Shadowing Practice: How TikTok is Ruining Travel - Learn English Speaking with Video

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This is the top rated place in all of Amsterdam to get strope waffles.
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Well, at least if you're asking TikTok.
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If you ask anyone else, pretty much the exact opposite.
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RIP-OFF.
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23 euro for two small plain strope waffles.
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100% do not recommend.
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Stay away.
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Avoid this tourist trap.
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Huge disappointment.
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A tourist trap best avoided.
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Long queue.
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Very expensive.
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Overhyped.
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It was the worst strope waffle in Amsterdam.
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This is the reality of getting travel advice from TikTok, where oftentimes the people that are giving the advice aren't actually locals, they have no idea what they're actually talking about,
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and most of the time the places they choose aren't actually good, they're just, you know, the most flashy, so therefore they do well with the algorithm.
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Ooh.
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Now Amsterdam's not the only place that suffers from the TikTok tax.
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I have genuinely seen the park in front of St. Paul's
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Cathedral being listed on an Instareel as a hidden gem of London.
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Ah yes, that building that can be seen from most parts of London.
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Quite a big secret.
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Darn, I hope they don't find out about the big clock tower we got.
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The locals would be so angry.
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Where was I?
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Hi, I'm Evan Edinger, that YouTuber that sometimes makes videos comparing the UK and the US or whatever else I fancy.
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And today we're diving into why you shouldn't always trust TikTok when it comes to travel recommendations, especially in Amsterdam.
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Let's start with the Strope Waffle, but not the one you might be thinking about.
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This is what most Brits probably think of when they hear the term Strope Waffle, A pre-packaged caramel waffle that they sell in the Starbucks or grocery store.
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Whereas this falling apart thing, this is the real deal.
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This is a fresh strope waffle.
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It's not just the size that counts, but it's how fresh it's made.
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It's the oozing caramel coming out the sides.
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Mmm, oh my god.
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Night and day.
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It's like going to Wagamama's and saying, you've had a true Japanese experience.
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Stop that.
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A freshly made strope waffle is a world apart than the pre-packaged ones that you can find in the grocery store.
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It's not just a cookie.
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It's an experience.
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Two freshly made thin waffles made right in front of you, and then in the middle, hot caramel squished in between.
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It's my favorite cookie, if you can even call it that.
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TikTok's top choice for Stroopwafels in Amsterdam might feel like the obvious choice.
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I mean, there are strength in numbers usually, but if you're someone that genuinely gets most of your travel advice from TikTok,
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well, there would be one place that was definitely showing up in your feed over and over and over.
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And that's Van Wanderen Stroopwafels. So that's
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the expectation, and here's the reality.
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First you wait in a 20 minute queue with everyone else that considers TikTok a valid source of information,
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then after waiting you find just one of the Strope Waffles costs nearly 20 euros.
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Finally, you take a bite and realize you've ascended.
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Now I understand why on Van Wondernam's website they claim to be the world's best stroke waffle.
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Because it's all just marketing bullshit.
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They cover their stroke waffle and candies to attempt to hide the fact that the core stroke waffle is incredibly mid.
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A simple look at Google Maps would have probably helped most people out of the situation.
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If you look at the Google reviews on Google Maps for Van Wanderen, they have over 5,000 reviews.
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That's a lot.
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However, the average review for 5,000 reviews is a 3.3.
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Yikes.
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And it's a shame, because there's a lot of Stroopwafel places around Amsterdam enjoyed by locals and tourists alike.
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In one way, it's a good thing, because the actually good places aren't clogged up with tourists that are more interested in Instagramming the food than eating it.
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And so for you right now, I'm going to take you to the three places in Amsterdam that actually have good Stroopwafel worth trying.
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If you're annoyed at how I pronounce Amsterdam differently every time I say it, so am I.
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My brain is very confused.
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First up is Rudy's in Albert Kuipe Market.
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Rudy's has been serving up the same recipe of stroopwafels from the small food truck in the market since 1978.
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Just one original stroopwafel please.
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And you'd think with a story and a history like that, Rudy's would be charging even more than the TikTok place.
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But you'd actually be wrong.
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They're less than a fifth of the price.
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How much is it?
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$250.
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Lovely.
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And that's the way it should be, to be honest.
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It's a cookie.
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Kinda.
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It's a strobe waffle.
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Not your bag, love you.
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No, no, no. Incredible bargain.
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The ones in the center that are for TikTok.
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Yeah.
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And today, the day that I got to visit, Rudy, the OG Rudy, was actually there serving me up.
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Rudy's original.
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This is Rudy.
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Wow.
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The papa is here today.
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Original.
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You're lucky.
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The papa is here.
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Looks delicious.
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Oh, the original.
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No chocolate for me, please.
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Rudy's is the way a stroopwafel should be.
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Cheap, incredibly fresh, delicious, crisp, moist.
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It's perfect.
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I would say if you're looking for a stroopwafel in the original recipe, you really can't find any better than Rudy's.
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One of the big issues with Rudy's stroopwafels is that they're not open all the time.
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They're actually only open four days of the week, and of those days, they also close at 5 p.m.
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What if you've had a, I don't know, some special things at a coffee shop in Amsterdam at like 7 p.m
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and you want a hot, fresh stroopwafel?
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Can't go there.
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So therefore, my second pick is Melly's Stroke Waffle.
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Now, Melly's Stroke Waffle, they're not made fresh in front of you.
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You don't see them making them.
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They're not hot, so there's some negative points there.
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But they do taste amazing.
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It's a solid stroke waffle.
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Wish it was hotter and fresher.
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But in terms of, like, always open and stuff, it's a good one.
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Now, Melly's does cost quite a bit more, but they do provide toppings, if that's something you're after.
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I would say that if you're going to go there to bring some back, getting their made prepackaged ones are actually pretty good.
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I like to give these as gifts to my family whenever I visit Amsterdam to be like, here you go, I brought you these.
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Please love me.
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They are very fresh and crisp and delicious.
