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If you travel to the northern part of Belgium (also known as Flanders), you simply have to try the national dish: Stoverij (also known as Flemish stew or Flemish carbonade in English). Flemish stew is a dish that is loved and celebrated all over Flanders. You will often find it in Brussels and the south as well, under the name Carbonade Flamande.
What is Flemish Stew?
What is Flemish Stew?
Almost every country has some form of stew. Often it's made with local ingredients, spices, etc. This is of course the same with Flemish stew. You start with onions, carrots, beef or pork cheeks. But the secret ingredient that makes our stew different from others is of course: Belgian beer. Typically a dark brown beer that gives the stew a caramelized flavour.
In Ghent many people will add more local specialties such as peperkoek (spice cake), the local Tierentyn mustard, and of course one of the typical Ghent beers!
And if you want to go full Belgian style: add some mayonaise to top it all off!
Where to get it?
Where to get it?
You will be able to find Flemish stew on the menu of most Belgian restaurants in Ghent. But here's my personal suggestions:
Mémé Gusta is situated about 100m from the Gravensteen castle. It's a bit more hip and trendy, and they serve classic Belgian cuisine, but always with a modern twist. Besides stoverij they also serve a great Vol-au-Vent, North sea shrimp croquettes, etc. Definitely high on my list!
Bompa is located in Oudburg, a street with more than 20 restaurants next to each other. Bompa is a typical Dutch word for grandfather. They serve all kinds of Belgian dishes.
Abajour is another option if you go to Oudburg. Some classic Belgian dishes, combined with a good beer menu!
But going to a restaurant is only one option. The other: going to the Frituur. A frituur is basically a snackbar specialised in fries. They're loved and praised in Belgian culture and a true Belgian goes to a Frituur about once a week. And the best thing is: they also sell Flemish stew.
Frituur Hooiaard has a great stew. A snack bar right in the middle of the historical center. Want to spice things up? Try out the student speciality: Julientje (fries with stew sauce, a fried sausage, onions, mayo and spices).
Frituur Filip is one of the most authentic and popular spots in the city center. After 40 years of baking fries, Filip has retired and now his work continues in the hands of Hendrik. Although this place may look a bit shad, he sells a great stew at a very affordable price. Warning: skip this one if you're a vegan, because he bakes his fries in animal fat. Old school!
Frituur Tartaar is a modern frituur close by the Belfry. It has a trendy interior and they use vegetable oil for baking their fries, so it's safe for vegans. They also have a vegetarian version.
Where can I find vegetarian Flemish stew?
Where can I find vegetarian Flemish stew?
Ghent is a very young and hip city, so you can easily find vegetarian restaurants all over the city. You can find vegetarian stew in these businesses:
Mémé Gusta (restaurant): they have a vegan version and also a gluten-free Flemish stew.
De Stokerij (restaurant)
Frituur Tartaar
De Frietketel (frituur)
Chasse Patat (frituur)
So I hope you will love our most beloved dish just as much as the Ghentians. Want to try local food and drinks together with me as your guide? Take a look at my Food & Beer tasting tour.
Eet smakelijk - and don't forget to add your big spoon of mayonaise!
About Arn
About Arn
Hey! My name is Arn and I'm a professional tour guide in Ghent, Belgium. Are you visiting Ghent and would you like to really understand the city? Together, we can discover the story of Ghent.
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