The Most Popular Belgian Food, Ranked
Voting rules: Choose the food you think is the most popular!
Updated on May 3, 2024 06:30
Choosing where to dine can sometimes feel overwhelming, especially when presented with the rich culinary offerings of Belgium. To simplify these decisions, many people find it useful to refer to a list of top-rated foods. Such lists offer a comprehensive overview, helping to align meal choices with crowd favorites, ensuring a delightful dining experience.
Our system allows diners to participate actively by voting for their preferred Belgian dishes. Each vote helps to shape the rankings, reflecting real-time preferences and trends. This dynamic voting process not only enhances the accuracy of the list but also engages the community, making everyone’s dining experience a bit more tailored and enjoyable.
What Is the Most Popular Belgian Food?
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176votesThis classic Belgian dish consisting of mussels and fries is a staple in many Belgian restaurants and is enjoyed by locals and tourists alike. The mussels are cooked in a white wine and shallot broth, and then served with crispy fries.Moules-frites is a traditional Belgian dish consisting of mussels and fries. The mussels are typically cooked in a flavorful broth, often made with white wine, onions, celery, and herbs. The fries, known as 'frites' in Belgium, are usually double-fried until crispy and served alongside the mussels. This dish is popular across Belgium and is considered a national specialty.
- Origin: Belgium
- Main Ingredients: Mussels, fries
- Cooking Method: Steaming or boiling mussels in a broth
- Broth Ingredients: White wine, onions, celery, herbs
- Serving Style: Mussels served with fries on the side
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243votesBelgium is famous for its waffles, and they are enjoyed all over the world. The waffles are typically made with a yeast-leavened batter, which gives them their signature fluffy texture. They are usually served with a variety of toppings, including fruit, whipped cream, and chocolate sauce.Belgian Waffles are a famous type of waffle originating from Belgium. They have a light and fluffy texture with deep square pockets that are perfect for holding toppings. Belgian Waffles are often enjoyed for breakfast or as a dessert. They are known for their sweet and buttery flavor.
- Shape: Rectangular shape with deep square pockets
- Texture: Light and fluffy
- Toppings: Common toppings include powdered sugar, fresh fruits, whipped cream, chocolate sauce, or maple syrup
- Serving: Typically served warm
- Type of batter: Yeasted or unleavened batter
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323votes
Jiel Beaumadier · CC BY-SA 4.0This hearty beef stew is a popular comfort food in Belgium, especially during the colder months. The beef is slow-cooked in a mixture of beer, onions, and spices, resulting in a rich and flavorful dish that is perfect for soaking up with bread.Carbonade Flamande is a traditional Belgian dish consisting of tender beef slowly stewed in beer, typically dark or amber, along with onions and seasonings. The result is a rich and hearty beef stew with a deep, savory flavor. The dish is often served with Belgian fries or mashed potatoes, allowing the crispy fries or smooth mash to soak up the delicious sauce.- Type: Main dish, stew
- Main ingredient: Beef
- Beer: Dark or amber beer
- Additional ingredients: Onions, seasonings
- Serving suggestion: Belgian fries or mashed potatoes
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417votesThese spiced cookies are a beloved snack in Belgium and are often served with coffee or tea. The cookies are made with a blend of cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, and cloves, giving them a warm and cozy flavor. They are also used in many other Belgian desserts, such as speculoos ice cream and speculoos cheesecake.Speculoos, also known as Speculaas, is a traditional Belgian spiced shortcrust biscuit. It is typically made with a blend of aromatic spices including cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, ginger, and cardamom. The biscuit has a distinctively crunchy texture and a rich, caramelized flavor.
- Shape: Thin, flat biscuit with various shapes like windmills, Sinterklaas figures, or simply rectangular.
- Ingredients: Wheat flour, butter, brown sugar, spices (cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, ginger, cardamom), and sometimes almonds.
- Texture: Crunchy, crumbly, and brittle texture.
- Flavor: Rich, caramelized, and mildly spiced flavor with distinct notes of cinnamon and nutmeg.