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Probably some of the best packaged stroopwafels you can get.
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But now it's time to stray from the traditional recipe and move on to my favorite stroopwafel in all of Amsterdam.
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Hans Eggstorf.
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Whereas most stroopwafel have a very similar base with a little variation, I feel like their batter,
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their dough, their stroopwafel actually tastes more like a waffle than a cookie.
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Like, there's a bit of a pancake-y taste, a bit of a waffly taste that is definitely not the original recipe, but I think actually makes it just that much better.
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Plus there is something to be said about being able to
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watch them make the hot fresh stroopwafel right in front of you.
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It does add a bit to it.
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The vibe of the whole place, it's very nice.
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Now the cost of getting one at Hans Eggstorf is right here, but this plus Mellie's plus Rudy's is still less than the cost of the TikTok one in Van Wanderen.
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Now for the vegans in my audience feeling a bit left out, There is one place that I can recommend for vegan stroopwafel.
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It's right down the street from the TikTok place And it's called Queen's Stroopwafels.
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They're a little expensive at 10 euro
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And they're not as good as the non vegan ones in my opinion
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But I did introduce some of my vegan friends to them last time I was in Amsterdam
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and they seemed to like them quite a lot.
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Queen's vegan Nice little place here Is it nice?
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Really good.
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Oh sweet.
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I wasn't expecting to like it because stroopwafel was a little bit overwhelming.
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It's bit sugary.
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But my god, it's so good.
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It's such good balance.
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Fresh ones are so much better than the ones you get that are hard as well.
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I don't think I've ever had a fresh one.
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Yeah, this is the only place you can get really good at, but it's Amsterdam.
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I really don't like them when they're dry. So here's the thing.
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There's nothing wrong with using TikTok or Instagram to find some inspiration on places to go or where to eat.
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As long as you don't let it be the only place of inspiration.
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Whenever I'm researching for places to go in a city I've never been
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or a city that I want to know more about, The first place I really go is local subreddits, because finding out, for instance, what the best burger in Amsterdam is,
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is really easy when there are multiple threads on the Amsterdam subreddit of locals arguing, whether it's Burger Bar or Beef Chief.
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I've tried Burger Bar.
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It was actually pretty good.
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It's not quite Burgermeister in Berlin, but gets my stamp of approval.
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Or I usually also check out some travel vlogs on YouTube because I feel like I can quickly parse that information.
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TikTok is everything is just so gleamy.
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That's kind of the whole point of the platform.
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You don't have time to process things on it.
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YouTube is a bit more longer, drawn out, and you can still watch it at two times speed.
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The optimal way of watching anything.
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Except my videos, don't do that to my watch time, please.
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You see a really long queue around the corner, you know, our monkey brains go, Ooh, must be popular, must be good, and...
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Rarely is.
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It's not just Stropewafel that has been subject to the TikTok tax, but also fries.
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You know the expression, cheap as chips?
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Well, not so much here.
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This is Fabelfriet, a shop in the 9 streets area of Amsterdam that specializes in aesthetically pleasing french fries.
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Fabelfriet have leaned in really hard to the TikTok audience.
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During the pandemic they posted a lot showing their aesthetically pleasing chips and well, now the queue wraps around the block.
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The issue is just how much the insane footfall affects the nearby businesses to the shop.
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Fabelfried has to employ two bouncers to manage the queue, including an area just in front of the shop where they have to have a break, and then more people on the other side of the street over top of the bridge.
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You'd be forgiven for thinking this is a queue for some sort of celebrity rather than some French fries.
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But the biggest issue here is that the shop is so small, it doesn't have enough seating to satisfy the insane footfall generated by the TikToks,
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and therefore the people are just spilling out all over the place.
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So much so that the residents that live here have signs saying, please don't sit here, plastered on their door.
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I just spoke to a local business owner who also said she's having a lot of negative impacts
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because people are standing in front of her shop, blocking visibility.
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They have to put signs up all over the place, and yet it still doesn't seem to be helping.
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In situations like this, I think it would make a lot more sense
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if the business owner of the french fry shop would move to a larger location to accommodate the footfall.
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However, part of me thinks, well, this is all part of his plan because the giant queue
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that he has probably is going to convince more people that are passing by, oh, maybe this is worth it, as opposed to just waiting 30 minutes for some french fries with fancy sauce on it.
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But hey, looks good on the gram.
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I will say that the business owners of Fable of Treats have definitely leaned into TikTok, but at this point they've come out and said,
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we don't want to be seen as the TikTok place.
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Hey, can I ask you a question?
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How did you find out about this place?
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Oh, um, internet.
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Was it TikTok?
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TikTok, alright.
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Can I ask you a question?
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How did you find out about this place?
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TikTok.
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TikTok.
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Can I ask you where you found this place from? In TikTok.
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TikTok.
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Where did you find out about this place?
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Tick Tock.
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Tick Tock.
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From Tick Tock.
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Tick Tock.
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Alright.
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Well whose fault was that?
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Six euros forty cents.
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That's reasonably priced.
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Yeah I know.
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If you wait outside we'll cut Evan Linsert.
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Thank you very much.
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Evan.
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Evan.
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So I've just got myself some of their chips
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because after seeing me filming for so long the employees let me skip the queue a bit.
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YouTuber privileges.
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Alright let's see.
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Are these chips worth all the hype?
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That's actually pretty good.
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These are delicious.
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I will also say, despite the incredibly long queue and the stressful situation for all the neighbors, they have not yet jacked up the price of these chips.
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These chips are only £6.40.
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And even though there are a lot of more well-established brands around Amsterdam selling Belgian fries, this place, with all of its TikTok fame,
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could very well just increase the price and do what Ben Wunderen did.
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But, it's a good product, not that expensive.
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Maybe it's not too much their fault, but it's so popular.
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The seagulls are after me.
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This is not yours, it's mine.
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Mine, mine, mine.
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MINE?

