6 Best Affordable Chinese Restaurants in Amsterdam
When a sudden craving for chicken chow mein or sweet n’ sour prawns kicks in, you can’t ignore it wherever you are in the world. When on the hunt for the best cheap chinese restaurants in Amsterdam, you’re spoilt for choice on where to get your spicy noodles or hot dumplings. Amsterdammers love their Chinese food so it’s unsurprising that there are some really great affordable options in the multicultural city. If you happen to be in town for Chinese New Year on the 25th January, then this is the article for you. From floating chinese restaurants, the best takeaways, dim sum, Cantonese cuisine and vegetarian dishes, we’ve rounded up our favourite chinese restaurants in the city that won’t break the bank…
Need a hostel in Amsterdam? Check out the Flying Pigs
Tasty Asia
This hidden gem near Rembrandt Square is a favourite amongst locals in Amsterdam mostly loved for its reasonable prices and delicious dishes. Tasty Asia is a popular Asian-fusion restaurant in the city centre which may not look like anything special on the outside, but once you sit down for a meal here, you’ll keep wanting to come back for more spicy goodness. The menu here offers a mix of everything from steaming gyoza, noodle dishes, wonton soups, stir-fries, curries and beef, shrimp or chicken specials. Simple, affordable and tasty food. What more can you want? This is one of the best value Chinese restaurants in the city, perfect for those on a budget. The owners even offer a takeaway service if you want to take your Chinese food to go. Many locals sit and work from here while they eat as there’s Free-Wifi (and great coffee too).
Sea Palace
Sea Palace is a three-storey floating restaurant on the Lake IJ serving up authentic Cantonese food that will fill your tummy and your heart with joy. Majestic and unique on the inside and out, this is one Chinese experience you won’t find anywhere else in Amsterdam (and the prices here are also reasonable). The menu is everything you’d expect from a proper Chinese restaurant, except it also serves dim sum every day until 4pm, where you can choose from a massive menu filled with delicious options such as steamed buns, deep fried prawn balls, dumplings, pork knuckle, Chinese pastries and more. While this restaurant may seem like a novelty (since it floats and all), it’s definitely one we recommend to do at least once.
New King
This gem in Amsterdam’s ChinaTown is one of our favourite Chinese restaurant in the city. In fact, it’s the go-to for our team based in the ‘Dam whenever they need good Chinese food. New King specialises in affordable Mandarian cuisine that’s packed with a punch. We recommend ordering the sweet and sour chicken, spicy beef or fried rice with prawns. The saucy Peking duck is also a showstopper! If you’re after dumplings then you have to order the homemade Sui Kauw - you won’t regret it. While the website may not seem the most aesthetically pleasing, trust us, New King is a winner! Plus, you get to experience the hustle and bustle of ChinaTown while you’re at it.
Yu Family Kitchen
Yu Family Kitchen is perfect for a quick in-and-out Chinese meal in Amsterdam and as you can guess from the name, it’s a family run business. This is a laid-back, casual cafe near Damrak serving up tasty Chinese food for cheap. You can order homemade Chinese corn soup for just €2.75 - a dream for any backpacker looking for a cheap meal in the city. The food is cooked fresh every day and the Chinese flavours are amazing whether you order noodles, shrimp in black bean or a quick wok box to go. This place is even a five time winner of the Tripadvisor Certificate of Excellence - which means the customers love Yuu Family Kitchen just as much as we do!
Nam Kee
Another awesome cheap Chinese joint in Amsterdam’s Chinatown. Nam Kee is a casual restaurant serving authentic Cantonese food where you will get really big portions for affordable prices. The food here is simply delicious; our favourites being the singapore noodles, dried squid, chicken with cashew nuts and dry fried beef. On the outside, Nam Kee looks cosy and inviting, typical of the Chinese cafes around Chinatown and it’s quite spacious inside to satisfy plenty of hungry customers. You can’t go wrong if you’re looking for traditional Cantonese food in Amsterdam.
Dragon City
When you’re in the Red Light District and get the munchies after hitting the coffeeshops, we have a place for you. Dragon City in De Wallen has you covered for tasty Chinese food to fill your belly and satisfy your hunger. Located on the Damstraat, Dragon City is a relaxed sit-in restaurant with a traditional Chinese menu and modern interior that’s both cosy and contemporary. Perfect for a quick lunch stop, order the black pepper beef with noodles or the peking duck!
Need a hostel in Amsterdam? Check out Flying Pig
Article by Shereen Sagoo
