Local food map Brussels (Belgium)
Brussels guides
Recipes 10
Pick a recipe
All Brussels recipes
Chicory Tart — traditional dish from Brussels, Belgium
Main course Vegetarian

Food Flavour DNA

Nutritional Values

🔥620kcal
💪21gProtein
🌾35gCarbs
🥑45gFat
🌿4gFibre
⚖️250 gServing

* Per serving · 250 g. May vary.

Allergens

🌾 Gluten 🥛 Dairy 🥚 Eggs

Chicory Tart

How to order / say it
Say it Tarte au chicon — [tart oh shee-kawn]
Order I'd like a chicon tart, please.
Locally Je voudrais une tarte au chicon, s'il vous plaît.
Say locally

A savory tart featuring sautéed chicory and cheese baked in a buttery crust.

Why try it?

Highlighting Belgium's fondness for chicory, this tart is an example of the country's ability to transform simple, locally-grown ingredients into flavorful dishes. It's a nod to regional agriculture and culinary creativity.

How it tastes

Rich and creamy with a slight bitterness from the chicory, the tart's texture combines the crunch of a flaky crust with the smoothness of the cheese filling, offering a delightful gastronomic experience.

Origin & History — first documented: 1880

Chicory, also known as endive, became a popular crop in Belgium in the 19th century. The tart is believed to have originated as a way to utilize abundant local chicory, baked into a pie to enhance its earthy flavor and complement the Belgian affinity for indulgent, cheesy dishes.

Recipe

Ingredients

  • 🥕 300 g chicory
  • 🌾 250 g puff pastry
  • 🥛 150 g gruyère cheese
  • 🥛 100 ml cream
  • 🥚 2 whole eggs
  • 🥛 30 g butter

Method

  1. 1 Preheat oven and roll out puff pastry in a tart pan.
  2. 2 Sauté chicory in butter until softened.
  3. 3 Whisk eggs and cream, then mix in cheese and chicory.
  4. 4 Pour filling into crust and bake until set.

More from Brussels

Belgian Fries © Wikimedia Commons
Snack Vegan

Belgian Fries

Frieten
FREE-ten

Thick, twice-fried potato fries served with mayonnaise.
Stoemp © Wikimedia Commons
Main course Vegetarian

Stoemp

Shtoomp

A mashed potato dish mixed with various vegetables.
Speculoos © Wikimedia Commons
Snack Vegetarian

Speculoos

Speculaas
SPEH-koo-lahs

Spiced shortcrust cookies from Belgium, popular during holidays.
Endive au Gratin © Wikimedia Commons
Main course Meat

Endive au Gratin

Chicons au gratin
SHEE-kon oh grah-TAN

Baked endives wrapped in ham slathered in béchamel sauce.
Brussels Sprouts © Wikimedia Commons
Side dish Vegetarian

Brussels Sprouts

Choux de Bruxelles
SHOO duh broo-SELL

These small cabbage-like vegetables are often roasted till crispy.
Waffle © Wikimedia Commons
Dessert Vegetarian

Waffle

Gaufre
GOHF-ruh

A light batter cake cooked between two hot plates with square holes.
🌿
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.
Brussels Waffle © Wikimedia Commons
Dessert Vegetarian

Brussels Waffle

Gaufre de Bruxelles
goh-freh duh broo-sells

Light and crispy waffles dusted with powdered sugar, often topped with fruits.
🥩
Main course Meat

Rabbit with Prunes

Konijn met Pruimen
koh-NAYN met PROW-men

A slow-cooked rabbit stew with a sweet prune sauce.
🌱
Drink Vegan

Bruges White Beer

Brugse witte
BROOJ-zeh WEE-teh

A refreshing, citrus-flavored Belgian wheat beer.
All Europe recipes — Belgium — Brussels — Chicory Tart
keyboard_arrow_up