On Thursday, May 30, both NCT's Renjun and WinWin allegedly expressed their support towards Palestine and called for a boycott of the K-pop boy group's upcoming collaboration with Starbucks. Renjun posted an Instagram story with three emojis, a coffee cup, a heartbreak emoji, and the "NO" sign emoji.
Fans naturally interpreted this as a message on his stance against the group's collaboration with Starbucks, asking fans to boycott the same. However, this story was soon taken down. WinWin, however, posted an Instagram post with the caption of two emojis, a cat emoji and a watermelon emoji.
Since watermelon alludes to Palestine's flag colors, fans believe he was also supporting Palestine and against the Starbucks collaboration. It was recently announced that NCT and Starbucks will collaborate to release merchandise and other related things.
Since many believe that Starbucks supports Israel, netizens have been heavily boycotting the brand since October 2023. While they believe the boycott has reaped a lot of benefits to support Palestinians, they are also worried that these collaborations might disrupt the boycott.
Therefore, they've been happy about the NCT members supporting Palestine, at least indirectly, though they can't take a public and straightforward stance.
NCT members allegedly speak up for Palestine following the group's upcoming collaboration with Starbucks
Recently, SM Entertainment announced that their K-pop boy group, NCT, will collaborate with the beverage brand, Starbucks, along with the release of a special merch collection. However, fans weren't happy with the announcement since citizens around the world are currently boycotting the brand. In October 2023, many people suggested that Starbucks allegedly supports Israel.
Starbucks employees went on strike against the brand after the brand fired and removed its union members and other employees who posted on their social media platforms supporting Palestine. This led to many people's conclusion that Starbucks has been supporting and contributing to Israel and its actions that harm the innocent lives of the people in the Gaza Strip.
While the boycott has been going well, every time a celebrity or any individual is seen interacting with Starbucks, a controversy naturally erupts. Netizens have been against celebrities who bought from the boycotted brands, as this not only showcased their alleged support to Israel but also motivated their fans to buy from these brands, disrupting the boycott.
However, since a collaboration on a large scale, such as the upcoming one between NCT and Starbucks, will lead to many more people interacting with Starbucks, netizens were naturally worried about the effects it would have on the boycott.
Before Renjun and WinWin's post, Taeyong was the first to speak up about the issue. The idol posted an Instagram story with a black screen with one word typed on the corner of the story which read "boycott". Fans immediately knew he was referring to the collaboration and people's interaction with Starbucks.
Fans are happy to see the NCT members stand their ground in their stance against collaboration. They also hope that more members speak up, at least indirectly, and they also wish that the collaboration doesn't roll out as fans have been loudly expressing their disinterest in the same.
Article From & Read More ( NCT's Renjun and WinWin seemingly call for boycott of the group's upcoming Starbucks collaboration following Taeyong - Sportskeeda )
https://ift.tt/LsnI0P7
Entertainment
A plethora of Race Across the World contestants have revealed what really goes on behind the scenes of the BBC show. Details including the lowdown on food have emerged from competitors across the show’s four seasons.
On Wednesday (May 29), friends Alfie Watts and Owen Wood successfully became the champions of Race Across the World series four after travelling a 15,000-kilometre route from Japan to Indonesia. This year’s race was entirely contained in Eastern Asia and participants had seven checkpoints with enforced rest periods to complete.
St Alban’s duo and lifelong friends Alfie, 20, and Owen, 21, were the first team to arrive at the final checkpoint in Gili Meno, Indonesia. Thus, they won themselves a tidy sum of £20,000.
Following the conclusion of the BBC One show, it has been confirmed that Race Across the World has been renewed for a fifth season. The forthcoming instalment is expected to air in 2025 and will accompany another celebrity special.
One star claimed crew members tail contestants at all times. “You are always with two crew members and a medic, with a local fixer close behind,” claimed season two contestant Jen Lambra-Stokes to the I.
The star, who competed with her husband Rob Lambra-Stokes, continued to say: “The crew really don't contribute, despite what people think – however nonsensical our decisions might be.
“'I remember crossing into a different time zone and almost missing a vital transport link, and the crew just had to roll with it. It's the same with our jobs directory – all genuine jobs on offer in the local areas, simply compiled.”
