University of Wisconsin–Madison

Netherlands: Vanessa Ivanov (Food in Utrecht)

Walk around the city center of Utrecht peeking at restaurant menus and you are guaranteed to find something for every tastebud. Beholden to international influence, there are restaurants catering to diverse demographics, with everything from classic Dutch to Japanese sushi to Indian curry available if you know where to look for it. There are, of course, the fast food places you would see in the US like McDonald’s, KFC, or Dunkin Donut’s, and even these have their menus adapted to the local context. If you are craving Dutch fast food, I highly recommend Frietwinkel. The iconic bitterballen and croquettes served at this establishment are really good and of course you cannot go wrong with just fries. Interestingly, mayo is the condiment sauce of choice, and while this may seem different at first, mayo here is different [better] than mayo at home and should not be dismissed as a dipping sauce.

A black rectangular container filled with kibbeling, which is a fried fish dish. The kibbeling are small, differently shaped items that are fried. There is also a white dipping sauce.
Kibbeling from the Saturday market in front of the Hoog Catherine on 23 August 2025

Bitterballen are a type of thickened meat stew fried into bite size pieces. Croquettes are a longer version of bitterballen, often eaten as part of a meal rather than a snack. Be careful when taking your first bite! The inside will be hot and you don’t want to burn your mouth—trust me as someone who did this. Take it slow as the potato meat stuffing in these two is more filling than you would expect.

Visit any famer’s market, such as the one by the Hoog Catherine on Saturdays, and you will be met with stalls of fish (vis) vendors selling their fresh catches as well as kibbeling, a fried fish snack with a dipping sauce. Going for groceries and stopping by for lunch and people-watching is a must during your time in the city.

A headshot of Vanessa, a female student. She has long dark brown hair and is smiling at the camera with her mouth closed. She is wearing white and the background is blurry

Vanessa Ivanov

Hometown: Germantown, Wisconsin

Major: Economics (Math Emphasis)

Program: University College Utrecht Honors Exchange

In my study abroad search, I was driven by three priorities: program rigor, local immersion, and opportunities for self-growth. I found that the Netherlands, with its history of international cooperation and cultural exchange, offered a unique setting to deepen my academic pursuits while advancing my personal and professional development. I am very excited to spend my semester in Utrecht learning about local food, customs, and traditions to better understand a country outside of my own.