One well-known fact about me is that I am a very picky eater. Although I don't like a lot of foods, I still wanted to make a genuine effort to try a lot of traditional Dutch food while I studied in the Netherlands. 

One of the first things I ever had while in the Netherlands was fries. Our program advisors took us to a popular fry restaurant and suggested we try fries with mayo, onions, and peanut butter, called “War Fries.” Although I wanted to be adventurous, I am not that brave, so I had the next best thing: fries with mayo. The Dutch put mayo on EVERYTHING. Over my months of being here, I have learned to love having fries with mayo. Another savory dish from the Netherlands that I have learned to love is kibbling. Kibbling is fried cod fish served with tartar sauce and, of course, mayo. I really loved eating this, especially when the fish is really salty. 

Fries from Fry Shop 

Picture of kibbling 

The next thing I had pretty early on was bitterballen. Bitterballen is always described as a croquette. I've never had a croquette before, but if it has the taste and texture of bitterballen, I don't think I can ever eat it. I ordered my first and last bitterballen at a fast-food place called FEBO, where you get your food out of a window. It might’ve been bad because it was fast-food bitterballen, but I will not be trying it again to find out. 

Picture of bitterballen 

Me eating bitterballen 

Besides savory foods, the Dutch are widely known for their desserts. Within my first month, I probably went through a pack of stroopwafels a week. The fresh stroopwafels were ten times better than the store-bought ones. I've also had the pleasure of trying oliebollen. Oliebollen is a Dutch beignet/doughnut typically served with powdered sugar during New Year's Eve. The final sweet item I had was not traditionally Dutch but is from a popular bakery in the Netherlands.  

Fancy stroopwafels from Stro & Ko 

The oliebollen my friends and I bought

Me trying oliebollen 

This bakery is Laurens, located in Jordaan. Laurens has these things that my friends and I call a crookie (a croissant with two cookies on top of it). The crookies are really good, but unfortunately, they are overwhelmingly chocolatey when you get halfway through. However, that hasn't stopped us from going back to get more multiple times. 

My friends and I at Laurens 

Crookie and hot chocolate from Laurens 

My friends and I sharing dessert at a restaurant

Overall, my experience with food in the Netherlands was positive. I would say that if you are also a picky eater, there will definitely be something to eat here. There is a wide array of cultures and many different options for places to eat. If you don't like any restaurants, you can save money and go grocery shopping at one of the amazing grocery stores like Albert Heijn or Jumbo! Or you can go to McDonald's. Whichever you prefer.