Lately I’ve been on a ramen kick! I’m in search of the best bowl of heavenly noodles, rich broth, jammy egg and tender pork. Here’s where to find some of the best ramen in Amsterdam. And let’s not forget the worst… I’ve rated everything on a 10-point scale, 10 being high and 0 being low. Stay tuned for updates as I slurp more ramen in Amsterdam.
Before we kick this ramen in Amsterdam tour off, I must admit, my favorite of all the ramen spots in Amsterdam is officially closed – Ramen Kingdom. Ramen Kingdom was the creme de la creme of ramen. The whole city is mourning this loss – but let the hunt continue to replace Ramen Kingdom Amsterdam for the number 1 spot.
Order: Miso Ramen and Tantanmen | Overall score: 8
Breakdown: Pork – 9, Broth – 7 (slightly too oily), Noodles – 8, Egg – n/a, Ambiance – 7 (views), Price – €16.95
Taka Japanese Kitchen is only open for lunch from 12 – 4 pm Tuesday through Sunday. We went on a Sunday afternoon just before closing and were the last to be seated. Taka Japanese Kitchen is on the fourth floor of a popular Asian supermarket, Toko Dun Yong, in Amsterdam’s Chinatown. From here, the views of de Wallen (now Amsterdam’s Red Light District) are impressive and worth taking a peek at if you’re shopping around. You don’t even need to order the ramen.
I loved the no-frills lunch house atmosphere. Beverages are served straight from the bottle and the menu is equally simple. The gyoza was good, but a little pricey at $6 for four small dumplings. The ramen however, was bursting with flavor. I did find the broth oily and at times heavy. This could have been because it was the end of the day. In fact, I found small fish bones in my broth which likely meant this was the very bottom of the pot. Don’t let this deter you, it’s definitely worth a visit at €16.95 per bowl. The bigger complaint, no eggs! The eggs are often my favorite part and increase my overall score quite a bit.
Order: Shio Chintan Ramen | Overall score: 8
Breakdown: Pork.- 7, Scallop – 10, Broth – 8, Noodles – 9, Egg – 10, Ambiance – 9, Price – €25
Most days, Fuku Ramen serves a set menu in an aesthetically pleasing setting. On Sundays, Fuku hosts a la carte Social Sunday. I’d still highly suggest a reservation. Social Sunday is popular, even in summer. There are typically two ramens, one vegetarian, one non, and a selection of other smaller dishes to choose from. We loved our sashimi starter, and I can’t wait to head back to try more small dishes.
The Shio Chintan Ramen was a divine summer lunchtime ramen. The broth was lighter than what I typically like, but robust with flavor. The scallop and the egg absolutely brought this dish up a notch, both perfect. And the noodles, yes please. You can also order a second round if you have extra broth to slurp up.
The only thing keeping Fuku Ramen from a top position is the price.
Order: Vegan Shoyu Ramen and Vegan Spicy Miso Ramen | Overall score: 8
Breakdown: Toppings – 8, Broth – 8, Noodles – 8, Egg – n/a, Ambiance – 9, Price – €50 approx. for full experience
Men Impossible is one of those unique, can’t miss experiences in Amsterdam. This is not your ordinary ramen spot.
Men Impossible is an all-vegan mostly set-menu experience, located in Amsterdam’s charming Jordaan. The atmosphere is welcoming and from what I hear, authentically Japanese. In fact, it’s a one man show. The chef and owner is also the waiter, and everything else in between. Just that alone is worth witnessing.
Even if you aren’t vegan, I recommend trying Men Impossible. It’s quite a fun and friendly place to dine. But how’s the vegan ramen? The broths are deeply flavored with layers of umami and complexity. And the spicy ramen offers a nice kick. To replace the meat, the toppings include marinated tofu and fresh vegetables. The chef uses ingredients like miso and cashew nuts to create a tasty bowl – no MSG! The menu includes a selection of cold and hot starters and three types of ramen to choose from. You sit at a long shared table with a view into the open kitchen.
Reservations are required, book in advance.
I was completely enthraled with the experience and forgot to document.
Order: Tantanmen | Overall score: 7
Breakdown: Pork.- 6, Broth – 8, Noodles – 8, Egg – 7, Ambiance – 8, Price – €19.50
We went to Vatten Ramen on a rainy Sunday afternoon. Vatten Ramen is located in the city center, so it’s popular with tourists and locals alike. Previously we had visited Vatten Ramen, but they were all out of ramen, so we left to find another place for lunch. I was excited to return. We had a great seat overlooking the canals in the Red Light District. I really loved the view and the ambiance from here. The Tantanmen had good spice and spunk to it, but the classic bowls were lacking flavor. We also tried a few starters. The eggplant was very good, but the edamame was overcooked.
Order: Butama Tonkatsu | Overall score: 6
Breakdown: Pork – 6, Broth – 8, Noodles – 6, Egg – 5, Ambiance – 8, Price – €18.00
Takumi Tonkatsu Ramen offers a very solid ramen experience. The Butama Tonkatsu I ordered had a decent broth, though it needed more spice. The dish came with half an egg, which was a bit disappointing. The pork was average. For me, it had a weird texture, and the noodles could have been better. On the plus side, the ambiance was welcoming with steamy windows creating a cozy atmosphere. The service was friendly and fast, despite a small wait to be seated.
The starters were pricey and seemed like they were frozen. We tried the chicken gyoza. I’d recommend saving your money. Overall, the experience was enjoyable, especially if you’re looking for a quick bowl of Ramen in Amsterdam West. Note, Takumi is a chain with many different variations on the ramen concept. I visited the one at Foodhallen.
Order: Tonkotsu Shoyu | Overall score: 6
Breakdown: Pork – 7, Broth – 7, Noodles – 8, Egg – 6, Ambiance – 7, Price – €16.50 excludes egg
Sapporo Ramen is another good, traditional choice. It’s best to avoid peak hours since they don’t take reservations. We arrived just before 7 pm on a Friday and were seated right away. Later arrivals were turned away. We started with pan-fried gyoza, followed by the Tonkotsu Shoyu ramen.
The ramen was good but not exceptional. The broth had a bit of a burnt sesame taste, which was not ideal. The pork and noodles were okay, though nothing to get too excited about. Additionally, the egg was an extra charge and they forgot half of it in Mike’s bowl. The overall experience didn’t live up to my previous visits. I’ve heard the head chefs have changed in recent years, so that might explain it. Still, a decent spot for ramen in Amsterdam’s de Pijp.
Order: Tonkotsu Classic | Overall score: 6
Breakdown: Pork – 7, Broth – 6, Noodles – 8, Egg – 8, Ambiance – 7, Price – €14.50
Despite the fairest price of all ramen Amsterdam, €14.50 per bowl, Fou Fow Ramen has been my least favorite of this list. The broth lacked the creaminess and richness I was hoping for. It was too light, and I found myself adding a lot of spice to compensate. The pork and egg were decent, and the noodles had a good texture, but the overall experience was underwhelming.
The ambiance was one of the cleaner and more Western dining experiences, which might appeal to some. Plus, the location is in the heart of Amsterdam’s Jordaan, my favorite neighborhood. However, they don’t take reservations, so it’s best to come with a smaller group at off-peak hours. Overall, while the price is reasonable, the flavors and experience didn’t quite meet my expectations.
Here are a few other ramen spots in the city that didn’t make the list. Why not? I found them unworthy for one reason or another.
For more Amsterdam restaurant recommendations, start here.
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