- Complementary Pairings: Speculoos is often enjoyed with a cup of coffee, tea, or as an accompaniment to desserts like ice cream or mousse.
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516votesThis creamy stew is a specialty of the city of Ghent and is made with chicken, fish, or sometimes vegetables. The broth is thickened with cream and egg yolks, giving it a velvety texture, and is flavored with herbs such as thyme and parsley.Waterzooi is a traditional Belgian dish that originated in the city of Ghent. It is a creamy stew-like soup made with chicken or fish, vegetables such as carrots, leeks, and potatoes, and seasoned with herbs like thyme and parsley. The name 'Waterzooi' means 'to boil in water' in Dutch, referring to the cooking technique used for this dish.
- Origin: Ghent, Belgium
- Main Ingredients: Chicken or fish, vegetables, herbs
- Cooking Method: Boiling in water
- Consistency: Creamy and stew-like
- Tradition: Considered a classic Flemish dish
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610votesBelgian fries are a beloved snack and are often served with various sauces, such as mayonnaise, ketchup, and curry ketchup. They are typically thicker than French fries and are fried twice, resulting in a crispy exterior and fluffy interior.Frites, also known as Belgian fries, are a type of fried potato dish that originated in Belgium. They are typically served as a popular street food or as a side dish in various Belgian cuisine establishments. Frites are loved for their crispy exterior and soft interior. They are usually served in a paper cone with a choice of sauces, such as mayonnaise, ketchup, or Belgian specialty sauces like Andalouse or Samourai.
- Potato type: Traditionally made with Bintje potatoes, which are high-starch potatoes with a fluffy texture.
- Cut: Frites are typically cut into long, thick strips or batons, typically about 10mm by 10mm in size.
- Double-frying method: Frites are cooked using a two-step frying process. They are blanched in oil at a lower temperature first, then fried at a higher temperature to achieve a crisp outer shell.
- Type of fat: Traditionally, frites were cooked in beef tallow, but nowadays, vegetable oils or blends are commonly used as well.
- Crispiness: Frites are known for their crispy exterior, achieving the golden color and crunchiness through the frying process.
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79votesThese waffles are a specialty of the city of Liege and are made with a dough instead of a batter. The dough is studded with sugar pearls, which caramelize during cooking, giving the waffles a crispy and sweet exterior. They are often eaten plain or with powdered sugar.Liege waffles are a type of Belgian waffle that originated in the city of Liege. They are typically smaller and denser than the familiar Brussels waffles. The dough for Liege waffles is made from a sweet, yeasted dough that is enriched with ingredients such as pearl sugar, vanilla, and sometimes even cinnamon. The dough is then cooked on a specialized waffle iron, resulting in waffles that are crispy on the outside and soft and chewy on the inside.
- Origin: Liege, Belgium
- Size: Smaller than Brussels waffles
- Texture: Crispy on the outside, soft and chewy on the inside
- Ingredients: Sweet, yeasted dough with pearl sugar, vanilla, and sometimes cinnamon
- Cooking method: Specialized waffle iron
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86votesThis beef stew is similar to carbonade flamande but is made with a different type of beer and is typically sweeter in flavor. It is a popular dish in the Flemish region of Belgium and is often served with fries or mashed potatoes.Stoofvlees is a traditional Belgian dish, also known as Flemish beef stew. It consists of tender chunks of beef simmered in a rich and flavorful sauce, typically made with beer and beef broth. The dish is slow-cooked to perfection, allowing the meat to become tender and infused with the savory flavors of the sauce. Stoofvlees is often served with a side of Belgian fries or creamy mashed potatoes, making it a hearty and satisfying meal.
- Main Ingredient: Beef
- Sauce: Made with beer and beef broth
- Cooking Method: Slow-cooked
- Texture: Tender chunks of meat
- Flavor: Rich and savory
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910votesBelgian chocolates are renowned around the world for their high quality and rich flavor. Chocolate shops can be found in almost every Belgian city, and there are many different types of chocolate to choose from, including pralines, truffles, and chocolate bars.Chocolates are a beloved Belgian food known for their rich and exquisite taste. They are typically made from high-quality cocoa beans and have a smooth and velvety texture. The chocolates are often filled with various flavors, such as nuts, fruits, caramel, or praline, which adds extra depth to their taste. Belgian chocolates are internationally recognized for their superior quality and craftsmanship.
