You can find many treasures from the North Sea, yet the grey shrimp is without doubt the tastiest of them all. This mildly salty delicacy enjoys exalted culinary status across Flanders. Try a delicious dish of culinary heritage this summer!
Flanders boasts an irresistible culinary culture, with its passion for food, flavor, and unique local products. The North Sea grey shrimp is a delicious example, playing a starring role in a number of classic dishes from Flemish cuisine. Take the shrimp-filled tomato, for example. A tomato is generously filled with fresh North Sea shrimp and a dollop of handmade mayonnaise, accompanied by golden-brown Belgian fries. Simple, but brilliant. It gets even better, because if perfection exists, it's in a shrimp croquette: a rich, creamy filling full of North Sea shrimp enveloped in a crispy breadcrumb coating, pure and super fresh. Every bite is an ode to the Flemish coast, authentically made and irresistibly delicious.
UNESCO World Heritage lists grey shrimp fishing
You can learn more about the grey shrimp story in the town of Oostduinkerke, where you can still see the shrimp fishermen at work. On the beach, watch hefty draught horses wade through the water, dragging large nets behind them, ridden by fishermen wearing yellow oilskin coats. This is how the “caviar of the North Sea’ is harvested, right from the surf! This is the only place where shrimp are still caught using this traditional method, a centuries-old custom still very much alive here. Since 2013, grey shrimp fishing has been on UNESCO's list of Intangible Cultural Heritage.
A culinary highlight
The North Sea grey shrimp is therefore much more than a delicacy; it is an invaluable heritage. The seemingly paltry shrimp connects the dots between everyday cuisine in Flanders and world-class gastronomy. This culinary gem has evoked tradition and memories for generations, with locals recalling shrimp shells simmering on the stove to make a fragrant stock. The flavors and aroma are signature sensory experiences for an authentic visit to the North Sea coast of Flanders!
The beloved grey shrimp are just one of the many reasons why the Flemish coast is a must-visit. It's a multi-faceted paradise stretching across 67 kilometers of fine sand, sea and dunes, art and culture, food and drink, history and heritage, shopping, surfing, and much more. Visit the Flemish coast, you’ll be glad you did!
