Belgium is renowned for its culinary delights. From the charming streets of Brussels to the picturesque countryside, this small country boasts a remarkable gastronomic heritage that has captivated food enthusiasts from around the globe. While some traditional dishes like moules-frites (mussels and fries), waffles and chocolates are well-known and have become synonymous with Belgian cuisine, we bet you’ve never heard of these three typically Belgian dishes before!
The richness of the traditional Belgian cuisine
Beer and fries, chocolate and waffles: whoever thinks of Belgian cuisine, thinks of sweet, rich culinary delights. The Belgian kitchen not only has rich, strong flavours, but also a rich variety of dishes. Its traditional meals range from stew with Brussels sprouts and asparagus with hard-boiled eggs to chicory with ham in the oven. Substantial but refined food. There’s a reason why some people say that Belgian food is served in the quantity of German cuisine but with the quality of French food! Some dishes and flavours even blend perfectly with chocolate, which remains of course, the flagship of Belgian cuisine.
Three popular Belgian flavours to discover
Speculoos | These spiced, crispy biscuits are a beloved Belgian treat. Made with a blend of aromatic spices like cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves and ginger, speculoos are often enjoyed alongside a cup of coffee or used as an ingredient in desserts.Belgians love speculoos so much, they even invented a sandwich spread and ice cream with this flavour! Did you know that Rosalie’s Chocolates collection pairs speculoos with yet another Belgian favourite, Liège syrup. Treat yourself to this Belgian treasure here.
Carbonade Flamande | Also known as Flemish beef stew, this dish features tender beef slowly braised in beer, typically a Belgian ale. It is seasoned with onions, mustard, and herbs, resulting in a rich and savoury stew. Did you know that some people even add chocolate to their family stew recipe? A seductive sweet touch to this savoury dish! A stew with beer and chocolate: it doesn’t get more Belgian than that.
Cuberdons | Cuberdons are cone-shaped, soft, and chewy sweets with a raspberry flavour. The pairing of the sugary outer layer with a liquid, gooey centre is simply irresistible. Fun fact: these purple candies are commonly known als ‘Gentse neuzen’ (Ghent noses), because they are shaped like a nose. If you love cuberdons, you must try Rosalie’s Raspberry Ganache bonbon. This rich dark chocolate bonbon filled with fresh raspberry ganache creates a real flavour bomb!