ExploFood · Europe
What to eat in Belgium
Five dishes to try in Belgium, the most typical first. One is vegetarian.
Five dishes to try in Belgium
Moules-frites
Pot of steamed mussels with fries on the side.
How to have it: Best from September to April; order them marinière and use an empty shell as tongs.
Belgian fries Frieten
Thick-cut potatoes fried twice, traditionally in beef fat.
How to have it: Buy a paper cone at a frietkot and pick from dozens of sauces; mayo is the default.
Carbonade flamande Stoofvlees
Beef stewed slowly in dark Belgian beer with onions and mustard-spread bread.
How to have it: Usually comes with fries; Flemish frietkots also ladle it over chips as a sauce.
Waterzooi
Creamy stew of chicken or fish with leeks, carrots and potatoes.
How to have it: Order Gentse waterzooi in Ghent, where it comes from; eaten with bread.
Liège waffle Gaufre de Liège
Dense yeast waffle studded with caramelised pearl sugar.
How to have it: Sold warm from street stands; eat it plain, as locals do, rather than piled with toppings.
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Questions
What food is Belgium famous for?
Moules-frites (pot of steamed mussels with fries on the side) comes first on our list, followed by Belgian fries, Carbonade flamande, Waterzooi and Liège waffle.
What is the national dish of Belgium?
Ask ten people and you get several answers. The dish we put first for Belgium is Moules-frites: pot of steamed mussels with fries on the side. Best from September to April; order them marinière and use an empty shell as tongs.
Which dishes in Belgium are vegetarian?
One of the five on this page is vegetarian as usually made: Liège waffle. Recipes vary, so ask about stock, lard or fish sauce.
What street food should I try in Belgium?
Belgian fries (thick-cut potatoes fried twice, traditionally in beef fat).
How reliable is this list?
The dishes are hand-picked from general knowledge in the Explo app, where you can also tick off the ones you have tried. Recipes vary by region and by family, so take it as a starting point.
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Get ExploDishes are hand-picked from general knowledge in the Explo app, with links to Wikipedia. Recipes and names vary by region.