Nanbu

Asian fusion is the order of the day at the small but delightful Nanbu, situated on the Europaboulevard opposite the RAI. Handcrafted sushi, Oriental dishes, and a selection of complementary sakes and wines. Owners Ho Lam and Morning Lam-Chen run a tight ship, and guests appreciate the high quality and warm hospitality, which is why the place is always packed. The restaurant features an elegant interior and pleasant acoustics. The menu boasts an abundant selection of options, including sashimi, sushi specials, inside-out rolls, salads, small bites, grilled dishes, tempura, teppanyaki, and side dishes. There are also chef’s recommendations, and if you’re completely undecided, you can opt for the Nanbu Experience Menu. The creamy Dragon Roll is absolutely delicious, stuffed with fried prawns and finished with avocado. Just as tasty is the salmon and tuna sashimi, served generously and beautifully, and incredibly fresh. The wagyu cooked on the teppan is melt-in-your-mouth tender, just like the lamb chops served with teriyaki sauce and sesame seeds. A tip of the hat to the staff, who maintain their composure despite the heavy crowds and remain friendly and attentive from start to finish. You do pay a pretty hefty bill for all of this, but then again, you are dining in chic South Amsterdam.

Situated in upscale Amsterdam-Zuid, directly opposite the RAI, Nanbu, run by Ho Lam and Morning Lam-Chen, has become a well-known fixture on the Europaboulevard. Ho and Morning Lam are the proud owners of this lovely Asian restaurant and are always on hand to ensure their guests have an exceptional experience. The menu offers plenty of choices, yet certain specials remain absolute must-orders, such as the crispy nigiri: a deep-fried rice ball rolled in sesame seeds, topped with hand-cut tuna or salmon tartare. It’s a winning combination thanks to the crunchy exterior surrounding the warm rice and the chilled, freshly cut tartare. The fruity Spanish Verdejo from Ramón Bilbao pairs beautifully with it. The grilled gyoza and melt-in-your-mouth yakitori skewers are equally irresistible. Next up is the creamy dragon roll, featuring pan-fried panko prawns, avocado, and a spicy sauce wrapped in slightly warm rice, which proves just as impressive. Those who didn’t make a reservation, however, are left empty-handed. The place is simply packed to the brim. The classic Château Peyrelongue Grand Cru from Saint-Émilion serves as a robust pairing for the tender pepper-crusted beef tenderloin, served alongside nasi. Kudos to the staff, who navigate swiftly and deftly between the closely spaced tables while keeping a close eye on everything. Make sure to save room for dessert. We indulge in homemade cheesecake and vanilla ice cream accompanied by sesame brittle and warm caramel sauce. A restaurant you will always want to return to.

This charming and small restaurant by Hochi Lam and Morning Lam Cheng is located in Amsterdam-Zuid, directly across from the RAI. Japanese cuisine reigns supreme here, with forays into Chinese and Korean flavors. It attracts many local diners, and tourists easily find their way here as well. The menu offers plenty of choice from sashimi, sushi, salads, small bites, teppanyaki, tempura, and small dishes. We receive the welcoming advice from Van Ho not to order too much at once and to decide midway whether we want to order more. We start with a clay jug of warm Sho Chiku Bai Junmai sake and the now famous oyster shot—a small oyster with ponzu sauce, Japanese fish roe, and a raw quail egg served in a small glass that you let slide down in one gulp. A heavenly experience. We indulge in crispy lettuce rolls filled with spiced chicken and finely chopped vegetables, alongside tempura made from cucumber maki, avocado mousse, and panko-fried shrimp. Everything so fresh and refined. The monkfish red curry, or monkfish tail with spicy red curry and coconut cream, is also divine. The Usuyaki ribeye slices filled with garlic chips and scallions, cooked on the teppan grill, are flawlessly prepared. We finish off with white sesame ice cream and coffee-caramel sauce. The service is extremely friendly. And also very nice: there is now a wider selection of wines by the glass. Tip: book in advance because, as you can imagine, it is always fully booked here.

A charming, not-too-large restaurant in chic Amsterdam Zuid. Hochi and Morning Lam-Chen have been steering the Japanese cuisine here for just over five years, with occasional excursions into Chinese and Korean flavors. The menu offers a wide selection of sushi alongside sashimi and house specialties. The wine list features a notable number of wines from Salentein, El Portillo, and Bernardus by the Pon family, while the selection by the glass remains limited. Host Hochi recommends excellent culinary pairings and fosters a relaxed atmosphere. Famous is the crispy nigiri: a fried rice ball rolled in sesame seeds, topped with freshly prepared tuna or salmon tartare. The fruity Verdejo from Ramon Bilbao pairs beautifully. The spiced gyoza and yakitori skewers are so delicious you will want to lick your fingers clean. For the second course, Hochi serves the creamy dragon roll with prawn, avocado, and a spicy sauce served over lukewarm rice. Sushi at its absolute finest. The favorite is the kimchi-chicken: crispy fried chicken with a spicy sauce and fresh lettuce leaves. The portions are generous, and we are practically stuffed. Still, we cannot resist the creamy homemade cheesecake with white chocolate, followed by coffee and delicate pastries. We have no regrets about it. A wonderful restaurant with lovely service.