Context & Background

The dialogue in this video focuses on the impact of social media, particularly TikTok, on travel experiences. The speaker, Evan Edinger, humorously critiques travel suggestions sourced from TikTok, underscoring the disconnect between popular recommendations and authentic local experiences. He highlights a famous destination for stroopwafels in Amsterdam that may not live up to the hype, emphasizing the importance of seeking genuine local insights over trending posts. This context provides an excellent opportunity for English learners to engage with conversational language while exploring common travel scenarios.

Top 5 Phrases for Daily Communication

  • "Tourist trap" - A place that is overpriced or overrated, as often highlighted by visitors rather than locals.
  • "Do not recommend" - A phrase used when suggesting that others should avoid something.
  • "Local insights" - Information and recommendations that come from residents rather than tourists.
  • "Huge disappointment" - A phrase describing something that did not meet expectations.
  • "Freshly made" - Referring to food items that are prepared just before they are served, often providing a superior taste experience.

Step-by-step Shadowing Guide

Utilizing the shadowing technique can greatly enhance your understanding and speaking skills in English. Here’s a step-by-step guide to effectively shadow the content from this video:

  1. Listen Actively: Play the video and listen carefully to the dialogue. Focus on the speaker's tone, pace, and pronunciation.
  2. Pause & Replay: After listening to a segment, pause the video. Replay the portion to ensure you grasp the words correctly.
  3. Repeat Aloud: Mimic the speaker's phrases aloud. Pay special attention to expressions like "tourist trap" or "do not recommend." This practice helps internalize vocabulary relevant for travel conversations.
  4. Record Yourself: Use your phone or a recording device to capture your shadowing attempts. This allows you to hear your pronunciation and adjust accordingly.
  5. Engage with the Content: To enrich your IELTS speaking practice, discuss the ideas presented in the video with peers or language partners, incorporating new vocabulary like shadowspeak and shadow speaks. This peer interaction will help solidify your learning.

By consistently employing this shadowing technique, you’ll notice improvements in your fluency and confidence while speaking. Engaging with authentic content, such as travel anecdotes, not only enriches your vocabulary but also prepares you for real-world conversations

What is the Shadowing Technique?

Shadowing is a science-backed language learning technique originally developed for professional interpreter training and popularized by polyglot Dr. Alexander Arguelles. The method is simple but powerful: you listen to native English audio and immediately repeat it out loud — like a shadow following the speaker with just a 1–2 second delay. Unlike passive listening or grammar drills, shadowing forces your brain and mouth muscles to simultaneously process and reproduce real speech patterns. Research shows it significantly improves pronunciation accuracy, intonation, rhythm, connected speech, listening comprehension, and speaking fluency — making it one of the most effective methods for IELTS Speaking preparation and real-world English communication.