Toko Ramee — Local services in Amsterdam

Opposite to the entrance of Albert Cuyp Market, Toko Ramee has been in existence for more than half a century. This family run business specialises in Asian food products, in particular produce from Indonesia, a former Dutch colony.

Indonesia consists of some 6,000 populated islands. Its cuisine is very varied according to region. As a major trading archipelago, the country's cuisine has many influences, predominately Chinese, Indian, Malaysian and Middle Eastern. Toko Ramee is the ideal place to search for all the ingredients.

For those who like it hot and spicy, the toko has an impressive variety of sambal chilli sauces and pastes. A word of caution: What the average Dutchman considers spicy has a rating of between 500 and 1,000 on the Scoville scale; Many sambals have a considerably higher rating.

The store has a selection of rice cookers and other kitchen utensils. The star attraction is the huge variety of freshly prepared homemade Indonesian takeaway dishes. The Nasi Ramas (a mini rijstaffel) and the GadoGado - mixed vegetables covered with peanut sauce are highly recommended. A good place for 'foodies' to discover new and exciting dishes. Super friendly staff on hand to...

As an Asian grocery store it seems quaint, interesting and focused largely on Indonesian food offerings though I didn’t study their stock that carefully. I was there for lunch. Theirs is cafeteria style and they had a reasonably good selection, cafeteria style, of dishes to choose from, all of which can be purchased individually “to go”. Our lunch was the Ramee special lunch: white rice with a variety of Indonesian specialties, including tempeh and a couple of vegetable curries, curry spices deep fried, boiled egg, fried tofu and a choice of meats. Literally everything was delicious. €11.50. Portions were generous as you can see in the photo.

The owner is a delightful Chinese woman who has owned the sixty year old establishment for 35+ years. The cook is an equally nice...

So lucky to have found this toko-like eatery when looking for something to eat for lunch, after tiring ourselves on a sunny Saturday morning visiting the Albert Cuypstraat open markt, early April 2024. Each of us had nasi rames along with all its condiments which all tasted good as if prepared with real Indonesian spices. The lively open markt ambience, echoed to the streets in front, added to the recharging effects we got from the...