New ramen hotspot on Leidseplein
The streets around Leidseplein are not known for their most high-end restaurants, but every now and then a true gem suddenly appears among them. The recently opened JŪKU Ramen is the perfect example.
The restaurant opened quietly a few weeks ago, giving chef Haruki Harada time to get settled and optimise the dishes. The menu includes, among other things, a tonkotsu ramen based on 100 per cent pork and pork bones. Owners Laurie Janssens and Frederic de Milliano also felt it was important to think of Amsterdammers who are very health-conscious, so the menu also features a completely vegan ramen.
Not so vegan
The vegan broth is made with miso and sunflower-seed butter, giving it a rich umami flavour. Laurie tells us that even many non-vegans go for the vegan broth. “We also have the Not So Vegan on the menu. You get the vegan broth, but with some pork and egg on top.”
Everything is homemade, including their spicy soy mince. This vegan topping resembles meat, but is entirely soy-based. “What exactly goes into it is a secret, but it has a truly unique flavour that you really have to come and taste,” says Laurie. You can also choose from nori, shiitake, black garlic oil and kikurage (thinly sliced Japanese mushroom).
On the side
“Now that the ramen has been perfected, it’s time to start working on the side dishes. What’s on the menu will vary a lot. We want to work as sustainably as possible. For example, we’re experimenting with the parts of the pig that we don’t need for the broth. Perhaps we can incorporate them into the side dishes in a good way. We’re also looking at which products are readily available fresh.”
The grand opening is scheduled for early February, if all goes according to plan, but you can already stop by for a bowl of noodle soup. At the moment, the restaurant is open from Wednesday through Sunday, but soon it will only be closed on Mondays. By then, they will also be open for lunch on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays.
JŪKU Ramen
Leidsekruisstraat 19H
Amsterdam
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