- Cocoa content: Minimum 35% cocoa solids for milk chocolate, minimum 55% cocoa solids for dark chocolate.
- Variety: Various flavors including milk, dark, white chocolate, and filled chocolates.
- Ingredients: Cocoa beans, sugar, cocoa butter, milk or cream, and various additional flavors and fillings.
- Production process: Meticulous process including bean roasting, grinding, conching, molding, and hand-finishing.
- Artisanal craftsmanship: Many Belgian chocolatiers are renowned for their traditional and handcrafted techniques.
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101votes
Brussels Sprouts
BelgiumWhile Brussels sprouts may not be the most exciting food on this list, they are a vegetable that is closely associated with Belgium. The miniature cabbages are often roasted or sautéed with bacon or other flavorful ingredients, making them a tasty and healthy side dish.Brussels Sprouts are a leafy green vegetable that resembles miniature cabbages. They belong to the Brassicaceae family and are often served as a side dish or used in various recipes. Brussels Sprouts have a distinctive, slightly bitter taste and a dense texture.- Origin: Belgium
- Scientific Name: Brassica oleracea var. gemmifera
- Appearance: Small, round, green leafy vegetable
- Size: About 2.5 cm (1 inch) in diameter
- Harvest Season: Late summer to early spring
Brussels Sprouts in other rankings- Position 1 of 10 in Most popular vegetable at Christmas
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Ranking factors for popular food
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Traditional importanceConsider the food's history and significance in Belgian culture and regional cuisine. Does it have a long-standing tradition or is it a relatively new addition to the culinary landscape?
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Local ingredients and flavorsThe dish should utilize quintessential Belgian ingredients and showcase the unique flavors and techniques of the country's cooking.
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Popularity among localsThe food should be well-loved and regularly consumed by Belgians themselves, not just tourists.
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Presence in restaurants and cafesWidespread availability and a strong presence in restaurants, cafes, and other eateries are a good indication of a dish's popularity.
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Popularity in different regionsA truly popular Belgian food should be enjoyed across different regions and communities in Belgium.
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Versatility and varietyPopular Belgian dishes may have various regional variations and adaptions, showcasing the flexibility of the dish and its importance in both traditional and contemporary cuisine.
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Recognition and reputation abroadThe dish's popularity outside of Belgium and its representation of Belgian cuisine globally can also play an essential role in determining its significance.
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Role in Belgian celebrations and eventsThe extent to which the food is associated with celebrations, festivals, and special occasions can reflect its importance and popularity within Belgian culture.
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Ratings and reviewsCheck out online reviews, articles, and restaurant rankings featuring Belgian foods to gauge the general opinion of locals and tourists regarding the popularity and taste of different dishes.
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Timelessness and enduranceA popular Belgian food should have staying power, remaining a beloved dish over time and becoming an essential part of the country's gastronomic identity.
About this ranking
This is a community-based ranking of the most popular Belgian food. We do our best to provide fair voting, but it is not intended to be exhaustive. So if you notice something or food is missing, feel free to help improve the ranking!
Statistics
- 2531 views
- 211 votes
- 10 ranked items
Voting Rules
A participant may cast an up or down vote for each food once every 24 hours. The rank of each food is then calculated from the weighted sum of all up and down votes.
More information on most popular belgian food
Belgian cuisine is a delightful mix of French, German and Dutch influences with a unique twist. Known for its rich flavors, hearty portions, and indulgent treats, Belgian cuisine is a food lover's paradise. From waffles to chocolate, beer to fries, there's no shortage of deliciousness in Belgian cuisine. But when it comes to the most popular Belgian food, there are a few dishes that stand out. So, what is the most popular Belgian food? Let's take a look at some of the top contenders.
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