Did you know that Rotterdam and Chinese food have been linked for over a hundred years? What started with Chinese sailors settling in the port city grew into a food culture that is loved throughout the Netherlands.
Chinese food has become an integral part of Dutch culture. It all started over a hundred years ago when Chinese sailors came to the Katendrecht district of Rotterdam. The Chinese worked in the harbour to replace striking Dutch dockworkers. Many of those sailors stayed in Rotterdam, creating Europe’s first Chinatown.
Never tasted before
The Chinese workers brought with them from home unusual flavours, aromas and recipes that the Dutch had never tasted before. Think of steaming noodle soups, stir-fries full of flavour and fragrant rice dishes. What was then new and unknown laid the foundation for the delicious Chinese food culture we know today.
Unique blend of cuisines
In the 1970s, Chinese-Indonesian restaurants popped up all over the Netherlands. For many people, it was the first “foreign” food they ever tasted. For many Dutch people, eating at “the Chinese” became a regular Saturday night ritual. Dishes such as spring rolls, satay and babi pangang became real classics on the menu!
Chinese chefs adapted their recipes to local tastes. And because the Netherlands had ties with the former Dutch East Indies, Indonesian cuisine also had an influence. This led to the creation of dishes that could not be found anywhere else in the world, such as babi pangang, nasi speciaal and foe yong hai. Not traditional Chinese or Indonesian, but a unique Dutch-Chinese fusion.
The new generation
The new generation of Chinese chefs has moved with the times. Many restaurants now offer sushi or all-you-can-eat concepts. There are also chefs who are returning to their roots. They demonstrate how rich and diverse authentic Chinese cuisine is: from the spicy flavours of Sichuan to refined dim sum from Canton. One example is Asian Glories, a family-run restaurant where traditional and innovative recipes have been passed down for generations.
Dishes that have a story
Rotterdam is bursting with Chinese flavours: from traditional dishes to recipes with a modern twist. In the Markthal, you will find Chinese food trucks and dumpling stalls, and in Rotterdam’s Chinatown, you can enjoy traditional dishes, noodles or shared dining with an Asian twist. Each dish from Chinese cuisine tells a story of migration, resilience and connection. So you will want to enjoy it all the more!
