Pop-up: Amsterdam Arepa’s

We’ve been fans of arepas in the editorial office for years: Venezuelan sandwiches filled with meat, beans or whatever you like. Yet they’re still nowhere near as popular in the Netherlands as they are in, say, London or New York. Hopefully, this pop-up in Amsterdam will soon change that.

Who? Fernando Paez (former chef at, among others, Guts & Glory and Bar Central) and Ignacio Font Kuhn (Hilton Amsterdam & an arepa restaurant in Portugal)
Where? Amsterdam (De Pijp)
When? November 2018 through February 2019

What’s new?

Arepas, of course. The sandwiches are made from cornmeal and baked on a large griddle or in a pan. This makes the outside wonderfully crispy and greasy, while the inside is soft and fluffy. If you ask me, one of the best hangover cures you can think of, but delicious at any time of day, really.

https://www.instagram.com/p/Bo6Rph2CAKP/

On the menu?

What’s inside those divine sandwiches? Our favorite is the one with pork, but there’s also a vegetarian option on the menu. You can choose from chochino frito (Venezuelan pulled pork), pelua (pulled beef with farmhouse cheese), black beans with fresh white cheese, and chicken with avocado.

What stands out?

The pop-up has just opened and will remain at this location for four months. Fortunately, the gentlemen are already looking for a new location, so hopefully we can keep eating arepas forever.

Amsterdam Arepa’s
Eerste Sweelinckstraat 20
Amsterdam