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Ordered: 5 Bitterballen - Tasting Platter (~€8): beef, bouillabaisse (fish), thom kah kai, old cheese/spinach, cashew, and truffle Aya's take: Bitterballen is a classic Dutch snack that is crispy on the outside and soft on the inside with various fillings. I decided to come to De Ballenbar to get a nice variety. Off the bat, the presentation is super nice for this flight of bitterballen. Out of all of them, the truffle was my favorite but you can't go wrong with any of these fried delectables. And honestly, they're very filling! If you find yourself at De Foodhallen, check them out.
Yelp Review 2023 #84: In a foodhall with many options, I picked to get bitterballen. Don't let "bitter" throw you off - it's not bitter at all. All it basically is is a thickened stew/ soup/ roux with meat that's refrigerated so they can be rolled into a ball, breaded and then fried. The result? Crunchy savory hot balls. Who doesn't want that? You can get 5 balls for €7+ or 10 balls for €14. You can also get 3, 6 or 12. Your options: rund, bouillabaisse, truffle, thom-Kha-kai, and spinach and aged cheese. Sauce options: bitterballsauce, truffle mayo, and mustard (free). What I tried (2 of each): rund, truffle, and thom-Kha-kai with truffle Mayo, and mustard for my sauces. Thom-kha-kai doesn't need to be dipped in any sauce - it has enough strong flavors of its own. I liked all 3 bitterballen I picked. They're very hot. You can use the toothpicks they give you to poke a hole so the steam would come out.
Food: As my first time trying Bitterballen, it did not disappoint. We couldn't decide on which one to get but luckily, they had a tasting platter! Out of the platter I'd say the Truffel was my favorite. The sauces also compliments the bitterballen! Service: Awesome service and team! Ambiance: They are located towards the back of foodhallen. Its a food hall so there are seats around the area. If you're in Amsterdam, its a must to try this place!
Absolutely delicious. Doesn't matter what flavor you get, each one is delicious! Purchased the sampler and it did not disappointed. Cooked to perfection. Super flavorful. A good time for your taste buds! Great customer service. Lively ambiance with a queue because of how good these balls are.
Ya gotta have bitterballen when in the Netherlands. We found De Ballenbar while at the De Foodhallen, and knew that we had to try this Dutch delicacy. Bitterballen is a fried ball that is usually stuffed with ground meat, sauce and cheese and does vary from different flavors. At De Ballenbar I ordered an assortment of 10, ranging in five different flavors for the three of us to share, as De Ballenbar specializes in various bitterballens. It also came with a side dip. Of all the different kinds of bitterballen we ordered I liked the beef one the most, as it had a nice mushroom gravy and beef stuffing to it. But I will say that it was hard to eat bitterballens one after another since the fried balls were so heavy. After eating three I had my fill and needed something much lighter to accompany the bitterballens. Try it with the truffle mayo that is a popular sauce in the Netherlands. I would recommend trying bitterballen if you haven't had it before, but know that it's truly something that you'd eat with a pint. It would be hard to make a meal out of this since it was heavy with the stuffing and fried texture, but makes for a good snack. Glad to have tried this while in Amsterdam.
Located at the very back of Foodhallen, this lil stand serves up Bitterballen, which is essentially deep fried beef balls, but this place has other flavors. They have a tasting platter that comes with five different flavors for 6,75 euros (or 10 pieces for 13,00) for those that are indecisive. This was my last stop of my trip and I'd been eating SO much that I was so full by the time I got here. Yet, I couldn't leave without checking bitterballen off my food list, so here I was. Their menu only lists the prices in 3/6/12 pieces, but I asked the very friendly girl working and she said I can order by the piece. I ended up getting the original rund (beef) for 1,10 and a truffle for 2,00. It took about 5 minutes and they came out hot and fresh. The outside is super crispy, and the inside of both were very creamy. The Beef Bitterballen was basically the same thing as a croquet, which is another food that Amsterdam is famous for, apparently. It reminded me of a cream of mushroom type of filling. The truffle one was amazing - the moment i cut into it, the aroma of truffle filled my nose. It wasn't super overpowering, but it definitely was worth the 2,00.
