Ingrid Hofstra grew up mingling with nature in the sleepy region of Frisia in The Netherlands, before moving to a small town nearby Amsterdam. The Dutch food photographer and journalist tells us about the beauty of Begijnhof, a hip hangout where you can chill by the beach, and what is the Dutch equivalent of a bratwurst.

Photo: Let’s Talk Evergreen 

What’s Dutch culture to you? 

Dutch culture is diverse, down to earth, and alive. 

What do you feel defines Dutch cuisine?

I think Dutch cuisine is defined by the rich agriculture we have, which means we eat lots of potatoes, dairy, and vegetables. Because of the influx of immigrants we also have grown to love Moroccan food, Indonesian food, and Turkish food. 

Photo: Let’s Talk Evergreen

What is the one local dish you feel travellers can’t leave Amsterdam without trying? 

People should never leave Amsterdam without having tried a frikandel speciaal. This is a sausage, a very unhealthy snack, but so good. The Germans have bratwurst. We have frikandel special. 

Where do you love to eat in Amsterdam?

My favourite places in Amsterdam to eat are Vuurtoreneiland, Scandinavian Embassy, and Happyhappyjoyjoy. 

Scandinavian Embassy. Photo: Let’s Talk Evergreen

Photo: Let’s Talk Evergreen

Name one best kept secret of Amsterdam

The best kept secret of Amsterdam to me is a visit to the Begijnhof. Here, you can find some of the oldest houses in the city, and you can enjoy the sunshine while sitting in the grass without all the tourists around you. Also, if you feel lost in the city, take the ferry to Noord, a newer area of Amsterdam with lots of hip places like Pllek. 

What would you recommend travellers do to experience Amsterdam as a local? 

I would enjoy Amsterdam for 3 days max, then take the train and go to Utrecht or Rotterdam, or perhaps small towns in the north where I am from. Rent a bike and enjoy our countryside. Amsterdam is not The Netherlands; people sometimes tend to forget. 

Utrecht. Photo: Let’s Talk Evergreen

Where can we go to see your favourite view of The Netherlands?

My favorite view… Man that is a tough one! We don’t have mountains or extreme nature, though I love spending time on our islands such as Vlieland, seeing the sun set on the beach there.

Where in the world is your favourite destination when it comes to food?

Perhaps New York – it’s all there. Whatever you are looking for, they have it. I will never forget some of the food I had there, for instance the cereal milk soft serve at Milk Bar. Amazing!

WHERE TO EAT IN AMSTERDAM

Vuurtoreneiland

Where: Vuurtoreneiland, Durgerdam, Netherlands

For: Dining on an island

Scandinavian Embassy

Where: Sarphatipark 34, 1072 PB Amsterdam, Netherlands

For: Coffee and brunch

Happyhappyjoyjoy

Where: Bilderdijkstraat 158HS, 1053 LC Amsterdam, Netherlands

For: Asian cuisine

WHERE TO GO IN AMSTERDAM

Begijnhof

Where: Gedempte Begijnensloot, 1012 RM Amsterdam, The Netherlands

For: Some of Amsterdam’s oldest houses

Pllek

Where: TT Neveritaweg 59, 1033 WB Amsterdam, Netherlands

For: Hip hangouts

Fishermen pal around with him. Home cooks bookmark his Youtube channel for fish recipes. Meet Bart van Olphen, the hero of sustainable fishing. From clam-diving with fisherwomen in India to salmon fishing with his friend Maxine in Alaska, he has made it his mission to feature the faces behind where all our seafood comes from. Catch what Bart has to say about how you should explore his hometown of Amsterdam, where to go for bagel and smoked salmon, and what you should do when eating raw herring. 

Photo: David Loftus

What do you feel defines Dutch cuisine?

For a long time, we were used to eating simple meals with lots of potatoes, in particular mashed potatoes with veggies and meat. Nowadays, the Dutch cuisine is much more multi-cultural thanks to all the different kinds of cultural food influences.