In this atmospheric and accessible little restaurant on Europaplein, directly opposite the Rai Congress Centre, Hochi and Morning Lam are the proud owners of Nanbu. We receive Ho’s advice not to order too much at once and instead decide midway through the meal whether we want more. We find this a thoughtful suggestion, which perfectly captures how welcoming the place is. After a refreshing Sapporo beer, a variety of refined dishes make their way to our table. These include an inside-out roll with fried shrimp and lukewarm rice, crispy tuna nigiri consisting of a sesame-coated fried rice ball topped with a delicious tuna tartare, and crispy duck wrapped in crunchy lettuce with hoisin sauce. No wonder many locals frequent this spot with great regularity. Naturally, an aromatic miso soup is a must and it is served with salted soybeans. We take a brief pause but still want to sample the grilled salmon with garlic sauce, fried skin, and spring onions, as well as the tender beef tataki in ponzu sauce with onion and garlic. Paired with the latter is the Salentein Malbec by the glass. It would be nice if there were a slightly wider selection of wines by the glass, but that is truly the only minor point. A lovely spot!

Say Nanbu, and you taste sushi. But it's not just that. In this charming little establishment run by Chinese Hochi Lam and Morning Lam-Chen, Asian cuisine reigns supreme. You'll find Nanbu at Europaplein, right where the North/South metro line runs underneath. Many local regulars frequent the place, but (foreign) tourists also easily find their way here. The menu offers plenty of choice from sashimi, salads, small bites, grilled dishes, tempura, teppanyaki, and yes, the unmatched sushi in all shapes and sizes. Plus, there are side dishes and desserts – and we might as well add: the white sesame jam is heavenly. Hochi Lam: “Of course, we haven't been idle. During the lockdown, among other things, we came up with new dishes and sushi varieties. We always had takeaway options, but in May we also started delivering meals. I literally picked delivery couriers (cyclists) off the street to ride for us during the lockdown. Previously, we didn't have any delivery drivers, and it wasn't easy to find them quickly.” There are two shifts here, at 5:30 PM or 8:00 PM. And in nice weather, you can sit on the large terrace. I recommend drinking one of the Asian teas with your meal instead of wine. The tea is poured into beautiful porcelain cups, which naturally makes you hold your pinky up. The service is extremely friendly, and so is the bill.

This restaurant, owned by the originally Chinese Ho and Morning, is located in Amsterdam-Zuid. Nanbu specializes in Asian cuisine. The menu offers a wide selection of sashimi, sushi, inside-out rolls, salads, appetizers, grilled dishes, tempura, teppanyaki, side dishes, and desserts. When the weather is nice, you can enjoy a seat on the spacious terrace. The crispy tuna nigiri is top-notch. The dish consists of tuna tartare with crispy rice, sesame seeds, and spring onions. The crispy layer delivers a heavenly taste experience. The tempura is somewhat disappointing; it could be crispier, and the coating even flakes off the vegetables in places. Next comes a fragrant and aromatic miso soup with tofu and seaweed, served with soybeans that you shell yourself. The following dish, spicy gambas, features large prawns with julienned vegetables and a sweet-and-sour sauce. Delicious, but not particularly spicy. The chicken skewers with teriyaki sauce cooked on the iron griddle are flawlessly prepared. We finish with mixed fresh fruit of the highest quality. It is highly recommended to drink one of the Asian teas, served in porcelain cups, alongside your meal instead of wine. The service is extremely friendly, though a bit more advice on both food and drink choices would be appreciated.

Creative, top-tier sushi is the star of the atmospheric restaurant run by Morning Chen and Ho Chi Lam, which features elegant black accents. The menu is extensive, making it difficult to choose. We enjoy the hot tuna roll (fresh tuna, spicy kimchi sauce, and fried vermicelli) and the California roll, based on the traditional California handroll. Next, we order a sushi and sashimi assortment, only to sadly see the hot tuna and California rolls appear on our plates once again. The duck with plums wrapped in an omelet is so crispy and sweet that we spontaneously order another portion. The tempura falls slightly short; while the batter is crispy, the portion is quite skimpy. The Black Angus beef with truffle, however, is served generously and cooked to a beautiful medium-rare, paired with a delicious, light truffle sauce. For dessert, we have the chocolate soufflé. To our dismay, the whipped cream comes straight from a spray can. That simply isn't acceptable at this level. Because the restaurant has a takeaway section, the dining area feels slightly hectic, but we would gladly return.