Nam Kee — Restaurant in Amsterdam

Queues can be misleading. So can reviews. And yes, so can the fact that it’s run by actual Chinese people. You’d think you’re about to experience the culinary equivalent of a first-class ticket to Hong Kong. Spoiler: not quite.

When I visited, the place was packed. There was a queue snaking outside, which usually signals “worth the wait.” Inside? Let’s just say “cozy” is putting it politely. Tables are an elbow’s length apart — the kind of setup where you could accidentally season your neighbour’s soup just by sneezing. The entire atmosphere practically screams: eat fast, pay fast, get out.

I ordered the Yeung Chow Fried Rice, expecting a comforting classic. What I got was a plate of dry, uninspired grains that tasted like they’d been emotionally neglected. The BBQ pork carried a strange smell, which is never the sort of complexity you want in your protein. As someone who’s spent three decades abroad cooking this dish to perfection for myself and friends (and I’m no pro chef), this was a deep disappointment — especially from a place claiming authentic Chinese fare.

Thankfully, redemption came in the form of the Sui Kao Soup (Prawn Dumplings). Generous filling, fresh springy prawns, and a savoury broth that whispered, “I’ve got you.” If the fried rice was the villain of this story, the Sui Kao was the unexpected hero.

Portions here are massive. For those of us used to Asian serving sizes, this is borderline shocking — my order could easily feed three people. Service is exactly what you’d expect from an old-school Chinese restaurant: no frills, no chit-chat, just efficiency. They serve, you eat, you pay, you leave. Respectable in its own way.

Prices? Slightly steep, but given the location’s tourist density, it’s almost a tax you pay for existing in this postcode.

Would I come back? Maybe — but only for the Sui Kao. And perhaps to people-watch the queue of unsuspecting...

I recently visited this restaurant with high hopes, especially for their Peking Duck and pancakes, but unfortunately, my experience left a lot to be desired. One of the major highlights of any visit to a Chinese restaurant is a perfectly prepared Peking Duck, but here, it fell incredibly short. I was served three pancakes that were not just lukewarm but downright cold, as though they had just come out of the fridge. This was disappointing enough, but the duck itself was also very cold, robbing the dish of the warmth and savoriness you expect from freshly prepared meat. It felt as if the entire plate had been prepped and left sitting for too long before being brought to the table.

The disappointment didn’t end there. I ordered fried dumplings, hoping they might redeem the meal, but once again, the dumplings were cold and far from appetizing. It’s hard to enjoy a dish when it’s served in such a state, especially when it’s clear that it hasn’t been freshly made or heated properly. Even the iced tea, while passable, wasn’t enough to lift the overall mood of the meal.

Another major concern was the hygiene. At one point during the meal, I noticed an older man, who seemed responsible for handling the duck, go to the restroom with his gloves on. Shockingly, when he returned, he came back wearing the same gloves and resumed working. This alone is enough for me to question the cleanliness and safety standards of the restaurant. It’s an unsettling sight that made me think twice about continuing the meal.

With cold dishes and questionable hygiene practices, this is not a place I would consider visiting again. For the price and reputation of Peking Duck, this was a letdown, and I can’t recommend this...

I came here on a recommendation from my canal cruise boat captain. I hadn't actually planned to eat Chinese food on this trip but it sounded good at the moment. I also went with some other people from the cruise so it was a good way for me to socialize a bit. LOL!

We had to wait for a table, as there were 5 of us, but we were seated within 20 min. The menu is extensive. I actually hate when menus are this large. It makes me feel like the quality of the food will be really low. It was also harder for me to read the menu as everything was spelled differently than I'm used to. It's actually quite funny because I've been to all sorts of different kinds of Chinese places and I've never seen the spellings that I saw at this one. Luckily enough for me it was close enough.

The food came quickly and I was pleasantly surprised. Good flavor and texture. It made me think of my childhood, which means a lot to me. Standard Chinese comfort food will always have a place in my heart.

The service was spotty but I don't expect more from ladies who are well into their late 60's/early 70's. This adds to the charm of the place I...