Explore Guides
Local food map
Antwerp (Belgium)
Hotels in area
Dessert
Vegetarian
Food Flavour DNA
Nutritional Values
250kcal
4gProtein
35gCarbs
12gFat
2gFibre
50 gServing
* Per serving · 50 g. May vary.
Allergens
🌾 Gluten
🥛 Dairy
🥚 Eggs
🥜 Nuts
Antwerp Handjes
How to order / say it
Say it
Antwerpse Handjes — [ANT-werp-suh HAHNT-yuhs]
Order
I'd like the Antwerp Handjes, please.
Locally
Ik wil graag de Antwerpse Handjes, alstublieft.
Say locally
Shortbread cookies shaped like tiny hands, traditional to Antwerp.
Why try it?
These cookies are a sweet celebration of Antwerp's folklore, embodying the story of the giant Druon Antigoon. They're a taste of local legend and pride.
How it tastes
Crisp and buttery, with a delicate almond flavor, these cookies are both a comforting treat and a visual delight thanks to their unique shape.
Origin & History — first documented: 1900
Inspired by the legendary hand-cutting giant tale, these cookies first appeared in the early 20th century. Bakers in Antwerp crafted them as a tribute to the city's history and its emblem.
Recipe
Ingredients
- 🥛 150 g butter
- 🍯 100 g sugar
- 🌾 200 g all-purpose flour
- 🥜 50 g almond meal
- 🥚 1 egg
Method
- 1 Beat butter and sugar until creamy.
- 2 Mix in egg and almond meal.
- 3 Fold in flour and shape dough into small hand forms.
- 4 Bake at 180°C for 10-12 minutes until golden.
More from Antwerp
© Wikimedia Commons
Main course
Fish & Seafood
Moules-frites
Mosselen-friet
MOS-suh-len freet
Mussels cooked in white wine with crispy fries.
© Wikimedia Commons
Starter
Meat
Beef Tartare
Filet Américain
fee-leh ah-meh-ree-kehn
Raw minced beef served with condiments.
🌿
Starter
Vegetarian
Flemish Asparagus
Asperges op Vlaamse Wijze
ahs-PAIR-jehz awp VLAHMS-uh VAY-zuh
White asparagus garnished with hard-boiled eggs and butter.
© Wikimedia Commons
Main course
Fish & Seafood
Eel in Green Herb Sauce
Paling in 't Groen
pah-ling in t grow-en
Eel cooked in a vibrant herbed sauce.
© Wikimedia Commons
Snack
Vegan
Belgian Fries
Frieten
FREE-ten
Thick, twice-fried potato fries served with mayonnaise.
© Wikimedia Commons
Snack
Vegetarian
Speculoos
Speculaas
SPEH-koo-lahs
Spiced shortcrust cookies from Belgium, popular during holidays.
🌿
Soup
Vegetarian
Ghent mustard soup
Gentse Mosterdsoep
GENST moss-terd-soep
A creamy soup infused with the sharp flavor of mustard, typical of Ghent.
Main course
Meat
Gentse Stoverij
GENT-suh STOH-vuh-ree
A Flemish beef stew slow-cooked in dark beer.
© Wikimedia Commons
Side dish
Vegetarian
Brussels Sprouts
Choux de Bruxelles
SHOO duh broo-SELL
These small cabbage-like vegetables are often roasted till crispy.
🥩
Main course
Meat
Chicory Ham Gratin
Witloof met ham en kaas
VIT-lohf met hahm en kahs
Baked Belgian endive wrapped in ham with cheese sauce.