On a budget: Café DS

No energy left to cook? We get it! But good food is a must, so never settle for less. That’s why we’ve put together our tips for truly delicious takeaways, the best delivery services and affordable places.

An old Amsterdam school where a Belgian chef makes Japanese ramen with the occasional South American twist. It takes place in the café section of De School.

A great deal has already been written about the club section and restaurant at De School, but please don’t forget the café. During the day, you can have breakfast there with an açaí bowl and lunch with grilled foccacia and salads. But where its real strength lies is the ramen bar, which is only open in the evenings.

Fatty meat and the perfect egg

Now, as a food snob, you can make a fuss about it not being traditional and all, but what chef Dia serves you is simply incredibly delicious. And that’s what it’s all about in the end. My favorite is the shio salt ramen with fatty pork, roasted tomatoes, bok choy, the perfect egg with a runny yolk and, of course, those elastic noodles.

Ideal for weeknights and for someone like me who can never make a choice.

If you’re in the mood for something spicy, choose the spicy chipotle (that’s where the South American twist comes in), and if you want vegetarian, go for the legume ramen with lots of meaty mushrooms. I still have to try the tsukeman, where everything is served cold. Every variety costs € 9.50, by the way.

And that’s almost where the menu ends; you can still order a few small sides such as edamame and marinated butter beans, but that’s it. Ideal for weeknights and for someone like me who can never make a choice. You simply come here for one thing, and that’s that steaming bowl of ramen.

Café DS
Dr. Jan van Breemenstraat 3 (back of the building)
Amsterdam
Monday 08.00 – 18:00
Tuesday through Friday 08.00 – 22.00
Saturday 09.00 – 23.00
Sunday 09.00 – 18.00

Image: Marieke Migchelbrink