Snackspert is lyrical: ‘This is one of the best snack bars in the Netherlands!’
Eke Bosman, better known as Instagram phenomenon @snackspert, ate his first frikandel as a baby, hates vlammetjes, has devoured at least 1,500 burgers in his life, suspects there’s more mayonnaise in his body than blood, and shares his best and worst snack reviews on FavorFlav. Today, you’ll read what he thinks of Albert Heijn’s bao buns, and about the five-star-worthy snack bar snacks he ate in Haarlem.
Pulled pork and pulled chicken bao buns, Albert Heijn
Well, they’re certainly daring over at Albert Heijn. For some time now, you’ve been able to get bao buns there: the Asian steamed buns filled with deliciously slow-cooked ingredients. Think tofu, think beef, think pulled chicken or pulled pork. Well, Appie went for the last two. And yes, of course you can get much better ones at the ‘real’ places, but the pulled pork from the major supermarket chain is actually pretty damn good. Okay, the steamed bun itself is really a bit of the Wibra version of bao buns—that’s a genuine downside. Much too tough; I don’t want that. But the pulled pork is excellent: deliciously tender, good hoisin sauce, and the sweet-and-sour red cabbage isn’t even such a bad addition. Enjoyable. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
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But the pulled chicken bao bun is much less impressive. The chicken is tender enough, but the atjar on the little bun is a bit like Ten Hag’s Manchester United: far too weak. The sweet chili sauce should provide balance, but now it clashes with its mild flavor. Shame (and only 1 Better Life star—well, surely it could have one or two more stars by now, right?). ⭐️⭐️
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📍: Albert Heijn
📱: @albertheijn
💰: 4.75 euros each
Bamibal and minced meat-and-onion snack, Fons Hof snack bar, Haarlem
Fons Hof—please remember that name. You may have already heard it mentioned on my Snackspeditie podcast, or perhaps not. As far as I’m concerned, Fons Hof in Haarlem is one of the best snack bars in the Netherlands, especially when it comes to the number of homemade snacks. The percentage of factory-made snacks in the range is incredibly low compared with that of the average snack bar. And I haven’t even mentioned the bamibal and the minced meat-and-onion snack yet, because those are extra reasons to make a pilgrimage to Haarlem. The bamibal is perfectly crispy, wonderfully juicy on the inside—really not what you expect from an average bamibal. Perfection. The same goes for the minced meat-and-onion snack; like FEBO’s speciaaltje, but even creamier and even spicier. Fons Hof, a holy place in Haarlem. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
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📍: Fons Hof Catering, Haarlem
📱: @fonshofhaarlem
💰: 2.45 euros per snack
Buffalo mozzarella pizza, Lidl
Hey, a new frozen pizza in Lidl’s regular range! And look, it looks less ugly than those frozen pizzas with chicken on top that generally make you wonder whether it’s actually chicken. This frozen pizza with mozzarella is certainly good, with nice, sturdy dough too, but unfortunately it isn’t as heavenly as, for example, the one from Crosta & Mollica. And yes, of course you know what you’re getting, but I still found it far too sexless for a margherita. Add a little more sauce and it would already be more pleasurable hanky-panky in your mouth. Oh well. ⭐️⭐️⭐️
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📍: Lidl
📱: @lidlnederland
💰: 2.99 euros
Read also:
- This is the unhealthiest snack you can order at a snack bar
- Find the best snack bar near you with this guide
- Why does every snack bar have green decorations in the display case?
