Amsterdam Curated: City and Food

  Until I wrote this review, I had visited this place about 4-5 times since last November. On my way to the Rijksmuseum from Weesperplein, I randomly noticed the "World Famous Pink Noodles" sign on their glass wall. Intrigued, I decided to look up the place and was pleasantly surprised to find an impressive 4.9 rating on Google Maps. Indeed, their menu features a few unconventional items. While Yentafo, the famous Thai Pink Noodles, has been starting to appear on a few places' menus, it remains relatively low-key and not very common yet in Amsterdam. This restaurant proudly considers Yentafo as their signature dish, alongside other interesting noodle options listed on the menu. The very first noodle dish I tried at this restaurant was the Beef Noodle Soup. While the most famous beef noodle soup in Southeast Asia is undoubtedly Vietnamese Pho, Bangkok offers a plethora of amazing beef noodle options , including the renowned Wat Dong Moon Lek noodles and Wattana Panich , k...

We discovered China Sichuan restaurant while browsing through Time Out's 2024 Amsterdam Restaurant List . To be honest, the list had its share of hits and misses, but this place stood out as the sole Chinese restaurant listed, catching my attention. Although I've known about this restaurant for a couple of years, I had previously dismissed it as just another mundane chain establishment. We found out that the restaurant had several branches, with three located around Chinatown and one at Sexyland in Noord. Uncertain of which location to choose, we opted for the original one.  Upon examining the menu, we noticed that their prices were significantly higher compared to other Chinese restaurants in Amsterdam, with most main dishes priced at over 20 Euros. Despite the steep prices, the restaurant seemed to be quite popular, so we decided to make a reservation. Their menu resembled a book, featuring options in both English and Chinese, accompanied by pictures for every single dish, wh...

I found Ranchi Amsterdam in quite a random way. I went to Rise bakery for but they were sold out, then I was looking for somewhere I could have some snack. Then I found Ranchi Amsterdam with 4.8 google rating, then I got curious and went there.  It wasn't your typical Japanese Tonkatsu or Katsusando joint; instead, it resembled a legitimate cafe. However, the air was thick with the smell of frying oil, unmistakably signaling that Katsu was being prepared in the kitchen. The establishment attracted a steady stream of customers and delivery personnel. After placing my order, I decided to read about the description of the place through their website. I had assumed there must be some Japanese staff in the kitchen, but it turned out to be solely a venture run by two Dutch guys since 2020. I ordered a Katsu-sando. Certainly, I didn't expect it to be like Omotesando  Maisen or Nihonbashi  Udagawa 's Katsusando, but I definitely didn't antic...

The W Hotel opened its doors in Amsterdam in October 2015. While the trendy and chic brand identity was once unique when the W chain was first launched under Starwood and now with Marriott, it has somewhat faded with competition. However, W hotels continue to maintain their value, and the W Amsterdam is no exception. Situated on the 6th floor of the W Amsterdam, the W Hotel's rooftop lounge remains one of the most sought-after destinations in the city. Adorned with black, grey, and gold interior decor, it exudes trendiness and sophistication. Its expansive glass walls offer breathtaking views of Amsterdam, allowing guests to gaze directly upon the historic Magna Plaza, once the city's main post office. For a more detailed view, please check out the YouTube video above. If you're lucky, which is quite rare in Amsterdam except during the summer months, you can grab a seat outside the window and bask in the sun. However, as you're likely...

Situated in a quiet back alley in the De Weteringschan district of Amsterdam, closer to Frederiksplein, Bistrot des Alpes has been one of the most talked-about bistros in Amsterdam since its opening in 2015. It was also reviewed by the Gault et Millau guide and garnered 13 points from the review The bistrot offers traditional dishes from the Haute Savoie region of France, known for its cheese fondue, raclette, and tartiflette. As you can see in the picture, the restaurant is decorated like a chalet from the French Alps, with wooden and copper elements. As soon as you step into the place, you feel like you've teleported to a small chalet in France, no longer in Amsterdam. I started the dinner with a Crémant from Savoie by Cave du Prieuré. It was a bit fruity and slightly more on the acidic side; the wine had a creamy texture with smooth bubbles. As a welcoming treat, we were served Gougère, a French savory choux pastry made with choux dough mixed...

(Be sure to check out the video below for a one-minute video of Phu Thai Thai Take Away) Unlike Vietnamese or Malay cuisine, Amsterdam offers quite a few excellent Thai food options throughout the city. While Vietnamese cuisine lacks much variety beyond Pho, and Malay restaurants are initially scarce in number, Thai cuisine boasts a considerable presence across the city, with numerous options available, including Issan food. Right in front of the Nieuwmarkt station's exit stands Phu Thai Thai Take Away, a restaurant highly recommended by a Thai Instagrammer. She considers it the best Thai food spot, and whenever I visit, I consistently notice groups of Thai people dining here. They specialize in Issan cuisine, which is the North Eastern Cuisine of Thailand, featuring Issan specialties on their menu. Additionally, rare menu items such as stewed pork bone (Kha mu) are available. Having enjoyed Kha Mu from Bangkok's Charoensang Silom, it was one of the most...