A Guide to Leiden’s Street Food Scene

Leiden, the Netherlands is renowned for its delicious and varied street food. From traditional Dutch snacks to modern fusion dishes, there’s something to satisfy every palate. Whether you’re visiting for a weekend break or just passing through, you won’t want to miss out on the city’s unique and exciting street food scene. This guide will take you through the best places to find delicious street food in Leiden, from the classic to the new and exciting.

Traditional Dutch Snacks

No trip to Leiden would be complete without trying some of its traditional Dutch snacks. The city is known for its herring, which can be found at most street food stalls. If you’re feeling adventurous, try it raw, served with diced onions and pickles. Alternatively, you can get it cooked in a variety of ways, from fried to smoked. Other classic Dutch snacks include poffertjes, small, fluffy pancakes dusted with icing sugar, and kroketten, deep-fried rolls of ragout-filled dough. Both are delicious with a dollop of mustard.

For a more substantial snack, try a broodje kroket. This is a sandwich made with a roll filled with a kroket, mayonnaise, and chopped onions. It’s a tasty and filling snack that can be found at most street food stalls in Leiden. You can also find Dutch favorites such as bitterballen, a deep-fried snack made of ragout, and kaasstengels, deep-fried cheese sticks.

For a sweet treat, try a Dutch stroopwafel. These are thin waffles made from two thin layers of dough with a layer of syrup in the middle. They can be found in most street food stalls in Leiden and make for a delicious snack.

Fusion Street Food

Leiden is home to a number of exciting fusion street food stalls. These stalls offer a unique mix of flavours, combining traditional Dutch snacks with global cuisines. You can find dishes such as kapsalon, a dish of fries topped with doner kebab meat, cheese, and sauces, and the infamous Dutch taco, a large flatbread filled with a variety of fillings, including falafel, hummus, and salad.

Fusion street food is becoming increasingly popular in Leiden. You can find stalls offering dishes such as sliders, mini burgers filled with a variety of fillings, and bao buns, steamed buns filled with pork belly, cucumber, and hoisin sauce. There are also stalls offering more unusual dishes, such as Japanese okonomiyaki, a savoury pancake made with a variety of ingredients, and Vietnamese banh mi sandwiches, filled with pork, pickled vegetables, and herbs.

If you’re feeling adventurous, you can also find dishes such as Dutch sushi, a fusion of Japanese and Dutch ingredients, and Dutch-Indonesian rijsttafel, a sharing platter of small dishes. Whatever you choose, you’re sure to find something to tantalize your taste buds!

Vegetarian and Vegan Options

Leiden is also home to a number of vegetarian and vegan street food stalls. These stalls offer a range of dishes, from falafel and falafel burgers to vegan wraps and salads. You can also find a variety of vegan-friendly snacks, such as vegan bitterballen, deep-fried vegan balls filled with vegetables, and vegan poffertjes, small pancakes made with plant-based milk.

For a more substantial meal, try a vegan buddha bowl, a vibrant mix of grains, vegetables, and beans topped with a variety of dressings, sauces, and herbs. There are also plenty of vegan desserts to try, such as vegan stroopwafels and vegan ice cream. Whatever you choose, you’re sure to find something to satisfy your vegan cravings!

International Street Food

Leiden is also home to a number of international street food stalls. These stalls offer a range of dishes from all over the world, from Mexican tacos and burritos to Indian samosas and bhajis. You can also find stalls offering Chinese dumplings, Japanese gyoza, and Thai curries. Most stalls offer a variety of vegetarian and vegan options, so there’s something to suit all tastes and dietary requirements.

If you’re feeling adventurous, you can also find stalls offering more unusual dishes, such as African jollof rice, a one-pot dish of rice, vegetables, and spices, and Filipino kare-kare, a stew of beef and vegetables. Whatever you choose, you’re sure to find something to tantalize your taste buds!