Bypass all the other vendors in Food Hallen and head straight to De Ballenbar... THE BEST bitterballen I've had - my mouth is watering just writing this review! My favorite 2 were the beef & the bouillabaisse! I get deeply saddened when I think these aren't readily available to me since I don't live in Amsterdam. Whatever you do - make sure to get to De Ballenbar!
If you've never had Amsterdam's bitterballens, this should be the place you sample them. They have variety of selections of fillings to choose from as well as dipping sauces. They are made on the spot, fresh and hot. Located in a food court called the Foodhallen, there's plenty of seating as well. Social atmosphere with a young, professional crowd.
Best bitterballen I tried in Amsterdam! Bitterballen is essentially the Dutch version of a meatball and is a traditional bar snack. I love that this particular spot has different flavors apart from just the traditional stuffing. They are perfectly fried and crispy on the outside and bursting with flavor on the inside. My personal favorite was the truffle one.
This is one of the last stalls in Foodhallen and I'm glad we were able to taste their bitterballen. My wife and I went for the 5 bitterballen pack in which they give you 5 unique flavors. You don't get to choose which flavors but it's not a problem as they only listed about 7 choices any way. Each bitterballen was crunchy on the outside with a very soft interior. I think the "Dutch meatball" label is a bit off the mark. They are closer to croquettes IMHO. In any cases, we really enjoyed them. The truffle and spinach were my two favorites while the others weren't as flavorful but they were all quite good. If you are Foodhallen, I think this is a must-try. It's only a snack anyway so it probably won't be your only stop.
Saw pictures on yelp and had to try it! I ordered the tasting platter which is more expensive but totally worth it. I wasn't sure what ball was what expect the truffle because it was so strong! I love when the taste of truffles are strong. The balls were so crispy and googy in the inside. Perfectly deep fried goodness. I don't think sauce is necessary. The balls have enough flavor on it's on.
What's a Canadian boy supposed to do when he walks into a food hall in Amsterdam and sees some bitterballen? Easy, orders some of the basic beef ones and gives them a try. My wife and I came here in the early afternoon while exploring and jumped at the chance to try these right away. Between placing our order and taking the first bite it only took five minutes or so and I'll be honest, it was scorching hot and I was really on the fence with the first one but by the third I was in full blown devour mode. These little balls of beef tasted so good and I am absolutely going to be eating some more before leaving Amsterdam. Overall, De Ballen Bar is a must stop for any tourist hitting up the food hall. You can stop here and fill up or just get a small order of bitterballen and keep on tasting up the city, either way, it's a delicious stop. read more
2 years ago
First time trying Dutch meatballs and I love it! It's located in the very corner / back of the food court behind a wine bar. I got the platter and was able to try all the different type of meatballs. Would come back again! read more
2 years ago
This was my first time trying bitterballen, and it's quickly become one of my favorite Dutch snacks. For those new to bitterballen, think of them as meatball croquettes with a crispy breadcrumb exterior and a savory, creamy interior. De Ballenbar takes traditional beef bitterballen and adds their own unique twist to the classic Dutch snack. There are seven different flavors, my personal favorites being the original Beef, the Bouillabaisse (seafood), and the Truffle. I could have easily finished a whole platter on my own, but chose to be selfless and shared it instead.... read more
Ordered: 5 Bitterballen - Tasting Platter (~€8): beef, bouillabaisse (fish), thom kah kai, old cheese/spinach, cashew, and truffle Aya's take: Bitterballen is a classic Dutch snack that is crispy on the outside and soft on the inside with various fillings. I decided to come to De Ballenbar to get a nice variety. Off the bat, the presentation is super nice for this flight of bitterballen. Out of all of them, the truffle was my favorite but you can't go wrong with any of these fried delectables. And honestly, they're very filling! If you find yourself at De Foodhallen, check them out. read more
2 years ago
