Celebrating International Belgian Fries Day

Each year on 1 August, Belgians—and fry lovers around the world—come together to celebrate La Journée Internationale de la Frite Belge, or International Belgian Fries Day.

This event is a tribute to one of Belgium’s most beloved culinary treasures: the humble, yet iconic, frite. The Belgian fry is a cultural symbol, rooted in centuries of history, steeped in tradition, and fiercely protected by a proud nation.

From its murky origins in 17th-century Namur to its place today as a globally recognised delicacy, the Belgian fry has become a cornerstone of national pride. With a unique double-frying technique that yields a crisp golden exterior and fluffy interior, the frite is prepared with unmatched precision by Belgium’s 5,000-plus frituristes. International Belgian Fries Day celebrates this culinary mastery, highlights the economic and cultural importance of the fry, and promotes its status as a true gastronomic heritage.

The origins and legacy of the Belgian fry

Although potatoes arrived in Belgium in the 16th century, it wasn’t until the 19th century that they became a common midday meal. The most widely shared tale of their origin goes back to the town of Namur in the 17th century, where frozen rivers disrupted the fishing trade. Locals, in a moment of ingenuity, sliced potatoes in the shape of fish and fried them in oil—a practice that may have given birth to the fry.

Despite disputes over whether France or Belgium can truly claim the invention, what remains undisputed is the deep affection Belgians have for their frites. In fact, Belgians are so protective of their fried potatoes that they have petitioned Merriam-Webster to include the word frites as a distinct culinary term, separate from the generic “French fries.” Since 2017, Belgian fries have even held the status of intangible cultural heritage in Belgium, and a 2018 petition aimed to elevate this recognition to UNESCO level.

A day of national pride and festivities

International Belgian Fries Day is a showcase of national identity. Celebrated across Belgium and increasingly abroad, the day includes a range of festive activities. Friteries distribute free fries, restaurants offer special menus, and towns organise tastings, fry-themed contests, and culinary demonstrations. It’s also a day for raising awareness of traditional preparation methods and the role of the fry in Belgian society.

Average Belgians consume around 16 kilograms of fries per year, underscoring their central place in the local diet. The typical Belgian frite undergoes a meticulous two-step frying process: first cooked at a lower temperature to ensure tenderness, then refried at a high temperature to achieve crispiness. And of course, the Belgian frites would not be complete without their range of accompanying sauces.

Belgian Fries in the context of global food innovation: Spotlight on SIAL Paris

As consumer tastes evolve and demand for convenience rises, fries are finding new relevance in the global food market. This intersection of tradition and innovation is evident at SIAL Paris, one of the world’s premier food industry exhibitions. The Ready Meals & Food‑To‑Go sector at SIAL Paris powerfully illustrates how heritage dishes like frites can be transformed into formats for modern lifestyles.

At the latest edition of the show, some 300 exhibitors were dedicated to the Ready Meals & Food‑To‑Go category, with approximately 90 percent of them hailing from outside France, underscoring the international nature of the sector. The global ready‑meals market is now estimated at about €190 billion. Europe contributes around 23 percent of that turnover, amounting to approximately €45 billion.

At SIAL Paris, industry leaders, buyers, and innovators converge to explore fast, accessible, and flavourful food solutions that align with modern lifestyles. Fries—and similar products—play a key role in this sector, not only as beloved comfort food but as adaptable, premium offerings in the grab-and-go market. Whether frozen, air-fried, or served in gourmet formats, fries have their place in quick-service and retail formats around the world while responding to the ever-growing demand for convenience.

Image credit: CCPictureHunters – Wikimedia Commons

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