I love Japanese Ramen. I know it's not the healthiest food, but I've always loved its addictive flavour. Thanks to the proximity and cheap flight tickets, I used to visit Japan a few times a year when I lived in Asia.
Some of my favourite destinations are Sapporo and Fukuoka, which are two of the top three ramen cities in Japan. Japanese people love to rank things, like the top three ramens (Sapporo, Hakata, and Kitakata) or the top three udons (Sanuki, Inaniwa, and Mizusawa). I sometimes find it amusing how many lists they have. Nevertheless, I can tell you that these ramen cities - although I haven't visited Kitakata, located in Fukushima - are serious, and there's undeniable authenticity there
Since I'm not Japanese, you may not approve of my taste. That's possible. Still, Ramen is one of my favourite Japanese delicacies, and I've visited quite a few great ramen places all over Japan. I consider Ganso Nagahamaya (元祖長浜屋) in Fukuoka and Baikohken (梅光軒) in Asahikawa to be the best ramen for me. (I also enjoyed Taiho ramen of Kurume 大砲ラーメン 本店, and Tontoro ramen of Kagoshima (鹿児島ラーメン 豚とろ) as well.)
I think most of you would have a similar experience - finding decent ramen isn't an easy job, even in Japan. There are many ramen places - also in Amsterdam - but not many are authentic.
In light of the difficulty of finding a decent ramen place, Ramen-Kingdom at the central station is a safe choice for Amsterdam. It was founded by Daisuke Enomoto 榎本大輔, the famous ex-executive of Livedoor, a Japanese online platform, who would have been the fourth space tourist. Ramen-Kingdom showcases quite decent Japanese flavour.
Just like us, you may have to wait in line to get a seat here. We arrived around 7 pm, and there were quite a few people still lined up in front of the store. We asked if we could get a seat, and the Japanese staff told us the store was at full capacity and couldn't take any more orders for a while. After a while, he told us that we could place an order with the machine. After getting the ticket from the machine, we were ordered to wait outside. If you arrive and see a line, don't forget to tell the staff that you're there. They'll tell you what to do.
After 20 minutes of waiting, they guided us to sit inside, right behind the ramen bar, and gave us the bar seats. One tip: I found out that most people sat on their jackets and placed their bags next to the chair, but there are hooks beneath the bar. As soon as we sat down, they brought us what we ordered. I ordered the basic pork ramen and added some more bamboo shoots.
The ramen bowl was honestly much smaller than those in Japan (and I paid more than twice the price of my favourite places in Japan), so I immediately lowered my expectations. However, as soon as I had a sip of its Tonkotsu (pork bone) broth, I changed my mind. It was good.
The Tonkotsu broth served at Ramen Kingdom featured a subtle hint of shio broth and was accompanied by two thick slices of charsiu, thinly sliced green scallions, black fungus, ajitamago (boiled egg), and julienned spicy bamboo shoots.
While the broth was slightly milder than typical Japanese Tonkotsu ramen, it possessed a good level of umami flavor with a hint of sweetness, reaching an authentic level. However, the most striking aspect of this ramen was the perfectly cooked charsiu, which impressed with its thickness and flavor.
The runny center egg was quite good as well - the marinated white was interesting. Choosing between the basic ramen and the spicy version proved challenging, and after a few sips, the addition of sichimi or rayu would have been a welcomed option. Although these condiments were not initially available, the discovery of the original rayu was later found to be offered. Those seeking additional spiciness should request this flavorful sauce. The noodle texture was soft but lacked the desired firmness and springiness typically found in Hakata-style Tonkotsu ramen.
Since its establishment in 2019, Ramen Kingdom has gained consistent, positive reviews from Amsterdam locals and tourists across all major online platforms. The authenticity and quality of their ramen have captured the hearts and taste buds of many, offering a unique and memorable experience for lovers of Japanese cuisine. Although the distance from Fukuoka to Amsterdam is over 9,000 km, this lovely ramen experience made it feel like a little slice of Japan was present in the heart of Amsterdam.
Ramen Kingdom
Prins Hendrikkade 83H, 1012 AE Amsterdam
+31 020 757 0641
Thanks for reading!
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