Bart van Olpen with a fisherman in The Netherlands from Bart’s Fish Tales. Photo: David Loftus

What are some local food you feel travellers can’t leave Amsterdam without trying?

Definitely kibbeling, those are deep fried fish nuggets. Then you have to try the lovely raw herring that you eat in one large bite. Okay, you don’t have to, but it’s the way you’re supposed to eat it.

For something sweet: poffertjes. Those are small pancakes topped with icing sugar and a lump of butter. As an alternative, croquette (kroket in Dutch) or little croquette balls (bitterballen in Dutch) with some mustard is also very nice. Last but not least, a dish you really have to try is green pea soup with smoked sausage or meatballs. I’m sure you’ll get addicted!

Boquerones and Tomato Bread from Bart’s Fish Tales. Photo: David Loftus

Grilled Tuna with Sesame and Soy Mayonaise from Bart’s Fish Tales. Photo: David Loftus

Where are your favourite restaurants in the city?

One of my favourites is Restaurant Bordewijk if you’re in for some pure and high class food. If you’re in for some fancy seafood, you can go to The Seafood Bar at Spui. On the other hand, you could eat at the lovely Le Petit Latin restaurant. The most famous Chinese restaurant is called Nam Kee, they even made a movie named after the restaurant; Oysters at Nam Kee’s. If you’re more into a nice brown café, Café Hoppe at Spui is the one. It’s very authentic with old-fashioned barrels behind the bar. The typical Dutch way is to order a fluitje (a flute). Another cosy but more modern café is Bar Spek.

What’s a typical Dutch breakfast for you? 

We don’t have a particular breakfast culture, but if you want to have a nice breakfast, I would refer you to Bagels & Beans. There, I really like to eat my weekly toasted bagel with smoked salmon. Delicious!

Bart van Olphen from Bart’s Fish Tales. Photo: David Loftus

Name one Dutch dining etiquette most travellers miss

If you eat a raw herring, you have to eat it in one piece! You grab the herring by its tail, throw your head back, let the herring slide in and enjoy the delicious taste of this lovely fish.

Another thing we are world famous for is Going Dutch. Most of you guys know this expression, which means every person pays for himself, and in some cases this is true. But nowadays even the Dutch are becoming a bit more sophisticated.

What is one Dutch food you can’t live without? 

Pan fried sole with a classic butter sauce. Lovely, I would not know how to live without it!

Fishermen in the Maldives from Bart’s Fish Tales. Photo: David Loftus

What would you recommend travellers do in Amsterdam to experience the city as a local?

Rent a bike and enjoy the new upcoming spots, such as de Pijp, or take the ferry with your bike to Amsterdam North.

Where can we go to see your favourite view in Amsterdam?

The beautiful white sandy coast of the Wadden Sea. If you’re lucky, you’ll see a seal or catch some delicious cockles. During low tide, you can even take a fantastic walk on the seabed.

Follow Bart’s adventures on his website, Instagram and Youtube.

WHERE TO EAT IN AMSTERDAM 

Restaurant Bordewijk

Where: Noordermarkt 7 /HS, 1015 MV Amsterdam 

For: French food with a Dutch twist

The Seafood Bar

Where: Spui 15, 1012 WX Amsterdam

For: Fresh seafood

Le Petit Latin

Where: RV The Netherlands, Nieuwezijds Voorburgwal 306, 1012 Amsterdam

For: French food

Nam Kee

Where: Geldersekade 117, 1011 EN Amsterdam

For: Chinese Cantonese food

Café Hoppe

Where: Spui 18-20, 1012 XA Amsterdam

For: One of Amsterdam’s oldest pubs

Bar Spek

Where: 1057, Admiraal de Ruijterweg 1, 1057 Amsterdam, Netherlands

For: Fried bread and nutella

Bagels & Beans

Where: Van Baerlestraat 40, 1071 Amsterdam 

For: Bagel and smoked salmon

WHERE TO GO IN AMSTERDAM 

De Pijp

Where: De Pijp District, Amsterdam

For: Café hopping and shopping

Wadden Sea

Where: Wadden Sea, Netherlands

For: Nature and seal watching