These 10 culinary specialties in Dijon are absolutely must-taste during your visit

What are Dijon's specialties?

1.Mustard

How not to start with this essential Dijon specialty? Mustard! This condiment is much appreciated by the French, notably thanks to its powerful aromas. Very popular during the time of the Dukes of Burgundy, it now holds the protected geographical indication of "Moutarde de Bourgogne". If you come to visit this city, you absolutely must discover the factory, "la Moutarderie Edmond Fallot" famous for its mustard production for 180 years. It's even possible to visit it, and even make your own mustard with a mustard maker!

2.Gingerbread

Dijon has become a national reference for gingerbread, by revisiting this cult recipe. It owes its reputation to the different ingredients used, notably wheat flour, honey and green anise. Over the years, this cake has taken different forms and has changed somewhat. There are now nonnettes, delicious little cakes made with gingerbread, orange marmalade and honey. And above all, don't miss discovering the fabulous Mulot et Petitjean gingerbread factory through its guided tours.

3.Beef Bourguignon

Beef Bourguignon is an emblematic dish of the region! Made with two flagship products: Charolais beef and red Burgundy wine. It holds its secret in its long cooking of several hours. The meat has time to simmer well in the red wine and in its aromatic garnish to thus become tender and very soft. This dish was traditionally consumed by peasants during feast days and on Sundays. Today, beef bourguignon is an essential dish of French gastronomy and is consumed all over the world.

4.Egg meurette

Let's stay with the Burgundy theme and now talk about this old egg-based recipe. These are actually poached and served with a Burgundy sauce (or meurette sauce) on toasted bread. This sauce is prepared with Burgundy wine, bacon bits, onions and shallots. In the past, peasants added their eggs to the sauce still in the pot, to cook them. This recipe eventually became poached eggs served with this sauce.

5.Chicken Gaston Gérard

This dish of Dijon origin is a treat for mustard lovers. What does it contain? Chicken dipped in a smooth cream with Dijon mustard. Famous for its history, chicken Gaston Gérard was created by the first wife of "Gaston Gérard", who was none other than "Reine Geneviève Bourgogne". It was during the preparation of an important dinner that the wife inadvertently spilled a large quantity of Paprika into her chicken dish. To remedy this, she added fresh cream, white wine and Comté cheese. Finally, the dish delighted their guest, the gastronome "Curnonsky". Interesting, isn't it?

6. Snails with parsley butter

Snails are often associated with Burgundy, because this mythical recipe became famous in the 1930s thanks to its garlic butter which gives this particular taste to snails cooked in the oven. It's even possible to add Burgundy mustard, the one and only. In the past, Burgundy snails were prepared from the "Helix Pomatia" species, but because of their intensive collection, this species became protected. Now, we use the "Helix Aspera Maxima" species better known as "Gros-Gris".

7.Époisses cheese

This PDO cow's milk cheese is known for its creamy texture and fruity aromas. Époisses cheese was produced for the first time by nuns at the beginning of the 16th century. Nicknamed the "king of cheeses" by "Brillat-Savarin", a gastronome and culinary author of the 19th century, Époisses is an essential specialty of Dijon. So take advantage of discovering the Berthaut Cheese Factory to discover the secrets of this magnificent creamy delicacy.

8. Blackcurrant cream

One thing is certain. It's in this region of the world that you'll taste the best blackcurrant cream of your life! Indeed, this is cooked by crushing and macerating the black Burgundy blackcurrant berries, which have the particularity of being sweet and juicy. Then, we mix them with a little alcohol, which gives a beautiful, intoxicating tint to the cream. This liqueur is generally used for meat-based dishes, or even for gourmet desserts!

9. Wine

We know what you're thinking: "Food is all very well, but what about cult drinks?" Attention all wine lovers at heart, Dijon is a wine city, therefore, it's in these places that you'll taste some of the best wines of your life! Discover wines with varied grape varieties, red, rosé, or white. Without great difficulty, you'll find the nectar that will perfectly suit your taste buds, to better accompany your dish!

10. Belle Dijonnaise Pears

What would you say about ending this succulent ranking with a sweet touch? For this, let us introduce you to the "Belle dijonnaise Pears", which are simply the result of a happy marriage between wine, blackcurrant cream, as well as (you guessed it, pears). This traditional dessert from the Beaujolais vineyard quickly became a must-have throughout the region! Usually served with a splendid blackcurrant sorbet, it's typically the kind of dish that awakens your senses, from the very first bite!