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Haring from Netherlands

Haring

Mild raw herring eaten with onion, held by the tail. ยท Netherlands

Also known as Hollandse Nieuwe

๐Ÿ“ Nationwide โ˜… 4.2
Last updated Aug 13, 2026 · Reviewed by the WhatWhereVacay editorial team

Mild raw herring eaten with onion, held by the tail.

About Haring

Lightly cured young herring is served with chopped raw onion and pickles, traditionally lifted by the tail and eaten in a few bites. The arrival of the new-season catch is celebrated each year in the Netherlands.

๐Ÿ›๏ธ History & Culture

Haring, or Hollandse Nieuwe, is a centuries-old Dutch delicacy rooted in the North Sea herring trade. The tradition of lightly salting and curing young herring to preserve it for export dates back to the Middle Ages, though the exact origins of the specific eating style are not precisely documented. The "new" herring of the season is celebrated with the arrival of the first catch, a festive marker of Dutch culinary heritage.

Regional variations are modest, but the fish is commonly served raw with chopped onions and pickles, often eaten by the tail as a street snack, or in a soft bun as a broodje haring. The dish carries strong cultural significance as a national symbol of Dutch maritime history and communal celebration, with the flagging of the first barrel of the season still a lively annual event. While the custom is uniquely Dutch, similar raw herring preparations appear in neighboring countries, though the New Herring festival remains distinctly associated with the Netherlands.

๐Ÿณ How to make Haring

AI-assisted, not kitchen-tested

Hollandse Nieuwe (Raw Herring with Onion and Pickles)

A Dutch springtime delicacy: young herring lightly cured, then served raw with onion and pickles. For home safety, we freeze the fish to kill potential parasites before serving.

Prep
20 min
Total
20 min
Serves
4
Difficulty
Medium

Recipe ingredients

  • 800 g (1 lb 12 oz) fresh whole herring, scaled and gutted, head and tail left on, or ask your fishmonger to prepare them
  • 50 g (1ยพ oz) coarse sea salt
  • 15 g (1 tbsp) white sugar
  • 1 small red onion, finely chopped
  • 120 g (4 oz) gherkins or pickles, sliced thin
  • 8 slices rye bread, optional, for serving

Steps

  1. 1 Rinse the herring under cold water and pat dry with paper towels.
  2. 2 In a small bowl, mix the coarse salt and sugar. Rub the mixture all over each herring, including inside the belly cavity and under the gill flaps.
  3. 3 Place the herring in a single layer in a non-reactive dish (glass or ceramic). Cover and refrigerate for 24โ€“48 hours. The salt draws out moisture and lightly cures the fish.
  4. 4 After curing, rinse each herring briefly under cold running water to remove the salt crust, then pat dry again.
  5. 5 For parasite safety, freeze the cured herring at -20ยฐC (-4ยฐF) for at least 7 days, or at -35ยฐC (-31ยฐF) for 15 hours. This is a required step to make the fish safe to eat raw. If your freezer does not reach -20ยฐC, use a commercial blast freezer or purchase herring that has been commercially frozen to this standard.
  6. 6 Thaw the frozen herring in the refrigerator overnight before serving.
  7. 7 To serve, arrange the herring on a platter. Place the chopped red onion and sliced gherkins in separate small bowls. Serve with rye bread if desired.
  8. 8 To eat in the traditional Dutch way, pick up a herring by the tail, tilt your head back, and take a bite from the top of the fish. Follow with bits of onion and pickle between bites.
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Ingredients
Steps

Haring โ€” frequently asked questions

What is Haring?

Lightly cured young herring is served with chopped raw onion and pickles, traditionally lifted by the tail and eaten in a few bites. The arrival of the new-season catch is celebrated each year in the Netherlands.

What is Haring made of?

Haring is made with raw herring, onion and pickles.

Where does Haring come from?

Haring comes from Netherlands, and is especially associated with Nationwide. Haring, or Hollandse Nieuwe, is a centuries-old Dutch delicacy rooted in the North Sea herring trade.

Where can I eat Haring?

A Dutch fish stall (haringkar), tilted back and eaten whole.

How do you make Haring?

Making Haring at home takes about 20 minutes of prep. The recipe on this page serves 4 and is rated medium. Full ingredient list and step-by-step method are in the recipe section above.

What else is Haring called?

Haring is also known as Hollandse Nieuwe.

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