The Brussels museum scene gained a sizzling new addition to its offer in spring 2025, with the opening of a showcase celebrating what it calls “a Belgian culinary icon”. The Frietmuseum, not far from the Manneken Pis statue, raises up the humble potato fry as a “symbol of our culinary heritage”.
Through a “fun, interactive and gourmet” experience, the museum invites visitors to discover “the origins, culture, and secrets behind the making of this globally beloved delicacy,” the museum’s webpages say.
What makes Belgian fries so special?
Readers may notice the avoidance of the term “French fry” in this article. That’s because the Belgian fry is a different beast with its own history and is traditionally double fried in beef or duck fat. Some chefs even claim the Belgian variety must be cut exactly 13 mm thick for the perfect crunch and satisfaction. As a Brit, this writer is a fair convert from the classic British chip, often softer and paler, to the more toothsome, deep gold Belgian variety, although I refuse to give up my vinegar.
There are households that have a dedicated chip day in their diary, while others firmly believe that fries can be good for us. Among the roughly 5,000 kiosks selling Belgian friteries or frietkots around the country, some are beloved and protected as cultural heritage, while the Belgian fry itself is a UNESCO treasure.
A personal collection infused with “humour and passion”
The Frietmuseum is the brainchild of Eddy Van Belle, who also happens to be the man behind the nearby chocolate attraction, “Choco Story”. Many of the exhibits come from Van Belle’s own collection of fry paraphernalia. The personal character of the curation contributes to the overall atmosphere which is infused, promotional materials say, “with a touch of humour and a generous dose of passion.”
From 10:00 am to 6:00 pm, visitors can enjoy an interactive journey through the fry’s background, mythology, and secrets, from the history of the potato itself as a Peruvian novelty in 16th century Europe to the snack’s current status as an embedded part of Belgian culture.
150,000 visitors a year expected
While Choco Story draws around 230,000 guests a year, the Frietmuseum is anticipating 150,000 visitors annually to start with, founder Van Belle said. The venue’s grand opening was attended by Brussels Mayor Philippe Close and Bernard Lefèvre, president of the national fry-making guild, the National Federation of Friturists. At the launch, Van Belle said the museum chimes well with a municipal strategy to refurb ten of the city’s friteries.
The Fries Museum is part of the Fascineum Experience Museums group, which comprises 15 museums across two continents, attracting 850,000 visitors worldwide.