Despite the production crew, a local fixer, and a security advisor travelling around with the teams, the contestants have to maintain enough distance to “make the trip feel authentic”.
Speaking about the programme with BBC News, Mark Saben said: "How they made their journey was up to them. This meant as a production we had to react to their decisions, however nonsensical."
He added to the broadcaster: “It was a nightmare for production management as the competing contributors decided how and where to go. You cannot underestimate how challenging the journey could be at times."
Previous Race Across the World winner Emon Choudhury has previously heaped praise on the embedded film teams.
The star, who won the 2020 iteration of the competition, told Express.co.uk: “The job that they do is just incredible because Race Across the World is just split-second decisions, so we could be on one bus one minute and then think, ‘I’m getting off this bus and getting on another bus.’
“So they have to re-jig everything because of what we’ve said.”
Meanwhile, Emon also claimed contestants have “issues” with food and often struggle to eat due to budget constraints.
“I lost over a stone, a stone and a half and the same with my nephew, he lost quite a bit as well. The food was an issue,” he said.
“You always think on these TV shows, you get a sandwich off-camera or water or a little snack here or there but no, it wasn’t like that!”
Elsewhere, season one winners Tony and Elaine claimed that contestants were allowed to take chlorine tablets on their journey. This was so they didn’t have to spend money on bottled water.
Express.co.uk has reached out to the BBC for comment.
You can watch episodes of Race Across the World on BBC iPlayer now.
Article From & Read More ( BBC Race Across the World stars spill off-camera secrets and 'nightmare' filming setups - Express )
https://ift.tt/Lj38Dau
Entertainment
On May 31 KST, NCT members Taeyong and Renjun seemingly made indirect references to the group's ongoing merchandise collaboration with 'Starbucks Korea'.
First, NCT's leader Taeyong wrote curtly via his Instagram story the words "boycott", leading to speculations that his words were directed toward the collaboration.
Then, Renjun recently updated his Instagram story with the words "peace" and the following emojis. The emojis similarly seemed to refer to the NCT x 'Starbuck Korea' collaboration.
Meanwhile, the NCT x 'Starbucks Korea' collaboration launched on May 30 KST, introducing 3 limited edition menu items as well as various merchandise items.
Currently, many overseas fans, particularly in North America, are boycotting the global franchise 'Starbucks' for the brand's alleged support of Israel in the Israeli–Palestinian conflict. When NCT announced the collaboration with 'Starbucks Korea', the group's North American fans voiced their disapproval, expressing their intentions to boycott the collaboration.
However, many Korean fans are of the opinion that the political position held by 'Starbucks America' does not apply to 'Starbucks Korea' (SCK COMPANY Co., Ltd.), whose owner and largest shareholder is E-MART24 Inc., a subsidiary of Shinsegae Group. This means that 'Starbucks Korea' functions as a separate corporation from 'Starbucks America', although the two companies maintain licensing contracts which require 'Starbucks Korea' to pay 'Starbucks America' royalties for the usage of its brand name and logo.
Some Korean netizens are now wondering if Taeyong and Renjun's Instagram accounts were "hacked", while others are criticizing the two NCT members for "violating a business contract".
Article From & Read More ( NCT members Taeyong & Renjun indirectly reference the group's latest merch collaboration with 'Starbucks Korea' - allkpop )
https://ift.tt/dkLWeVf
Entertainment
ADOR's Min Hee Jin won the court ruling against HYBE which prevents the conglomerate from participating in the upcoming shareholders' meeting which will discuss the future of Min Hee Jin at ADOR. The feud between HYBE and ADOR has been an issue for the past few months and new revelations have been made at every step. Here is what the court's latest decision means for the two companies.
Min Hee Jin wins injunction against HYBE
Min Hee Jin had filed a case against HYBE to prevent them from taking part in the shareholder's meeting which is scheduled for May 31. The meeting would discuss Min Hee Jin's position as the CEO of ADOR. On May 30, Min Hee Jin won the injunction against HYBE. The 50th Civil Affairs Division of the Seoul Central District Court ruled in favor of Min Hee Jin. She had been accused of an attempted takeover of ADOR by HYBE which led to the whole situation.
