Laurens — Review by Eating With Tod
Amsterdam, Netherlands — Multiple cuisines: Korean, Chinese, Dutch, Jewish
A tour through Amsterdam's most viral food spots featuring Korean sandwiches, apple pie, dumplings, stroopwaffels, pastrami sandwiches, and specialty fries. Most items lived up to the hype with standout dishes including beef bulgogi sandwiches and a duck wrap, though the viral croissant cookie fell short of expectations.
What was great: Korean style sandwiches with sweet buttery brioche bread, beef bulgogi with caramelized onions and umami flavor, apple pie from Winkel with crunchy biscoff exterior and perfectly poached apples, hoisin duck wrap from Dumplings, stroopwafel with white chocolate from Van Wonderen, pastrami sandwich on marbled rye from De Vier Cafe, parmesan cheese and truffle mayo fries from Fabel Friet, white chocolate filled cookies from Van Stapele
What could improve: Viral croissant cookie tasted slightly burnt and hot chocolate was just made with chocolate milk
The Dishes
This Amsterdam food adventure showcased a remarkable variety of viral foods. The Korean style sandwiches from one establishment featured sweet buttery brioche bread that was described as 'to die for,' with the beef bulgogi proving to be a clear winner over the bacon, egg, and cheese option. The sweet umami taste of the beef combined with caramelized onions and that perfectly sweet bread created a memorable experience.
Winkel's apple pie delivered on its reputation with a crunchy biscoff biscuit exterior and warm, perfectly poached apples inside. From Dumplings, a hidden gem Chinese cafe located on a river, the hoisin duck wrap was particularly memorable, described as sending taste buds on holiday. Van Wonderen's stroopwafel featured a slight crunch on the outside, and the addition of white chocolate elevated it to a new dimension.
The pastrami sandwich from De Vier Cafe on marbled rye bread was declared the best sandwich of the entire trip, so good that it could have been eaten for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Fabel Friet's Dutch fries with parmesan cheese and truffle mayo received high praise, with the sauce being so good that one wanted to bathe in it. Finally, Van Stapele's famous daily cookie, filled with a white chocolate ball, provided the perfect sweet ending.
The Experience
The experience captured the essence of chasing viral food trends in Amsterdam, complete with an hour and a half wait for the initial Korean sandwiches. The adventure included visits to various small establishments and hidden gems scattered throughout the city, creating an authentic street food exploration.
Value and Pricing
No specific prices were mentioned in the review, though the variety of establishments visited suggested a range of price points typical of Amsterdam's food scene.
Notable Moments
I could have had one for breakfast, lunch, and dinner and still left a happy man.
I just want to bathe in that sauce.
The Verdict
This Amsterdam viral food tour successfully demonstrated that most hyped items lived up to expectations, with the Korean sandwiches, apple pie, duck wrap, and fries being particularly worthy of their viral status. The only disappointment was the viral croissant cookie, which tasted slightly burnt. This journey is perfect for food enthusiasts looking to experience Amsterdam's most talked-about culinary offerings.