Netherlands: Kevin Hsu (Food in Amsterdam)

Program: UW Markets, Mindsets & Money in the Netherlands, Summer

One of the first foods I tried after arriving in Amsterdam was these Dutch mini pancakes called “poffertjes” at this cafe called MAMA Pancake. Before coming to the Netherlands, I had seen them all over my TikTok feed and knew I had to try them at least once while I was here. Mine came covered with cinnamon apples, whipped cream, powdered sugar, and syrup, and the pancakes themselves were way softer and fluffier than I expected. They almost melted when I cut into them, and I honestly finished the whole plate way faster than I thought I would. I also tried Dutch Fanta for the first time, and I must say it somehow tasted less sugary and honestly better than the version back home in the United States.

The best part was sitting there eating while looking outside at the sun shining over the canals and seeing bikes pass by every few seconds. Although the poffertjes were a little expensive for the portion size, I still think they were completely worth it because it ended up being one of my favorite food experiences so far in Amsterdam.

I was also very surprised by how diverse the food scene is in Amsterdam. Just walking around the city, I’ve already passed Indonesian restaurants, Turkish bakeries, Surinamese food shops, ramen places, and grocery stores carrying foods from all over the world. I did not expect to see so many different cultures and cuisines mixed together within just a few blocks of each other. I definitely think the food here has been one of the easiest ways for me to notice how globally connected the city is. I highly recommend trying local cafés and foods while studying abroad because I honestly think food is one of the easiest ways to experience what everyday life in a city actually feels like, and if you ever visit Amsterdam, the Dutch mini pancakes are definitely a must try.