What ADOR's win over HYBE means for the company
Since Min Hee Jin won the case, she'll continue to exercise her role as the CEO of ADOR which manages the K-pop girl group NewJeans. Since HYBE owns 80 percent of shareholders' rights, they could have used their votes to make Min Hee Jin step down from her position as ADOR's CEO if she had not won the case.
Advertisement
Advertisement
Earlier it was reported that HYBE had proposed the dismissal of Min Hee Jin and a new board of directors for ADOR for the upcoming shareholders' meeting. If HYBE indeed does nominate a new board of directors, Min Hee Jin will face considerable restraint in management and her execution of power.
Since HYBE lost the battle, for now, a netizen released a list of probable losses HYBE had to incur because of the feud. The list included about 730 million USD in market capitalization loss. Additionally, if HYBE does want Min Hee Jin out of the picture, they have to pay 20 billion KRW (about 14.6 million USD) to her despite an 80 percent stake in ADOR.
HYBE's response to the court ruling
As the court ruling was out, HYBE gave a statement explaining its stance. They said that they will respect the ruling and not exercise their power to dismiss Min Hee Jin. They stated that Min Hee Jin plotted to weaken HYBE’s control over ADOR by taking NewJeans. Additionally, they claim that this is pressuring HYBE to sell its ADOR holdings which would result in Min Hee Jin gaining independent control of ADOR.
More about ADOR and HYBE's feud
The feud between HYBE and ADOR continues with new revelations being made each day. Earlier, HYBE had accused ADOR of planningto become independent and take over control of ADOR which is currently under HYBE. They also accused ADOR of leaking personal information.
On May 19, Min Hee Jin released her statement regarding the accusations made against her. She commented that she only met Naver and Dunamu for social purposes and not with the intention of gaining management control over ADOR. She stated that the dinner was hosted by an acquaintance and she was not aware of who was attending the dinner meeting.
Min Hee Jin was also accused of cussing at NewJeans and slandering BTS, ILLIT and more K-pop groups.
Article From & Read More ( Min Hee Jin vs HYBE: What does court's ruling mean for ADOR CEO and why company may have to pay 20 billion KRW? - PINKVILLA )
https://ift.tt/XYEsuTb
Entertainment
Fans said the 'moving moment' had them crying at the TV
BBC viewers were left in tears at the ‘best moment in TV’ all over again last night as the lad involved gave his thanks to the crew.
Leading up to a pretty intense final last night (29 May), the past eight weeks have seen teams of people compete in Race Across the World.
And like every season of the popular TV show, we all grew pretty fond of the racers, rooting for them and getting hooked on their stories.
While this year saw the likes of mates Alfie and Owen winning the race with mother and daughter duo Eugenie and Isabel just eight minutes behind, brother and sister Betty and James arrived in third place the next day.
But the pair had already moved viewers to tears in one of the previous legs, as their new-found closeness really became clear on the BBC show.
During the seventh episode, the 25-year-old opened up about being diagnosed with Mayer Rokitansky KĂŒster Hauser syndrome (MRKH) at 16 after discovering she didn't have a uterus or womb and only had one kidney.
And this emotional heart-to-heart was a first for the siblings, who hadn’t really chatted about it before.
It was the moment that followed that really had viewers sobbing, as James broke down in tears.
The 21-year-old really struggled to carry on chatting for the camera as he began to cry and asked: “Can someone just come and hug me please?”
He had viewers in tears. (BBC)
One of the film crew could then be seen appearing before the camera, comforting James as he cried into his shoulder – something we don’t normally see happening on the show.
As viewers at the time said the siblings both made them cry and called it a ‘moving moment’, the reunion episode last night saw the lad reflecting on it.
He explained it was a ‘point where he just couldn’t do it anymore’ and how the camera guy ‘put the camera down and came over to hug him’.
Betty and James. (BBC/Studio Lambert/Pete Dadds)
James then took to X after the show to write: “A moment of raw and true emotion. Just a massive thank you to Chris, the hugging cameraman! He put up with us through blood, sweat and tears and we can’t thank him and the rest of the team enough! What a great series!”
Fans responded, calling it ‘the best moment of TV in a long time’ and the ‘TV moment of the year’.
