Belgian traditional cuisine was significantly influenced by the cuisines of Germany, the Netherlands, and France. Everyone must have heard about the magnificent Belgian chocolate, as well as the wonderful waffles and beer. Nevertheless, there are lots of dishes in the national cuisine that are also tasty and worth trying by everyone at least once in their life. Popular dishes in Belgium vary from region to region, but the basis of Belgian dishes customarily consists of asparagus, bread, potatoes, cabbage, tomatoes, chicken and rabbit meat, and when it comes to seafood, they prefer such an exotic dish as sea snails. According to some reports, everyone’s favorite potato fries originated precisely from Belgium. Belgians prefer ketchup to mayonnaise. Portions of dishes here are always large and satisfying.
As in any other European country, there are many shops, markets, shopping centers and boutiques in Belgium. Guests of the country will easily get into …
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Meat of periwinkle can be bought from street vendors in Belgium. Another popular meal from seafood is shrimps. They are often eaten with a few glasses of beer. They are usually filled with tomatoes or added to vegetable salads, mixed with mayonnaise. There is also the tender eel meat, stewed in herbs, which is eaten hot. The unusual combination of meatballs and cherries will delight any gourmet: meatballs are served in cherry sauce, with whole seedless cherries. In Belgium, residents also love meat rolls, boiled or roasted rabbit meat, chicken soup, and beef stew. Let us not forget to mention the Belgian cheeses, which are great in both number and variety. They differ from each other in tastes, hardness, as well as in the method of preparation. Sheep, Cow, Goat and Buffalo Milk are used in the preparation of these cheeses. However different, they all possess a characteristic excellent quality.
Although Belgian cuisine is not vegetarian, as it is almost entirely made of meat and seafood, the locals eat quite a lot of vegetables. Asparagus, especially the white one, is very popular in Belgium. White asparagus has a more delicate flavor. When boiled, it is added to many dishes, especially those that contain eggs or salmon, making the food even more satisfying. Sometimes white asparagus is added even in desserts, for example, in ice cream. The Belgians love “Stoemp”; mashed potatoes mixed with vegetables. Carrots, potatoes, leeks are added to meat dishes, while fruits can be found in many desserts. Potato soup is also quite popular. Copyright www.orangesmile.com
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Belgians often eat sweet bread for breakfast, sometimes replacing it with raisin bread. Chocolates made in Belgium are known all over the world for their high quality. You will find here, tiles of white, dark and milk chocolate with raisins, orange, mint, nuts, rum, cookies, caramel; sets of chocolate sweets in the form of hearts, shells with various fillings and milk and coffee flavor; praline, hot chocolate. Belgium can therefore without exaggeration be called a chocolate country. Waffles are eaten with caramel, ice cream, vanilla, whipped cream, or fruit, sometimes without supplement. They are used as a dessert and as a snack.
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In the middle of the day, many Belgians like to drink beer, and at dinner, it is common to drink some traditional strong Genever. With regards to soft drinks, residents of Belgium drink tea, coffee, soda, juices, milk, and milkshakes. On holidays in the country, special donuts are eaten, which are called “Oliebollen”. During the winter holidays, these sweets with powdered sugar on top are sold at every corner. At Christmas, they eat goose, turkey or lamb, mussels, apples, peaches, and cherries, as well as a variety of sweets bought at the Christmas market. The cake roll “Yule log” is an absolute must-have on any table.
Belgium is not the most popular country for tourism. However, there are wonderful hotels and motels here, some of which are unusual and unique. The …
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The table etiquettes in Belgium are not much different from the rules of dining etiquette in other European countries. It is customary to hold your hands on the table, avoiding putting your elbows on it. Putting your hands on your knees is considered inappropriate. Guests do not have to choose places at the table on their own as they will be seated by the host. More often, the spouses are seated separately. All food on a plate must be eaten. Alcohol offered by the host should be accepted. In a cafe or restaurant, waiters are called either with a raised hand or an eye contact, snapping of the fingers and screaming is considered uncultured. You cannot use a toothpick being at the table. For this, you need to retire to the bathroom having apologized. And of course, you cannot get into your mouth with your fingers, pick your teeth with a knife or fork.
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Tourists wishing to visit Belgian catering places are advised to go to the bakery in Brussels, “Charli”, which has been pleasing visitors wonderfully for almost ten years with superb coffee and remarkably fresh pastries. All this you can enjoy on a neat table, and in a relaxed atmosphere. The metropolitan “Cafe Velvet” is famous for Colombian coffee, milkshakes, sweet cakes, and excellent service. In Bruges, there is a traditional Belgian cuisine restaurant “Belgian Pigeon House”. It consists of a bar and a small underground restaurant. Meals here are served like real Belgian portions, so it is best to come here on an empty stomach.
Belgian traditional cuisine was significantly influenced by the cuisines of Germany, the Netherlands, and France. Everyone must have heard about the magnificent Belgian chocolate, as well as the wonderful waffles and beer. Nevertheless, there are lots of dishes in the national cuisine that are also tasty and worth trying by everyone at least once in their life. Popular dishes in Belgium vary from region to region, but the basis of Belgian dishes customarily consists of asparagus, bread, potatoes, cabbage, tomatoes, chicken and rabbit meat, and when it comes to seafood, they prefer such an exotic dish as sea snails. According to some reports, everyone’s favorite potato fries originated precisely from Belgium. Belgians prefer ketchup to mayonnaise. Portions of dishes here are always large and satisfying.
In the middle of the day, many Belgians like to drink beer, and at dinner, it is common to drink some traditional strong Genever. With regards to soft drinks, residents of Belgium drink tea, coffee, soda, juices, milk, and milkshakes. On holidays in the country, special donuts are eaten, which are called “Oliebollen”. During the winter holidays, these sweets with powdered sugar on top are sold at every corner. At Christmas, they eat goose, turkey or lamb, mussels, apples, peaches, and cherries, as well as a variety of sweets bought at the Christmas market. The cake roll “Yule log” is an absolute must-have on any table.
Tourists wishing to visit Belgian catering places are advised to go to the bakery in Brussels, “Charli”, which has been pleasing visitors wonderfully for almost ten years with superb coffee and remarkably fresh pastries. All this you can enjoy on a neat table, and in a relaxed atmosphere. The metropolitan “Cafe Velvet” is famous for Colombian coffee, milkshakes, sweet cakes, and excellent service. In Bruges, there is a traditional Belgian cuisine restaurant “Belgian Pigeon House”. It consists of a bar and a small underground restaurant. Meals here are served like real Belgian portions, so it is best to come here on an empty stomach. 