Seafood Street Food

Leiden is also home to a number of seafood street food stalls. These stalls offer a range of dishes, from classic Dutch herring to more exotic dishes such as seafood paella and prawn tempura. You can also find dishes such as fish and chips, calamari, and fish tacos. Most stalls offer a variety of vegetarian and vegan options, so there’s something to suit all tastes and dietary requirements.

If you’re feeling adventurous, you can also find stalls offering more unusual dishes, such as seafood curry, a spicy stew of fish, vegetables, and spices, and fried soft-shell crab, a crispy and delicious snack. Whatever you choose, you’re sure to find something to tantalize your taste buds!

Street Food Markets

If you’re looking to sample a variety of Leiden’s street food, a visit to one of the city’s street food markets is a must. These markets are held weekly and offer a range of dishes from all over the world, including Dutch, international, vegetarian, and vegan options. The markets are a great way to sample a variety of dishes in one go, and most stalls offer generous portions at reasonable prices.

The markets are a great place to meet locals and experience the city’s street food culture. You can find stalls offering dishes such as Dutch bitterballen, Indian samosas, and Mexican tacos, as well as stalls selling snacks such as herring and poffertjes. There are also stalls offering more unusual dishes, such as Dutch sushi and Japanese okonomiyaki. Whatever you choose, you’re sure to find something to tantalize your taste buds!

Street Food Tours

If you’re looking for a more immersive experience, why not try a street food tour? These tours take you to some of the city’s best street food spots, where you can sample a range of dishes from all over the world. Most tours include stops at traditional Dutch snack stalls, fusion street food stalls, and international street food stalls, as well as stops at a variety of other food spots, such as bakeries and breweries. The tours are a great way to sample a variety of dishes in one go and get a real taste of Leiden’s street food scene.

The tours are also a great way to meet locals and learn about the city’s street food culture. Most tours include stops at a variety of food spots, where you can chat with the stallholders and learn more about the dishes they’re offering. You’ll also get to sample some of the city’s best street food dishes, from classic Dutch snacks to more unusual fusion dishes.

Street Food Festivals

Leiden is also home to a number of street food festivals throughout the year. These festivals offer a range of dishes from all over the world, including Dutch, international, vegetarian, and vegan options. The festivals are a great way to sample a variety of dishes in one go and get a real taste of Leiden’s street food scene. Most festivals also include live music and entertainment, making them a great day out for the whole family.

The festivals are a great way to meet locals and experience the city’s street food culture. You can find stalls offering dishes such as Dutch bitterballen, Indian samosas, and Mexican tacos, as well as stalls selling snacks such as herring and poffertjes. There are also stalls offering more unusual dishes, such as Dutch sushi and Japanese okonomiyaki. Whatever you choose, you’re sure to find something to tantalize your taste buds!

Street Food Delivery

If you’re looking to sample Leiden’s street food but don’t have time to visit the stalls, you can also opt for delivery. A number of local street food vendors offer delivery services, so you can enjoy the city’s street food from the comfort of your home. Most vendors offer a range of dishes from all over the world, including Dutch, international, vegetarian, and vegan options.

Delivery is a great way to sample Leiden’s street food without having to leave the house. You can choose from dishes such as Dutch bitterballen, Indian samosas, and Mexican tacos, as well as snacks such as herring and poffertjes. You can also opt for more unusual dishes, such as Dutch sushi and Japanese okonomiyaki. Whatever you choose, you’re sure to find something to tantalize your taste buds!

Conclusion

Leiden is a vibrant city with a unique and exciting street food scene. From classic Dutch snacks to modern fusion dishes, there’s something to satisfy every palate. Whether you’re visiting for a weekend break or just passing through, you won’t want to miss out on the city’s street food. This guide is a great starting point for exploring Leiden’s street food scene, from the classic to the new and exciting. If you’re looking for a truly immersive experience, why not try a street food tour or visit one of the city’s street food markets? Whatever you choose, you’re sure to find something to tantalize your taste buds!