Another echoed: “What an incredible young man! Being able to ask for support well done to the team that supported him! This is a TV show but these are real people and their mental health needs during the show have obviously been addressed. I can imagine how proud Betty and James’ parents must be.”
You can catch up with Race Across the World on BBC iPlayer.
Article From & Read More ( BBC viewers in tears at 'best moment in TV' as lad thanks the crew after difficult scene - LADbible )
https://ift.tt/RC0WeJA
Entertainment
Ahead of the thrilling reality programme's finale tonight (May 29), it's been announced that the opening two episodes of its current fourth season reached 7.1 million households over a 28-day period on BBC iPlayer.
This makes Studio Lambert's continent-hopping production the most widely-watched BBC Factual title of 2024 so far, besting even Sir David Attenborough's Mammals.
This phenomenally successful run of Race Across the World episodes was celebrated by the BBC's commissioning editor Michael Jochnowitz.
"I'm thrilled that this series has resonated with audiences to such an extraordinary extent, and performed so well on iPlayer. RATW's audience has always been very special and very loyal and it's incredible to see its numbers soar to such new heights," he said in a statement.
Also weighing in was Studio Lambert's chief creative officer Tim Harcourt, who shared: "We are very excited that Race Across the World has reached this amount of viewers. It is testament to the hard work of all the teams that put the series together.
"It's a gigantic feat to plan a show of this scale; from the casting team, the filming teams on the ground, the editors, production management and everyone else that has made this fourth season so incredible – we can't wait for people to see the final episode."
Dan is a freelance entertainment journalist. Beginning his writing career in 2014, Dan's work first graced the pages of cult publications Starburst magazine and Little White Lies before moving onto Total Film,Digital Spy, NME and Yahoo Entertainment.
In the film and TV universe, he kneels at the altar of Jim Carrey, Daniel Plainview, Mike Ehrmantraut and Paulie Walnuts.
I’m thrilled that this series has resonated with audiences to such an extraordinary extent, and performed so well on iPlayer.
Race Across the World, the BBC’s hugely successful and much-loved BAFTA-award winning series which reaches its heart-stopping finale tonight, has achieved an incredible 28-day consolidated figure of 7.1million for episode one and an equally high figure of 7.1million for episode two.
This makes Studio Lambert’s original format the biggest BBC Factual title of the year to date. It is up almost 1million on last year’s launch show with over 3m / 44% viewing the show on BBC iPlayer, making it the 5th biggest show on iPlayer so far this year*.
The series has also proved a hit with young audiences with figures for 16-34 year olds averaging 1.1m across the first two episodes, with a with a huge 66% of viewing on BBC iPlayer.
BBC Commissioning Editor Michael Jochnowitz says: “I’m thrilled that this series has resonated with audiences to such an extraordinary extent, and performed so well on iPlayer. RATW’s audience has always been very special and very loyal and it’s incredible to see its numbers soar to such new heights.”
Tim Harcourt, Chief Creative Officer at Studio Lambert adds: “We are very excited that Race Across The World has reached this amount of viewers. It is testament to the hard work of all the teams that put the series together. It’s a gigantic feat to plan a show of this scale; from the casting team, the filming teams on the ground, the editors, production management and everyone else that has made this fourth season so incredible – we can’t wait for people to see the final episode.”
This year audiences have been captivated by the five intrepid duos as they have battled it out in a breath-taking 15,000 kilometre race across several countries in Eastern Asia.
In tonight’s final episode viewers will find out which couple emerges victorious and claims the cash prize of £20,000.
Studio Lambert, part of All3Media, recently won a BAFTA in the Factual Entertainment category for its sister show, Celebrity Race Across the World.
Race Across the World, BBC One, Wednesday, May 29, 9pm
The Reunion, BBC One, Wednesday, May 29, 10.40pm
*based on BARB 4-Screens Average Audience across 28 Days, only highest occurrence of titles counted
Idol-turned-rapper Choi is facing 3 years in prison for illegally filming his ex-girlfriend during sex.
According to reports on May 29, prosecution asked the court to sentence Choi to 3 years in prison on the charges of violating the Sexual Violence Punishment Act by illegally filming his ex-girlfriend during sex and filming another woman as she lay in bed in her underwear. The prosecution during the trial held at the Seoul Western District Court stated, "Please take into account the nature of the defendant's crime and that the victims are petitioning for severe punishment."
