History

The herring trade built Amsterdam's economy in the 17th century. Hollandse Nieuwe means the new catch of the season, salted briefly so the herring oil reaches peak fat content. The first barrel of the year is traditionally auctioned for charity in early June. The Amsterdam haringhandel format, eaten standing at the stall with onion and pickles, dates back centuries; Frens at Koningsplein and Stubbe's at the Haarlemmersluis on the Singel are the city's reference stalls.

Book a food experience

Tours, tastings and classes that match this page, bookable on GetYourGuide.

Browse every bookable food experience

Common allergens: Fish

Make it at home

Yield 4Hands-on 20 minTotal 24 hr 30 minDifficulty Easy

Ingredients

  • 8 very fresh young herring, gutted and gibbed (the pancreas left in, which is the traditional Dutch cure)
  • 200g coarse sea salt
  • 1 large white onion, very finely diced
  • 100g cornichon-style sweet pickles, chopped small
  • 4 soft white bread rolls (broodjes), optional for serving
  • Crushed ice for plating

Method

  1. Rinse the herring under very cold running water and pat dry. The fish must come from a trusted source and be flash-frozen at minus 20 degrees for 24 hours prior, to kill any Anisakis parasites.
  2. Bury the herring in the coarse sea salt in a non-reactive container, cover, and refrigerate for 5 days for the traditional cure, or use commercially matjes-cured herring if pressed.
  3. Rinse the salt off thoroughly, dry the herring, and let them temper at fridge temperature for 1 hour.
  4. Hold each herring by the tail, dip lightly in the diced onion so it sticks to the flesh.
  5. Tilt your head back, lower the herring tail-first into your mouth, and bite in two from the bottom up; chew slowly, the texture should be silken.
  6. Alternatively, lay the herring in a soft bread roll with a spoonful of onion and pickle on top for the broodje haring lunch version.

Tip from the editors. Real Hollandse Nieuwe is only sold from late May through early August. Outside that window, buy maatjesharing from a Dutch importer; the flavour is close but the texture is firmer.

Where to eat hollandse nieuwe (fresh herring)

Hollandse Nieuwe (Fresh Herring) in Amsterdam

Frens Haringhandel ★ 4.6

€ Street food

Frens on Koningsplein near the Bloemenmarkt is the Amsterdam herring stand locals queue at, raw soused herring with onion and pickles, served the proper way.

TryHollandse Nieuwe haring

Directions

Stubbe's Haring ★ 4.4

€ Street food

Stubbe's at the Haarlemmersluis bridge on the Singel near Centraal is the Amsterdam herring stand that ranks alongside Frens, family-run for more.

TryHollandse Nieuwe haring

Directions

Volendammer Vishandel ★ 4.3

€ Street food

Volendammer Vishandel on Albert Cuypstraat sells Amsterdam kibbeling fresh from the fryer, battered cod chunks with garlic mayonnaise, the way the markets.

TryKibbeling with garlic sauce

Directions

All Amsterdam signature dishes →

Hollandse Nieuwe (Fresh Herring) in Rotterdam

Markthal Rotterdam ★ 4.8

€ MarketDutch cheese, Fresh fish, International street food, Artisan produceCentrum

Europe's first indoor food market hall with a 40m-high arched ceiling and a giant food mural. Located in Centrum. At Dominee Jan Scharpstraat 298.

Directions

Binnenrotte Market ★ 4.5

€ MarketFresh produce, Flowers, Dutch street food, Clothing and householdCentrum

Rotterdam's largest open-air market fills the Blaak square twice weekly with fresh produce, flowers, fish, Dutch street food. Located in Centrum.

Directions

All Rotterdam signature dishes →

Hollandse Nieuwe (Fresh Herring) in Utrecht

Boerenmarkt Snack Stalls ★ 4.8

€ Street foodCentrum

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

TryHaring with raw onion, bitterballen and fresh stroopwafel

Directions

Biologische Boerenmarkt Vredenburg ★ 4.6

€ MarketCentrum

Utrecht's organic farmers market on Vredenburgplein every Friday. Local farmers sell cheese, organic produce, bread, juices, meat and sustainable fish.

Directions

All Utrecht signature dishes →

More cities are in research. Want hollandse nieuwe (fresh herring) covered somewhere specific? Tell us where you want to eat.

Browse all dishes →