Amazing vegan restaurant! Found this place on happy cow on my last full day in Amsterdam and was able to secure a super last minute reservation at the big shared table for 8pm. I was unsure how the table setting might affect my experience eating out alone, but fortunately the seat right in front of me was empty. There are very limited 2 person tables available, so be sure to reserve in advance if you are concerned about the seating arrangement.
Overall I absolutely loved my dinner here. It felt very luxurious, with beautiful plating and creative dishes, but for a comparatively affordable price of 49€ for the 6 course menu. The only thing you choose is the ramen flavor ( I had the black garlic one) the rest is fixed. I especially enjoyed the sushi trio, the ponzu mushrooms, and the warm seasonal bites. Since I am not a fan of okra the soup wasn’t really my thing. I wish there would have been a ‘buffer’ dish between the warm bites and the ramen, as the fried tempura, croquette and takoyaki are already quite heavy, which made it difficult to enjoy the saucy and equally heavy ramen. Even a small bite of pickled veggies or just something to freshen the palate would have been great.
Speaking of the ramen, I was surprised to see that all the ramen is saucy ramen rather than soupy, and while there is the option to upgrade to soupy ramen, this is only possible for the (in my opinion overpriced) amount of 4.50€. That option is also only available for the truffle flavor. Seeing as ramen served in broth are most common in Japan, and considering that such a heavy dish is number 5 in this course order, I hope that the restaurant might consider serving more broth ramen in the future. I ended up only having small bites of the noodles and instead eating all the leafy greens and bits of vegetables I could find to try and cleanse my palate and get rid of the heavy feeling. The portion was also quite big, but I will note that the kind waitress offered to give me a to go box which I had to decline because of my morning flight. The dessert was okay, it was good but I feel like they could be a bit more creative with it. I got the umeshuu (plum sake) for 10€ which I felt went well with my meal.
The service was good, both servers were nice, attentive but not pushy. If you wish to have a bit of a slower paced meal I would inform them at the very start of the dinner because they are quite well paced and your next dish will appear in no time after you’ve finished the previous one. The chef was Japanese and after chatting to him in Japanese as I was about to leave I learned that he’s not all that comfortable in English yet, so don’t be surprised if he doesn’t do much of the serving/interacting with guests.
Overall a very pleasant, luxurious experience for a fair price! If I’m ever in Amsterdam again I will definitely be back and...
Read moreLet me preface with this - I reaaaally try to stay away from hyperbole when writing reviews. It's important to paint an accurate picture so that any epicurious netizen that stumbles upon my words gets the proper guidance they want in making the right meal choice. With check averages for a nice night out easily swelling into the hundreds, you don't want to get puffed up with false hope and unjustified hype just to feel burned when you get the check.
Now that we've set the table with a little context, I'll jump right to it. Men Impossible is one of the greatest Japanese food experiences I've ever had. As a fierce meat eater, the fact that everything was vegan had absolutely zero impact on how I enjoyed the meal. Did I miss the traditional seasoned egg with jammy egg yolk that usually sends me squealing like a stuck pig? Not even a smidge, which is utterly shocking for me.
Everything about the meal was done to perfection. The welcome tea to prepare the palate, the succulent appetizer bites, the stunning tsukemen and sauced ramens - all fantastic. And while everything we ate was a hit, the noodles were unsurprisingly the highlight. The black garlic tsukemen was so incredibly savory and rich with great depths of flavor. Again, there was no handicap from the lack of animal being used - umami overfloweth here.
With a 5 course tasting menu running around $50 each, I can say with zero doubt that Men Impossible has to top the city of Amsterdam (hell, let's say the world for that matter) when it comes to value for your money. Further, you can just tell they put their hearts and souls into their work here and that's just the kind of food love we need to support in this world.
I am so glad we stumbled upon you, Men Impossible. While we won't be able to pop in for another visit until our next European jaunt, the delicious meal you made us will never be far...
Read moreJust had an incredible dinner at Men Impossible, and I'm still smiling from the experience! This place is a hidden gem for anyone who loves plant-based cuisine or just great food in general.
The vibe here is so cozy and welcoming. It's like you're stepping into a little oasis in the city. The decor is simple but warm, making you feel right at home. It's perfect for a chill dinner with friends or even a special date night.
Now, let's talk food because, wow, it's amazing! The menu is strictly plant-based, but trust me, you won't miss the meat at all. The Cold Starter with Pickled Cucumber and Carrot Cashew Nut Mousse was so fresh and tasty, and the Sesame Tofu was out of this world. For the Warm Starters, the Eggplant Tempura and Zucchini Tempura were my favorites - crispy on the outside, tender on the inside. But also the Seitan Katsu and the Vegan Shrimp 🦐 ! are really good.
The main event was the Sauce Ramen "AMAZE Men." Each flavor option brings something special to the table. I tried the Black Burnt Garlic and the white garlic, and both were mind-blowingly good. The noodles were just perfect, and the broths were rich and full of flavor.
The creme brulee matcha was an amazing dessert. Tea and water go's with each of the four courses, if you like you can try their Japanese craft beers and sake. (Alcohol disclaimer). Friends told me they pair perfectly with the meal.
The staff deserves a shoutout too. They were so friendly and helpful, explaining and making sure we had everything we needed.
Overall, dining at Men Impossible was an unforgettable experience. It's a must-visit in Amsterdam for anyone who appreciates delicious, creative, plant-based food. I'm already planning...
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