Choi's lawyer pleaded for leniency, claiming the defendant is "repenting and expressing his intention to apologize." Choi himself also stated, "Throughout this incident, I felt how pathetic I was and how I did something I shouldn't have done. More than anything, I sincerely apologize to the victims."
There are currently 3 known victims of Choi's illegal recordings. One victim urged stern punishment, stating, "Choi did not offer a sincere apology. All he did was contact me to come to an agreement after he was expelled from his college last month."
Prosecution is claiming Choi filmed 18 instances of sexual intercourse with his ex-girlfriend as well as her body parts from July 2022 to May 2023. He is said to have secretly filmed the victim by using a silent camera app and encouraging her to wear a blindfold.
Choi's sentencing date is scheduled for June 26 KST.
Meanwhile, Choi debuted as part of a 5-member idol group in 2017, but stopped his activities in 2019 due to health issues.
Article From & Read More ( Idol-turned-rapper faces 3 years in prison for illegally filming girlfriend during sex - allkpop )
https://ift.tt/nGdyN6h
Entertainment
On the May 29th episode of 'Men's Life These Days - Groom Class', Danny Ahn opened up about how he and Son Ho Young are the only single members of g.o.d. He revealed he went to a wedding venue for his 'Groom Class', stating, "When Ho Young was going to check out a wedding venue, I went with him. We went to study wedding venues considering we don't know the costs of one."
Hearing this, the cast members expressed their confusion, questioning why Son Ho Young went to a wedding venue when he's allegedly single. Viewers are now speculating whether Danny Ahn or Son Ho Young are actually in relationships and planning their weddings in secret.
When asked if he ever feels pressured to marry, Danny Ahn responded, "Sometimes when all the g.o.d members gather for a meal, and all the sisters-in-law come. It's just Ho Young and I who don't have anyone. It feels a little bad." As for his ideal type, he replied, "I like busy women who are very dedicated to their work."
Article From & Read More ( g.o.d's Danny Ahn sparks rumors he and Son Ho Young are planning their weddings - allkpop )
https://ift.tt/D2NtMLI
Entertainment
Article From & Read More ( Hoi An, Cape Town, Mombasa: 10 most affordable cities to travel in 2024 - Hindustan Times )
https://ift.tt/PmebRHK
Entertainment
Watch: Cooper's Hill cheese rolling through the years
Cheese rolling is a long-standing tradition in Gloucestershire.
Sources say the event has taken place on Cooper's Hill since the 1820s, with contestants turning up every year ready to take on the incredibly steep slope.
Over the years the hill has seen it all, with people competing in all types of outfits from sports gear to mankinis.
One thing is for sure, and that is the cheese always beats people to the bottom.
Follow BBC Gloucestershire on Facebook, X and Instagram. Send your story ideas to us on email or via WhatsApp on 0800 313 4630.
1:46 PM PT -- Despite fans' high hopes, it appears the concert in Manchester's been canceled ... with some sharing a notice they say they received at the venue on X.
1:03 PM PT -- It appears Nicki Minaj's been released from custody ... the police department put out a statement saying it had released a 41-year-old American from custody with just a €350 fine. While again they don't name Nicki, it appears they're referring to her.
Nicki Minaj's flight out of Amsterdam didn't proceed as planned ... 'cause cops detained her on her way to the UK -- and, now, she's seemingly been arrested.
The rapper live streamed her conversation with the authorities Saturday ... and, it starts with a police officer saying she needs to accompany them to a precinct.
Check out the clip ... Nicki asks multiple times for the police station's address while also confused as to why she needs to go with the officers at all. One of the cops tells Nicki they want to get her to her next show on time if they can -- before telling Minaj she's under arrest.
The officers ask Nicki to stop filming them and step into their police vehicle ... while Minaj says she wants to speak with her lawyer and refuses to turn the camera off. Nicki ultimately gets into the police van of her own volition -- no handcuffs as far as we can tell.
Robert Kapel, a spokesperson for Royal Netherlands Marechaussee military police confirmed to TMZ they'd arrested an American woman for possessing "soft drugs" -- like marijuana for example -- and described a similar scenario to Minaj's, but refused to identify her by name or the type of alleged drugs.