Yelp Review 2023 #84: In a foodhall with many options, I picked to get bitterballen. Don't let "bitter" throw you off - it's not bitter at all. All it basically is is a thickened stew/ soup/ roux with meat that's refrigerated so they can be rolled into a ball, breaded and then fried. The result? Crunchy savory hot balls. Who doesn't want that? You can get 5 balls for €7+ or 10 balls for €14. You can also get 3, 6 or 12. Your options: rund, bouillabaisse, truffle, thom-Kha-kai, and spinach and aged cheese. Sauce options: bitterballsauce, truffle mayo, and mustard (free). What I tried (2 of each): rund, truffle, and thom-Kha-kai with truffle Mayo, and mustard for my sauces. Thom-kha-kai doesn't need to be dipped in any sauce - it has enough strong flavors of its own. I liked all 3 bitterballen I picked. They're very hot. You can use the toothpicks they give you to poke a hole so the steam would come out. read more
Food: As my first time trying Bitterballen, it did not disappoint. We couldn't decide on which one to get but luckily, they had a tasting platter! Out of the platter I'd say the Truffel was my favorite. The sauces also compliments the bitterballen! Service: Awesome service and team! Ambiance: They are located towards the back of foodhallen. Its a food hall so there are seats around the area. If you're in Amsterdam, its a must to try this place! read more
Absolutely delicious. Doesn't matter what flavor you get, each one is delicious! Purchased the sampler and it did not disappointed. Cooked to perfection. Super flavorful. A good time for your taste buds! Great customer service. Lively ambiance with a queue because of how good these balls are. read more
4 years ago
Get the TASTING PLATTER, you'll get to try all the lovely flavors and if there is anything else you want to get more of you can always go back and order it! ENJOY! read more
7 years ago
Ya gotta have bitterballen when in the Netherlands. We found De Ballenbar while at the De Foodhallen, and knew that we had to try this Dutch delicacy. Bitterballen is a fried ball that is usually stuffed with ground meat, sauce and cheese and does vary from different flavors. At De Ballenbar I ordered an assortment of 10, ranging in five different flavors for the three of us to share, as De Ballenbar specializes in various bitterballens. It also came with a side dip. Of all the different kinds of bitterballen we ordered I liked the beef one the most, as it had a nice mushroom gravy and beef stuffing to it. But I will say that it was hard to eat bitterballens one after another since the fried balls were so heavy. After eating three I had my fill and needed something much lighter to accompany the bitterballens. Try it with the truffle mayo that is a popular sauce in the Netherlands. I would recommend trying bitterballen if you haven't had it before, but know that it's truly something that you'd eat with a pint. It would be hard to make a meal out of this since it was heavy with the stuffing and fried texture, but makes for a good snack. Glad to have tried this while in Amsterdam. read more
Located at the very back of Foodhallen, this lil stand serves up Bitterballen, which is essentially deep fried beef balls, but this place has other flavors. They have a tasting platter that comes with five different flavors for 6,75 euros (or 10 pieces for 13,00) for those that are indecisive. This was my last stop of my trip and I'd been eating SO much that I was so full by the time I got here. Yet, I couldn't leave without checking bitterballen off my food list, so here I was. Their menu only lists the prices in 3/6/12 pieces, but I asked the very friendly girl working and she said I can order by the piece. I ended up getting the original rund (beef) for 1,10 and a truffle for 2,00. It took about 5 minutes and they came out hot and fresh. The outside is super crispy, and the inside of both were very creamy. The Beef Bitterballen was basically the same thing as a croquet, which is another food that Amsterdam is famous for, apparently. It reminded me of a cream of mushroom type of filling. The truffle one was amazing - the moment i cut into it, the aroma of truffle filled my nose. It wasn't super overpowering, but it definitely was worth the 2,00. read more
8 years ago
Bypass all the other vendors in Food Hallen and head straight to De Ballenbar... THE BEST bitterballen I've had - my mouth is watering just writing this review! My favorite 2 were the beef & the bouillabaisse! I get deeply saddened when I think these aren't readily available to me since I don't live in Amsterdam. Whatever you do - make sure to get to De Ballenbar! read more
