Taste of Belgium: typical Belgian food you should try

The cuisine of Belgium is a cuisine that is influenced by the French gastronomic culture but has been able to restore it, often in a very convincing and original way.

The evening plate, the main one and of family recollection, is generally a single dish to which a dessert is associated or at least a small appetizer, to complete the necessary caloric intake.

The proximity of the sea has allowed different variations with fish, but also game or cold cuts and patés, the latter coming from the Ardennes area, should certainly not be overlooked.

10 typical dishes not to miss in Belgium

Carbonnades Flamandes

Hearty beef stew similar to Beef Bourguignon, but cooked with beer.

Chicon Au Gratin

Pieces of endives wrapped in a slice of ham, topped with béchamel sauce and blanketed in melted cheese.

Moules-frites

A bowl of mussels cooked in white wine broth served with a plate of Belgian fries.

Filet Américain

Finely minced ground beef, topped with sauce Americain, and served with fries and bread.

Boulets

Big meatballs usually made of beef and pork meat and served in a tomato sauce.

Frites

Thick cut french fries, served with sauces for dipping.

Waterzooi

Hearty fish or chicken and vegetable stew made using eggs and butter.

Gaufre

 A buttery brioche dough waffle with chunks of caramelized sugar on the crust.

Speculoos

Spiced shortbread cookies.

Tarte au Riz

Sweet flan filled with a custardy mixture of rice and milk and glazed with egg.

Beer

Belgium is considered by many to be a paradise for beer lovers thanks to more than 1500 original beers, drunk in special glasses, just to enhance and make unique the tasting experience. The position of privilege held by the nation is also confirmed by the fact that since 2016 the Culture of Belgian Beer has been registered in the UNESCO Intangible Heritage List.

Connoisseurs adore Belgian beer for its uniqueness, variety, flavor, and body. In Belgium, there are many variations ranging from proposals to the taste of raspberry or cherry to white beers, from flemish oud red and dark to Trappist beers to the most famous, the Lambic and the Geuze.