Minaj posted another video too ... where a man who appears to be an airport employee tells Nicki the cops need to thoroughly search her bags -- apologizing profusely for the inconvenience.
BTW ... Minaj has tweeted a couple times in the aftermath of the video -- telling her followers the cops say they found weed in her luggage, and letting everyone know her security's already told the officers the weed is his.
Nicki's overseas right now on the European leg of her "Pink Friday 2" tour. She performed in the Dutch city last night and had a show scheduled for this evening in Manchester, England. Doors are set to open at 7:00 PM local time -- so, the venue's still hoping she'll make it it seems.
We've reached out to Nicki's camp ... so far, no word back.
Reactions of Yonsei University students to recent performances by HYBE idol groups garnered attention online.
On May 25th, Yonsei University's festival took place with 11,000 audiences. On this day, TWS, ILLIT, Jeon So Mi, DAY6, Crush, aespa, (G)I-DLE, and Big Bang's Taeyang performed and engaged with students on a more personal level. However, it seems not all performances were well received according to some of the student reactions shared online.
"Dahn World took over AKARAKA. Was HYBE offering the cheapest deals AKARAK has the worst lineup compared to that of AKARAKA with alumni and IPSELENTI (Korea University's festival)"
"Is this some kind of HYBE family concert What is this"
"Should have revealed the lineup beforehand if it was going to be like this. If I knew who was coming beforehand I would have at least tried to search their songs before the festival. There's no song that I can sing along.."
"Breaking) ILLIT came up"
"Next up could be LE SSERAFIM~ gg"
"Were they BOGO from HYBE what is this"
"ILLIT lmao fml"
"Who are you?"
"Like this post if you are seriously suspecting a connection between the organizer and HYBE"
commenter 1: "This is all Dahn World's plan gg~!"
Netizens shared their thoughts on these surprising reactions:
"Bang Si Hyuk's sycophant Park Ji Won is Yonsei University alumni lol"
"Could really be a BOGO deal"
"How come TWS got to perform there AKARAKA is a flop lol"
"This time Korea University won. ILLIT TWS were really mid"
"So how come locals don't even know who TWS is when the media say TWS may snag the first place?"
"Payola lol"
"HYBE couldn't pay off the university online community lol"
Article From & Read More ( Yonsei University students' reactions to HYBE idol performances garner attention online - allkpop )
https://ift.tt/74deDE6
Entertainment
Hearty meat, mashed vegetables and huge wheels of cheese are just the start of the Dutch culinary story. The country has a natural larder of lush fields, pastures, coastline and waterways, and tens of thousands of acres of high-tech greenhouses.
Influences from its European neighbors and a mosaic of cultures – including its complex historical links to merchant trade, imperialism and immigration – plus a focus on sustainability all enrich the Netherland’s diverse food scene.
Ranging from herring and mayo-slathered fries to spicy rijsttafels (Indonesian-inspired small plates) and refined, increasingly plant-based contemporary Dutch cookery, these are the best food experiences in the Netherlands.
Snack your way around the Netherlands’ markets
A great introduction to Dutch flavors is browsing a markt (market). Along with fresh produce and colorful flowers, stalls sell tantalizing sweet treats like warm, gooey stroopwafels (wafers sandwiched with sticky caramel syrup), poffertjes (puffy mini-pancakes dusted with icing sugar). Market stalls are also a good place to trawl for seasonal bakkerij (bakery) favorites like speculaas (spiced cookies) and oliebollen (deep-fried dough balls) popular around Christmas as well as localized regional specialities, and confectionery including the nation’s beloved salty licorice, drop. Savory Dutch snacks (herring, cheese and fries included) also abound.
Where to try it: Open-air markets set up in cities and towns at least once a week. In Rotterdam, the landmark covered Markthal has a heady array of food and drink stalls in a spectacular horseshoe-shaped building.
