Wherever I travel, I love going to their local markets which are always the meeting points of the city’s culture, history, and delicacies. When my colleagues and I were riding on a tram from the hotel to downtown Amsterdam, we were captivated by a bustling street filled with a variety of stalls that made us take a detour to discover what this little gem is all about.

Taking its name from a Dutch painter in the 17th century, Albert Cuyp Market has a history of over a hundred years. It is hailed as the largest daytime market in Europe, home to around 260 vendors selling everything from clothes, accessories, and flowers to some of the famous Dutch snacks you cannot afford to miss.

1. Dutch fries

I would say one of my favorite food is fries, which not only goes hand in hand with burgers, steaks, battered fish, and beer but is a scrumptious snack to have on the go. Instead of being skinny like the American French fries, the Dutch version is thick and chunky, served in a cone-shaped container and with the option of adding different sauces on the top. We ordered a regular portion to share with a generous lashing of cheese sauce covering the smoking hot fries, each of which has a crunchy exterior and a soft interior that makes me grin ear to ear.

2. Fresh Stroopwafel

Easily found in supermarkets, grocery stores, and souvenir shops, Stroopwafel is a sweet treat with two layers of round waffle cookies bound with caramel filling. Though it’s highly sought-after by locals and tourists alike, I found the taste too sweet and the texture too hard. It was not until I came across Albert Cuyp Market that I realized stroopwafel can be enjoyed fresh. Taken straight out from the hot waffle iron, the wafer-thin cookie is brushed with a gooey layer of caramel before covering up with another crisp waffle. The result is a warm hug in the cold. We made it even more tantalizing with an added spread of Nutella.

3. Poffertjes

Made with yeast and buckwheat flour, poffertjes are small pancakes served with butter and a sprinkle of powdered sugar. The stall that we ordered from also offers this puffed treat with different sorts of toppings ranging from strawberry and kinder chocolate to coffee. We opted for the caramel flavor with mini stroopwafels. The pancakes were fluffy but not as impressive as the fresh stroopwafel.

4. Herring

As popular as it is, herring is not for everybody. At least it’s not for me. Salted and frozen for a couple of days, the slimy raw fish has a pungent taste that has been loved by the Dutch for over 600 years. Today, you can find many street stalls selling this national favorite, which is cut into bite-sized pieces and served with onion and pickles. To do it justice, I encourage you to give it a go.

5. Churro

I know churros originated from Spain and Portugal, but there’re many dessert places selling this delicious fried dough in the heart of Amsterdam. The store that we went to even has their churros prepared in front of the customers. You can see the dough drop into the boiling pot of oil and turn into a beautiful golden color. It’s best enjoyed with thick chocolate sauce.

Please also check out my vlog in Amsterdam:)