EP038 | Who Owns Fries?

Photo by Joyce Panda This editorially independent podcast has been supported by VISITFLANDERS as part of the “Food Group” series of stories. Read more. 2015 at the South by Southwest (SXSW) Music and Film Festival in Austin, Texas, the Belgian musician Paul van Haver, better known as Stromae, performed his song Moules Frites (Mussels and Fries) to an enthusiastic audience. He introduced the song by correcting the Americans on their use of the term french fries. “You know I come from Belgium so I know the truth about this,” Stromae told the crowd. “So please, French people—Don’t be so proud. Please, tell to the US citizens that the french fries is not french fries, but belgian fries. Please, stop lying. Merci beaucoup.” Fries, known as chips in Britain and Ireland and french fries in the United States and Canada, are thinly-sliced, deep-fried potatoes, often served as an accompaniment to other foods, but sometimes as a main course.  The exact origin of fries is disputed by historians, journalists, and cultural commentators. But Belgians like Stromae have claimed that fries are theirs.  In this podcast, we go deep into fries: What are they? How does Belgium’s relationship with fries differ to other countries? And why do they claim cultural ownership of these elongated pieces of deep fried potatoes? Sit back, listen, and enjoy the story of fries. *