baked to perfection in a rich cheese sauce. First, you break through a golden crust; then comes the mellow bitterness of buttery-soft chicory, embraced by the lavish cheese sauce. It’s a hearty dish that feels like a warm hug.
North Sea shrimp
If the North Sea were a treasure chest, grey shrimp would be its shining jewel. This delicate, salty delicacy is held in the highest esteem across Flanders. Caught straight from the sea, it reaches your plate with unparalleled freshness. The crowning glory is the shrimp croquette. After biting through the golden, crispy crust, taste a velvety, creamy filling bursting with North Sea shrimp, freshly caught and lovingly prepared. Enjoyed in countless coastal bistros and restaurants, this is artisanal, irresistibly tasty comfort food at its very finest.
Fries
Along with chocolate, fries may be our greatest culinary icon. They’re perfect in any setting, whether at a fine dining restaurant or served in a bistro with classic dishes like moules-frites or vol-au-vent. Fancy a local experience? Head to a frietkot, one of the beloved fry stalls where fries take center stage. No frills, just heaps of warmth and flavor. These are the perfect places to tuck into golden fries with a generous dollop of mayonnaise. This cultural icon is taken seriously, by the way; frietkot culture was officially recognized as UNESCO Intangible Heritage in 2014.
Having whetted your appetite, you now need to deal with your thirst. Wash down the frites and other treats with a delicious glass of Belgian beer. This unparalleled beer culture is also UNESCO-listed. In Belgium, you can find over 3,000 different beers. There’s bound to be one to delight your palate. Cheers!
