Deck the Halls with Oliebols

by Ida van Zwetselaar

As the days are getting darker and colder (ew), and the dire need for comfort food increases, you may have already noticed these popping up around Utrecht: oliebollen stands. Essentially, these sweets are a kind of spherical donut (they literally translate to oil balls) that Dutch people traditionally eat during new years. They usually are made with raisins or booze inside - or without, your choice, your loss. When I was little we would always have them at my grandparents’ house, and I still very much believe the taste of these OG oliebollen is unbeatable. Nowadays they remind me so much of the mandazi I miss from home, and actually many different places have their own version of this pastry, which is why I decided to dedicate this whole article to them.

When walking in the city center the other day, I was suddenly struck by the overpowering smell of deep-fried goodness. So, high on nostalgia, I followed my nose to the kraam at the Neude Square in front of the central library. However the experience would not turn out quite as I expected. Don’t get me wrong, this stand was wonderful when it came to all the baked goods they sold: appelbeignets, chocolate-covered waffles, tiny pancakes (poffertjes), churros, deep fried cake, and much more. The only problem was that, after placing my order in English with a mate, I felt quite disrespected when the person that was frying our oliebollen started talking shit to her coworker about how too many people are unwilling to learn the native tongue while living in the Netherlands. When I later confronted them in their own language about the fact that it’s rude to speak about customers while they are standing right there, she half threw the bag of treats my way and mumbled something grumpy, then shouting “NEXT!”, even though there was noone else around… So much for happy childhood memories.

Don’t be alarmed though, the family-run stand at the Vredenburg Square (which I believe is there every Wednesday, Friday and weekend) has kinder employees. As international students in the Netherlands, I really hope you try a fresh oliebol at least once during your time at UCU. I’d highly recommend gathering your friends (as

I’ll gladly show you, however I cannot guarantee they’ll be as lekker as the ones my opa & oma make.

If you’re not into the vibe of temporary oliebollenkraampjes, many bakeries have started to sell them too. Check out Bakker Roel, Bakkerij Neplenbroek and Ijssalon Lorenzo. At the last one they apparently also sell Dombollen, made with apple and cinnamon. So, my final takeaway from this whole monologue on oliebollen is to perhaps brace yourselves to face an unfriendly person working behind the counter, but please don’t be discouraged by this: the reward of biting into one of those steaming, oily, powdered-sugar-coated balls of perfect dough fritters, in my honest opinion, outweighs the fleeting disappointment of unsatisfactory customer service any day.

Main pro: access to authentic Dutch food culture AKA warm sweet snacks.

Main con: opening times and temperature (meaning how long ago they were fried) are sometimes unpredictable.

*** well as checking the weather forecast) and going to Nick’s Oliebollen at the Maliebaan - it only takes about 15 minutes to walk there from campus! And if you don’t have anybody to go with, hit me up and

We are Town & Gown, the committee basically nobody knows exists (not for long though!) but everyone could benefit from bursting the UCU bubble and getting to know your surroundings. We’ve decided to start publishing personal experiences and suggestions in and around the city of Utrecht in the Boomerang to inspire you. If you have a place, story or event to share, contact us on Instagram @town_and_gown