Saturday Market in Kampen, Netherlands: Raw Herring and Deep-Fried Codfish

In October last year I went to visit Bru in Kampen, in the eastern part of the Netherlands. She has this marvelous double life, a domesticated goddess in Kampen during the weekend and a career woman in Amsterdam during the week. Some people would think she is living the best of both worlds. Well, I cannot blame them =)

 On our way to Kampen city centre at the Cellebroederspoort, one of the remaining three gates standing in this once walled medieval city.

Kampen Saturday ‘Plantage’ Market

Tha Saturday market in Kampen is called ‘Binnenstad Plantage Markt’ which is located in the city centre, on the Plantage Square. It is very easy to find this because Kampen is small. I will show you pictures of beautiful Kampen on my next entry. For now this will be about food and typical traditional Dutch treats that is.

Flowers are staple in every Dutch market and they are cheap here compared to the rest of the world. Tip: As everywhere in the Netherlands, wait for the end of the day to buy them at 50% off. You can buy 2-4 dozens of flowers (depending on which flower) for 5 euros or less and a lovely pre-arranged bouquet of assorted flowers for just 7-8 euros.

The main saturday market is in the Plantage, a square ringed with cafe terraces in the city centre.

Smoked fish is popular in North Europe. I think the Netherlands though is somewhat divided when it comes to fish. Seriously, there is a 50-50 divide between fish and non-fish eaters in this country. The non-fish eaters mainly complain of the smell.

Vlaskaas is Flax Cheese, it is creamy and sweet.... and paired with Vlasbier (Flax Beer) naturally... all made from flax seeds.

Bru buying some assorted gourmet nuts.

Typical Dutch Food: Haring and Kibbeling

Haring (raw herring) and kibbeling (deep-fried cod) are typical Dutch treats that I love. I indulge in them from time to time. Bru loved them as well, in fact she promised me these fish delights for the day.

There are three ways to eat raw herring in the Netherlands:

(1) Raw herring in a sandwich bun + onions and pickles (broodje haring)
(2) Holding the tail of the whole raw herring up in the air, you eat it slowly, bit by bit + onions and pickles (aan de staart)
(3) Cut raw herring + onions and pickles (in stukjes gesneden)

I prefer number 3.

Cut raw herring with onions. Where's the pickles? If you prefer your raw herring like this, you have to tell the fish monger.

Kibbeling (deep-fried cod fish). Lekker. You can eat them with or without sauce.

If you are a seafood lover and are in the Netherlands, go to the fishmonger and try these traditional delights. In the bigger cities, you might spot a fish vendor van on a corner selling these. Try of course!

Travel Period: October 2013
Destination: Kampen (Overijssel), The Netherlands

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