You’re not hardcore (unless you live hardcore)
japra | Apr 08, 2008 | Comments 11
So, you remember I wanted to eat at this Haring Stand when I was in Den Haag last time? Roxi and I managed to make it there this time on our last day (more on that later). This stand is near the Binnehof, which we managed to miss again, darn it!
Yes, I tried it. “It” being this tempting bit of Dutch Herring or Haring. The server asked if I wanted it in a sandwich, but I had ordered two other things for our lunch, so I said I just wanted it straight up. It was only for a taste, after all..
So, I think I am probably moderately adventurous when it comes to food. I can do raw seafood–oysters and sushi, that’s easy! Based on that experience, I thought I would like the herring. And in fact, the fish tasted okay. The only trouble I had with it was the texture, which made it sort of an overwhelming experience. The fish was soft and slightly slimy or maybe vaguely oily. Sinking my teeth into such a thick, slightly soft piece of raw flesh really didn’t do it for me. It probably would have been better in bite-sized pieces. Some lemon or wasabi and soy sauce would have been good too. Or maybe not. As it was, I think I must have looked a bit squeamish, because Roxi declined when I offered her a bite. If you want to read more about it, here’s Wikipedia’s take on Soused Herring.
Here’s what we really ordered–Kibbelingen (I’ve seen it spelled Kibbeling, too). The fish was very fresh, and we really enjoyed this Dutch version of fish-and-chips-minus-the-chips. You get a frail little plastic cocktail fork with your meal. I managed to drop mine at the start and had to use my fingers. I hope I didn’t offend anyone. By the way, you can get your Kibbeling with sauce on the side (or no sauce if you prefer). I just said “yes” to sauce and got a very mild tarter-style sauce. There were about seven dips to choose from. Sorry, the only one I could understand was chili..
By the way, if you’re wondering what’s in the wrapped paper on the left, it’s my guilty secret–most of the uneaten herring.
.
Hollandes Nieuwe Haring is a very popular herring stand packed at lunch time with professionals in suits. How they managed to eat their Kibbelingen standing up without dropping anything on their work clothes–well, it must be the same skill they use to steer their bicycles one-handed through traffic and talk on the phone at the same time.
.
And in case you were wondering:
One Haring: €1.90
One generous order of Kibbelingen (enough to split): €3.50
Filed Under: Blog
About the Author: JaPRA is an expat Texan living in England with her husband (Mr. DJ), their 17-year old daughter (Roxi), and their dog Trudy.
Oh my gosh!! That looks so disgusting. I actually saw a show on this food and I just about gagged watching it on tv. I can’t imagine actually taking a bite out of it. You are brave!
The other thing looked good though! :-)
Definitely hard core. I like fish, but not fishy fish and definitely not oily fishy fish. Good for you for trying it. I’d have given it a go myself…and hidden “my secret” in the nice white wrapper, too.
You are so much braver than I!
I remember being at a fancy party in Brussels with some Dutch friends and everyone eating herring in oil without once dripping any on their clothes! I just watched in amazement.
Alyson–I probably don’t want to know…
Laurie–I thought about eating more, but I just couldn’t do it.
Susan–I used to be able to wear silk and eat like a lady. Now I wear t-shirts and always end up with something on them!
Nope, no way, I couldn’t eat that either! I am not an adventurous eater at all. No tenticles, no suction cups. Over here – no fish head curry, no sea cucumbers and no pig institine soup. I could do a whole story on that. They don’t waste ANYTHING over here. All parts are used for something. And manners … they don’t exist! It’s so disgusting watching the locals eat.
I have checked out those slimy creatures in person . . . and you, my dear, ARE hardcore!
(BTW, School of Rock — one of my teen favorites!)
TexasGal–I’m pretty sure I’d be vegetarian if I lived over there. Gulp!
Bee–Hahaha! I really wanted to like the herring, but it’s hard to be a travel warrior if you’re gagging. Oh well. And School of Rock — :-)!
I’ve had pickled herring and it wasn’t all that bad. Quite surprising in fact. Tasted much better than it looked.
That, I’m guessing is different.
Good for you for trying it.
Brave Sir Robin–Good for you too! I wonder what you had? The fish was ok tasting, it just seemed too soft. Maybe it’s better in a sandwich :-)
Ohhhh. I did that! The guy just hacked off a hunk with a knife and waved it at me. It wasn’t as bad as the cockle that jumped back into its shell when i tried to eat it… or was that a periwinkle?
Pigtown-Design–That cockle sounds a bit TOO fresh! We’re headed to Den Haag again in a couple of weeks. I think we may have to go back for more Kibbelingen. No Herring this time :-)