As a seafaring nation, fish is hugely popular, and none more so than haring (herring). Prized Hollandse Nieuwe, a national and EU-protected traditional speciality, is only caught from May to September. The traditional way to eat the raw, brine-cured delicacy it is to pinch the tail between your thumb and forefinger, tip your head back and dangle it from above. Alternatively you can have it chopped in small pieces with uitjes (diced onions) and zuur (sweet pickles) and eat it using a toothpick, or in a fluffy white roll as a broodje haring (herring sandwich).
Fried fish dishes you’ll see often include kibbeling (battered small pieces of whitefish like cod or hake, accompanied by garlic or tartar sauce) and lekkerbek (similar but larger filets, ie Dutch fish and chips).
Where to try it: The best herring is prepared freshly at haringhuizen (herring stands), haringhandels (herring carts) and vishandels (fishmongers), often emblazoned with red-white-and-blue Dutch flags, which are found all over the Netherlands (Stubbe's Haring, on Amsterdam’s Singel canal is an institution). At the coast near Den Haag, Scheveningen’s Vlaggetjesdag (Flag Day) celebrations commemorate the decorating of fishing boats in the harbor.
Fork into a coneful of Vlaamse frites
Crispy, fluffy Vlaamse frites (“Flemish fries”; aka friet, frieten or patat – the name is the subject of spirited local debate) are thickly cut from whole potatoes, twice fried and slathered with a choice of sauces (from classic mayonnaise to green pepper, vinegary piccalilly, curry or spicy sambal; oorlog is a classic Dutch combination with mayo, peanut satay and onions), typically served in paper cones with a small fork. Everyone in the Netherlands has firm opinions on where to get the best.
Where to try it: You’ll find fries everywhere from street markets, freestanding kiosks and hole-in-the-wall takeaways to sleek, contemporary boutiques and specialist sit-down restaurants. Top picks for an on-the-go fix include Haarlem’s new-generation Friethoes, and Amsterdam’s old-school Vleminckx, frying since 1957.
With its grazing pastures and historic trading towns, the Netherlands is synonymous with kaas (cheese). The most prevalent is rich, creamy Gouda, typically encased in yellow paraffin wax and classified from jong (young) to belegen (mature) and oud (aged), such as crumbly, crystalized Oud Amsterdammer. Similar in style but milder is semi-hard Edam, usually covered in red wax. Other varieties include Leidse (Leyden), speckled with cumin seeds, and Maasdammer, with Emmental-style holes.
As well as cow’s milk kaas, look for geitenkaas (goat’s cheese) and schapenkaas (sheep’s cheese). Boerenkaas (farmhouse cheese) is made with raw, unpasteurized milk.
Where to try it: The charming towns of Gouda, Edam and Alkmaar have museums and lively historic cheese markets entertaining the crowds during the warmer months. Many cheese-producing farms across the country open to visitors, such as Kaasboerderij Wezenspyk on the island of Texel, and Booij Kaasmakers in Streefkerk, near Rotterdam. Vendors at market stalls and stacked-to-the-rafters shops throughout the Netherlands often let you sample before buying.
In the Netherlands, pannenkoeken (pancakes) can constitute an entire meal, with numerous places specializing in giant, cartwheel-style creations of thin, crepe-style pancakes with savory toppings (such as cheese and mushrooms) as well as sweet (like spiced pears).
Where to try it: Pancakes virtually cover the table at Leiden’s ‘t Pannenkoekenhuysje Oudt Leyden. On Nijmegen’s outskirts, De Duivelsberg has an enchanting setting on the edge of the forest.
Savor refined contemporary Dutch cookery
Innovative Dutch chefs are reimaging old, traditionally heavy recipes and giving them a lighter, contemporary spin, as well as melding concepts and techniques from around the globe with locally sourced produce. In tune with the Dutch commitment to creating a fully circular economy by 2050, sustainability is at the heart of contemporary Dutch cooking, with a focus on organic, farm-to-fork dining, and a growing number of cutting-edge restaurants concentrating exclusively on plant-based cooking.
Where to try it: Contemporary showcases include Het Arsenaal in an old monastery in Hanseatic Doesburg (with its own brewery), intimate Tres in Rotterdam, factory-set Novo and inspired Beluga Loves You in Maastricht, and hyperlocal Triptyque in Den Haag and Neder in Alkmaar, just for starters. At Amsterdam’s De Kas, dine on ingredients grown in its surrounding century-old glasshouses and gardens. Utrecht’s Kasvio (whose mantra is “cooking as storytelling”), and Nijmegen’s double-Michelin-starred De Nieuwe Winkel (“botanical gastronomy”) are entirely vegan.
