ISHII Japanese Restaurant - Amsterdam, The Netherlands

 A ramen place in Amsterdam that reminded me of Tempe, Arizona . . . 

Let's jump to Amsterdam.  As we wandered around the old town area and canals, I saw a number of ramen places, and started to get my heart set on it.  I found this old school appearing place a tram ride south of the Suid area of our hotel, and it lived up to that old school vibe

"Okonomi-yaki & Japanese home cooking

ISHII is an izakaya (Japanese style bar restaurant) located in Amstelveen.

With the cozy "at home" atmosphere,the restaurant offers various types of home dishes from Japan,including not only Okonomi-yaki but also ramen and many others.

Once you enter the restaurant, you are in Japan!"

The above is from ISHII's website, and it's a fairly perfect description of the place.  I've never been to Japan, but ISHII felt like someplace outside of Tokyo, in the suburbs or off in a smaller town

Place was chill.  Looked like some students, a couple parents with a highchair'd kiddo, noshing away.  Unfussy seating, benches with old cushions, backpacks.  The walls were lined with manga . . . 

How was the food?  From what I had, it fit the vibe.  Relaxed, unpretencious.  This isn't some Stunt Ramen place 

Cute

Necessary close-up

I started with their Tori Karaage, and loved it.  Excellent.  Crunchy batter with juicy chicken inside, some cabbage, lemon wedge.  Done.  Simple, but perfection.  I wish my one brother who ordered chicken nuggets at Frittenwerk in Berlin had been here to try these

Their Hakata Katsu Ramen reminded me of the little Japanese Fujiya Market a couple blocks from where I lived in Tempe AZ, that only did about twenty bowls on Saturday mornings of a deep rich milky pork Tonkotsu broth.  Not overly adorned.  Done.  

I did order a marinated boiled egg that never showed up, but oh well.  The server kid was a bit green it seemed, and I let him know it happens and it was ok.  No biggie

Between the karaage and the ramen, I saw a table sign for the Ishii Junmai Sake (brewed in Nara, Japan and imported by Ishii), and figured do this right 

I wouldn't call ISHII a must go/destination per se, but it was a nice change of pace.  A lovely way to wander to a different part of the city, and feel far away and yet at home

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ISHII Japanese Restaurant - Kostverlorenhof58, 1183HG, Amsterdam, The Netherlands

+31-(0)20-3343070

IG #ishii.okonomiyaki 

www.ishii-japaneserestaurant.com