Creamy stew of chicken or fish with carrots, leeks, celery and potatoes in a broth thickened with egg yolk and cream. A Ghent dish found on Brussels menus.

Waterzooi is a soup or stew from Flanders, often called Gentse waterzooi after Ghent. The original was made with fish, often freshwater, and chicken is more common today; every version rests on a base of egg yolk, cream and thickened vegetable broth. In Brussels Chez Leon serves a Ghent waterzooi of chicken and a fish waterzooi, Au Vieux Saint Martin a Ghent waterzooi with farm chicken, and Aux Armes de Bruxelles a fish waterzooi of cod, sole, salmon and grey shrimp.

Where to eat Waterzooi in Brussels

3 editor picks for Waterzooi in Brussels, ranked by editorial score. All Brussels signature dishes · Waterzooi across every city.

Book food experiences in Brussels

See all 1021 food experiences in Brussels

Make it at home

Serves 41 hr 30 minIntermediate

Ingredients

  • 1 whole chicken (1.5 kg), jointed
  • 1 leek, sliced
  • 2 carrots, sliced
  • 1 celery stick, sliced
  • 1 onion, halved
  • 1 bay leaf, 1 sprig thyme
  • 1.2L chicken stock
  • 200ml double cream
  • 2 egg yolks
  • Juice of half a lemon
  • Salt, black pepper, butter
  • Chopped chervil or parsley to finish

Method

  1. Sweat onion in butter in a heavy pot, then add chicken pieces and brown lightly.
  2. Add stock, bay, thyme and onion. Simmer covered for 30 minutes until chicken is just cooked.
  3. Lift out chicken and keep warm. Strain stock and return to pot.
  4. Add leek, carrots and celery; simmer for 8 minutes until tender.
  5. Whisk egg yolks with cream in a bowl. Ladle in some hot stock to temper, then return the mix to the pot off the heat, stirring constantly.
  6. Return chicken to pot. Warm through gently without boiling. Add lemon juice and season.
  7. Serve in deep bowls with chopped chervil scattered over.

Editor tip. Never boil after adding the egg yolks. The cream broth will curdle; keep the pot below a simmer once the liaison is in.

Common allergens: Eggs, Dairy.