Dine on Dutch comfort dishes
Chilly winter weather is held at bay by warming Dutch comfort dishes like stamppot (potatoes mashed with vegetables and topped with sausages), hutspot (“hotchpotch” of potatoes, carrots, onions and braised meat), erwtensoep (split-pea soup with bacon or smoked sausage and thick rye bread) and boerenkool met worst (mashed potatoes with kale and smoked sausage). Desserts include appeltaart (tall apple pie made from brown-sugar shortcrust pastry filled with cinnamon apples), spekkoek (layered spice cake), and hangop (thick, creamy strained yoghurt with fruit compote).
Where to try it: Wonderful Dutch classics are dished up at Amsterdam stalwart Hap Hmm. At Spijshuis de Dis in Delft, end your meal with semolina pudding with brandied raisins or apricots, served in a wooden clog.
Vegetarians and vegans
The Netherlands is a pioneer of plant-based cuisine, and a quarter of main meals eaten in the country are vegetarian. Vegetarians and vegans will find a multitude of options at all price points, from market-stall snacks through to high-end gourmet experiences.
Numerous cafes and restaurants are exclusively vegetarian or completely vegan, and those that aren’t usually have vegetarian (and often vegan) dishes or set menus available.
Spices are prevalent in the Netherlands, a legacy of the Dutch colonization of Indonesia. A dining highlight is a rijsttafel (“rice table”), an elaborate Indonesian feast of a dozen or so tiny dishes such as pork satay, braised beef and ribs, served with white rice. Other popular dishes at Indonesian restaurants include nasi goreng (spiced fried rice with onion, pork and shrimp and spices, topped with egg) and bami goreng (with noodles rather than rice). Mild is usually the default setting to cater to European palates but restaurants will fire up the heat if you ask (you’ve been warned!).
Caribbean-style Surinamese cuisine, from the tropical South American country of Suriname, formerly colonized by the Dutch, prominently features chicken, lamb or beef curries; pom is a festive chicken and root-vegetable casserole. Roti, soft savory pancake-style flatbread wraps with curried meat or vegetables such as garter beans, are filling and delicious.
Where to try it: Amsterdam’s Tokoman makes outstanding roti and Surinamese sandwiches, washed down with cold coconut water. In Rotterdam, try Surinamese dishes at Brasserie Timmerhuis, and in ‘s-Hertogenbosch (Den Bosch), head for the cozy warmth of Tante Wonnie, cooking family recipes to a soundtrack of Surinamese kaseko.
Soak up frothy beers with borrelhapjes (bar snacks)
Bier (beer) is more popular than ever in the Netherlands, from icons like 1615-founded Grolsch and 1845-founded Heineken to abbey-made Trappist beers and an explosion of craft brewers, with more than 900 active breweries around the country today.
Borrel (“drinks”) is the perfect opportunity to raise a glass and bite into quintessentially Dutch borrelhapjes (bar snacks) such as kroketten (croquettes) including bitterballen (small, round meat ragout varieties) served with mustard, and kaasloempias (Indonesian spring rolls filled with melted Gouda).
Made from juniper berries, jenever (Dutch gin; sometimes spelt genever) originated in the Netherlands around the 16th century for medicinal purposes. Jonge (young) jenever is smoother; barrel-aged oude (old) jenever has a much stronger flavor. It’s traditionally served chilled in a brimming, tulip-shaped shot glass and drunk by bowing low over the bar, with your hands behind your back, before taking a deep sip.
Where to try it: A historic proeflokaal (tasting room) such as Amsterdam’s De Drie Fleschjes or Wynand Fockink makes an atmospheric setting for a tipple, while in the capital’s Flevopark, try small-batch jenevers, liqueurs, herbal bitters and fruit distillates at Distilleerderij ’t Nieuwe Diep, in a magical woodland setting. In Doredrecht, Rutte is a history-steeped distillery, as is Nolet, powered by a wind turbine in a neo-traditional windmill in the “Dutch Distillers District” of Schiedam.
