A FOOD TRADITION

Belgian coastal cuisine

Belgian coastal cuisine is the North Sea tradition associated with the Belgian coast and its fishing towns, shaped by marine trade, seasonal catches, and interaction with neighboring Dutch and northern French foodways. Its staples include North Sea fish, mussels, grey shrimp, potatoes, leeks, butter, cream, herbs, and beer. Common techniques include frying, poaching, steaming, baking, smoking, and preparing seafood in broths or croquettes. Representative examples include moules-frites, steamed mussels with fries; garnaalkroketten, fried grey-shrimp croquettes; and fish waterzooi, a creamy fish stew. The tradition is regional and shared, rather than a claim that these dishes originated only in Belgium.

Catalogue preview Cuisine connections may be unreviewed. Regional comparisons include their food references and do not establish the ingredients of a particular meal.