Ellesdiek Smokehouse

Ellesdiek Smokehouse Close to the Western Scheldt, in the shadow of Fort Ellewoutsdijk, you'll find Henk van Wijk's home smokehouse. Smoking fish has been his passion for more than 35 years. Henk is originally from Scheveningen and comes from a fishing family. After years working in the flower trade in the Randstad, he and his wife moved to Zeeland. For Henk, it's all about love of the craft, artisan tradition and pure, honest products. His motto: if the customer enjoys it, so does he. Fish smoking, he says, is one big ritual. He brines the fish wet or dry, seasons and marinates it, rinses and dries it, then lets it cure and smoke. He uses mainly beech wood, which is milder than oak. Both hot and cold smoking are available. Eel and sea bass are his favourites, alongside salmon and pork belly. Smoked eel in particular is a true delicacy. His long-held dream of having his own oyster pit in the garden, fed by seepage water from the Western Scheldt, has now become reality.