Ashoka - Kinkerstraat 🇮🇳 — Restaurant in Amsterdam

Super lekker!

Recommended to me by a neighbor who raved about this place. I have to admit that I don't really know what authentic "Indian and Nepalese" food is. Of course I have had some delicious "Indian" food over the years. But either way, Ashoka is very nice! I've lived about a block away for over a year and it's my first time there, (of course half of that time it was not available due to the government pandemic restrictions).

I ordered takeaway here late on a Sunday. but there were people inside, dining, having a great time. The staff was super-friendly and pleasant and even laughed at my stupid jokes.

The food was amazing. HUGE portions. The naan is perfect (I bought two orders which is more than enough for two / three people)...rice is nice and light. The egg fried rice was super lekker too! Plenty of chicken in the curry meal. Something else I noted was the super-thick aluminum foil they used for their takeaway packaging. That's a sign (to me) they invest in quality.

I ate too much because it was so delicious, so I worried I may have trouble sleeping with heartburn or worse, but I felt great. I think that's another sign of quality.

I can't wait to dine inside. It is a very nice interior. Not a dive or unclean. I will take friends and family here whenever it's safe for them to visit.

It may not appear to be the cheapest place, but don't let that distract you. It is near the center of Amsterdam in a very nice area, such high quality, clean with lots of space, it's worth it.

(By the way, the Kinkerstraat part of the name is the location, since there is another location in nearby...

It makes me sad to write this review because the food was really great. The service I received from start to finish was bizarre, I still haven’t been able to make sense of it. I was 1 of 2 tables when I entered. I was dining alone, and ordered a glass of wine and a glass of water. The server said she didn’t have her pen, so needed to come back with the pen to write down my drink order. I told her the wine’s name again, she asked me to show her in the menu, so maybe she was new. I ordered a large tasting platter, again, the food was wonderful. No water came, so I asked for it. During my entire meal, no one came to check on me, offer another glass of wine, or refill my water the entire meal. It was in the low 70s this evening, a gorgeous night, and the restaurant was so warm. I got up to go to the bathroom, thinking that would prompt her to check on me, but when she did not come over for another 10 minutes, I flagged her down. She still did not come to my table, even after walking past it continuously, for another 5-10 minutes, so I made eye contact and she exclaimed “mam I’m coming!” When she dropped the bill finally, she was extremely passive aggressive. I did not experience service like that throughout the rest of my European trip, and I have really been trying to figure out...

I recently visited Ashuka on Kinkerstraat in Amsterdam with my wife, and we were thoroughly impressed by the quality of the food and service. We ordered the Lamb Biryani, Butter Chicken, Naan, and a Shrimp Starter, and each dish exceeded our expectations.

The Lamb Biryani was incredibly flavorful, with tender pieces of lamb perfectly cooked and blended with fragrant rice. The spices were well-balanced, offering just the right amount of heat without overpowering the dish.

The Butter Chicken was rich and creamy, with the chicken cooked to perfection. The sauce had a beautiful, smooth texture, and paired wonderfully with the naan. Speaking of the Naan, it was freshly baked, soft on the inside, and slightly crisp on the outside, making it the perfect accompaniment to the main courses.

The Shrimp Starter was a delightful way to begin our meal. The shrimp were fresh, well-seasoned, and cooked just right, offering a burst of flavor with every bite.

The service was attentive and friendly, creating a warm and inviting atmosphere. Overall, we had a fantastic dining experience and would highly recommend Ashuka to anyone looking for authentic and delicious Indian cuisine...