Bløf’s star mussels

Paskal Jacobsen — you know, the one from Bløf — doesn’t just sing about mussels and Zeeland, he sells them there too. But eat them? No way.

Together with two-Michelin-starred chef Edwin Vinke, Paskal opened eetcafé Hard & Ziel in Middelburg in October 2018. On the menu: street food from all over the world, with a Zeeland twist. How could it be any different with owners so firmly rooted in Zeeland’s clay.

Edwin (from Michelin-starred restaurant De Kromme Watergang) came up with the menu: ramen with Zeeland pork belly (€10), Zeeland bravas (€5) and, of course, mussels. In this case, Greek-style with pasta, onion, garlic, olive oil and garden herbs (€12.50).

Confession time

You’d spontaneously start craving mussel festivals, wouldn’t you, Paskal? “Well, no. I don’t like mussels.”

Whoa, whoa, whoa, rewiiiiind. What?! Paskal Jacobsen, Bløf frontman, brand-new hospitality entrepreneur and above all the quintessential Zeeland native, doesn’t like mussels?! “No, but I do like everything else from the sea. Preferably locally caught Zeeland fish, a plaice or something. And I also love Zeeland lamb.”

And what about his own street food menu? Which one absolutely has to be tried? “quote… all of them, of course, but my favorites are….”