If you've never had Amsterdam's bitterballens, this should be the place you sample them. They have variety of selections of fillings to choose from as well as dipping sauces. They are made on the spot, fresh and hot. Located in a food court called the Foodhallen, there's plenty of seating as well. Social atmosphere with a young, professional crowd. read more
Best bitterballen I tried in Amsterdam! Bitterballen is essentially the Dutch version of a meatball and is a traditional bar snack. I love that this particular spot has different flavors apart from just the traditional stuffing. They are perfectly fried and crispy on the outside and bursting with flavor on the inside. My personal favorite was the truffle one. read more
This is one of the last stalls in Foodhallen and I'm glad we were able to taste their bitterballen. My wife and I went for the 5 bitterballen pack in which they give you 5 unique flavors. You don't get to choose which flavors but it's not a problem as they only listed about 7 choices any way. Each bitterballen was crunchy on the outside with a very soft interior. I think the "Dutch meatball" label is a bit off the mark. They are closer to croquettes IMHO. In any cases, we really enjoyed them. The truffle and spinach were my two favorites while the others weren't as flavorful but they were all quite good. If you are Foodhallen, I think this is a must-try. It's only a snack anyway so it probably won't be your only stop. read more
Saw pictures on yelp and had to try it! I ordered the tasting platter which is more expensive but totally worth it. I wasn't sure what ball was what expect the truffle because it was so strong! I love when the taste of truffles are strong. The balls were so crispy and googy in the inside. Perfectly deep fried goodness. I don't think sauce is necessary. The balls have enough flavor on it's on. read more
7 years ago
7 years ago
Very tasty treats the tasting menu offers great variety! Super crunchy on the outside and creamy on the inside read more
9 years ago
Situated in De Foodhallen, the ultra-hipster food hall (we can't call this a food "court," much to trendy) this tiny, almost-hidden stall creates one of the most Dutch things in a hall full of global tastes. Dutch "ballen" are traditionally filled with meat blended into a roux-like substance, encased in breadcrumbs and deep fried. At de BallenBar, they shake it up with flavors beyond beef--truffles, old cheese and spinach, a thai option, and a boulliabase. For €6.50 you can try all five, cooked fresh to order. DELICIOUS! Across the way you can buy beer or wine from, again, the hipper-than-hip sellers. read more
8 years ago
Bitterballen! I had never heard of it before traveling to Amsterdam. Once I tried it... I started getting it everywhere! This place is good! And I love that they have several different varieties, whereas most restaurants only offer the classic one with the meat and gravy ( that's what it was like to me) in it! Definitely worth trying this local snack food! read more
8 years ago
Tasty fried meatballs in a variety of flavors! My friend heard about this place and so we planned a lunch visit to try it. It's a good stand near a back corner in the Foodhallen. They have a simple menu, with several kinds of ballen and a few sauces to accompany them. My friends decided to share the 3 Truffel and 3 Rund balls, with a side of the truffle sauce (mayo?). I like variety so I ordered the Tasting Platter: one each of Rund (beef), Truffel, Bouillabaisse, Tom kha kai, and spinach. They are served piping hot and my set came with coarse mustard. I was surprised to find that they were quite different from what I expected; they were not so much "meatballs" as fried balls of roux/stew. The beef was pretty underwhelming; the Tom Kha was tasty; the Truffel was flecked with black truffle but it wasn't overwhelming; the spinach reminded me of a hot spinach/artichoke dip in ball form (yum); my favorite was easily the Bouillabaisse, which had great flavor and teeny tiny shrimp in it! Overall, it was fun to try and not too pricey. I wish the Chorizo ballen had been on the tasting platter. Go with a couple people and try the whole menu! read more
More info about De Ballenbar
Bellamyplein 51
1053 Amsterdam
The Netherlands
Kinkerbuurt, Oud West, West
Directions
0575-510005
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http://deballenbar.com/over-de-ballenbar/
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