History

The broodje haring, or haring in a white roll, became the standard Dutch street lunch format in the 20th century, adapting the traditional raw-haring-with-onion eating custom into a portable meal. Utrecht's Vismarkt has sold broodje haring from its stalls for decades; the format is unchanged and the best versions are made with Hollandse Nieuwe in season.

Common allergens: Fish, Gluten

Make it at home

Yield Serves 2Hands-on 5 minTotal 5 minDifficulty Easy

Ingredients

  • 2 Hollandse Nieuwe herrings, cleaned and filleted
  • 2 soft white bread rolls (puntje or broodje)
  • 1 small white onion, very finely diced
  • 4 cornichons, sliced lengthways

Method

  1. Split the rolls and lay each haring fillet flat inside.
  2. Top generously with finely diced raw onion.
  3. Add cornichon slices on top.
  4. Eat immediately; the raw haring does not keep well once filleted.

Tip from the editors. The best broodje haring uses Hollandse Nieuwe from the first catch of the season in late May or June; the fat content gives a richer, softer flavour.

This is the TableJourney editorial recipe, modelled on the canonical bistro / counter version. The first place to try the dish in its city of origin is below.

Where to eat broodje haring

Broodje Haring in Utrecht

Boerenmarkt Snack Stalls ★ 4.5

centrum

The Saturday boerenmarkt on Vredenburgplein is the cheapest eating in Utrecht. Fresh haring, warm bitterballen and stroopwafel baked on the iron cost €2-5.

Try: Haring with raw onion, bitterballen and fresh stroopwafel

More cities are in research. Want broodje haring covered somewhere specific? Tell us where you want to eat.

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