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‘Ghent Noses’ and the ‘Great Butcher’s Hall’

The city of Ghent has a sugary specialty called ‘Cuberdons’ or colloquially known as the ‘gentse neuzen’ (Ghent noses). It looks hard outside but it is actually soft inside. Because it’s shelf-life is only 3 weeks, this solid purple-ish yet syrupy treat is not exported and remains sold on the streets and shops of Belgium, particularly in Ghent.

I didn’t buy because I have already tasted this before. It is actually good but I can’t handle too much sugar. I am one of those ladies who rarely eat chocolates.

So when in Ghent do try this local specialty, especially if you have a sweet tooth! Because you cannot find this anywhere outside Belgium.


And Ghent’s ‘Groot Vleeshuis’ (Great Butcher’s Hall) is a 15th century building that used to house all butchers selling fresh meat in the olden times. Nowadays it is a restaurant, gastronomic shop and a location to promote local products from the region.

So naturally being keen on locally produced products, Blondine and I went to inspect the place. There were ‘Ganda Hams’ hanging from the wooden truss roof which were quite a sight. When I was studying my Bachelor’s in Fine Arts – Interior Design, timber truss roofs were my favourite ceiling and interior roof design. Ah, all those memories of yester years…

Here are a few pictures:

Ganda hams hanging inside the Butcher’s Hall.

Search and Destroy outside the Butcher’s Hall, work of art by Mekhitar Garabedian, an Armenian born in Syria and now living in Ghent, Belgium.

Local product: Ferdinand Tierenteyn mustard.

Local product: Advocaat, a rich and creamy liquor made from eggs, sugar and brandy.

A gift basket of local products: Beer, cheese, chocolates, mustard and more.

Travel Period: July 2012
Destination: Ghent (East Flanders), Belgium

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