OSAKAsan — Restaurant in Amsterdam

We had dinner here because one of our party of 4 had eaten great food here multiple times over the past decade. However, our dinner experience this time was so bad it was laughable. Firstly, the hygiene of the place is very questionable, with dirty dishes and the whole restaurant smelling like the dirty bathroom downstairs. We also waited more than an hour and a half for our food, which in itself isn't so bad, if we'd known that in advance (it doesn't say anything on the menu, and when we asked our server if our food was still coming she flippantly replied 'it takes 30 minutes to make'). When the food finally arrived it was disappointingly small, especially for the price, and I don't even want to call it a Japanese pancake as it was just a pile of mush overloaded with sauce (it also wasn't mentioned anywhere that there would be fish flakes on the veg ones). Our drinks also took more than 30 minutes to arrive (in a tiny restaurant with 5 tables). We first ordered warm sake, which arrived room temperature in sticky glasses (I'm not a sake connesseur, however this was almost undrinkable, and when we asked the waitress what sake is made from she laughed and said the other table had just asked her the same question and that she had no idea). The wine was also terrible, and we were first told that there was no red wine, and then that they had ran out of white wine but had somehow found more red. Ok, up until now not even a terrible enough experience to write a 1 star review (in my opinion). What really sent me over the edge is that the owner literally kicked out a table of two (remember they only have 5 tables - one of whom never received their food in the 2+ hours they were there), so they could open the door/wall to sell the cans of beer that were taking up half the restaurant to passersby (it was kings night, a national holiday the next day). We were also shooed out as they wanted to turn the place into a disco. In a city full of amazing restaurants and food, please give your money to someone who deserves it, in exchange for an actual pleasant...

It's believed that people were already enjoying pancakes during the Stone Age 30,000 years ago.

The number of pancake restaurants in Amsterdam has increased significantly during the last few years. Such is the popularity of this favourite dish, there's even a pancake cruise, taking in the sights while devouring the "goodies".

For something totally different, make a visit to Japanese Pancake World in the Jordaan, 5 minutes walk from Westertoren.

Japanese pancakes were first recorded in the 16th century and are very much considered a delicacy. Japanese pancakes are known as "Okonomiyaki" which translates as "Prepare as you wish". These are savoury pancakes which can be served with a multitude of fillings.

Cooking these to perfection is such that Chefs train for many years. The restaurant serves three different types of pancake: Osaka-style - the most popular, served with sauce and mayonnaise, Hiroshima-style and Negi-yaki (Scallion Pancake).

Hiroshima-style is served with various ingredients of choice, topped with fried noodles, a fried egg and a coating of fine seaweed flakes. Due to the heat of the pancakes, the flakes dance on the surface, giving the impression of constant movement.

Nogi-yaki is prepared with a generous portion of scallions mixed in the batter.

Meat and fish lovers are catered for, as well as vegetarians. Cooking time takes considerably longer than regular pancakes. Expect to wait about 20 minutes.

Recommended dessert is a trio of Japanese ice creams - green tea and black and white sesame, served with plum liquor fruits and the option of a Japanese style crêpe.

The restaurant is very small with only a few tables, so a reservation is a 'must'. Should definitely be on every foodie's Amsterdam...

Absolutely do not go to this restaurant. I was very excited to find a place that specialised in Okonomiyaki, as I loved it when I was in Japan and wanted to try it again. Firstly, the place STINKS. It's a disgusting smell from the toilet that fills the whole place, like old pee. I honestly don't know why we didn't walk out straight away, but we decided to give it a go. We order a coke and a calpis, both come flat and warm. Whatever. My husband orders karaage to start, while we both wait for our pancakes to cook. After a long time, a plate of something black and greasy gets placed in front of us. This is NOT karaage. We both take one bite and it's the worst thing I've ever put into my mouth. God knows when the oil was last changed. I'm ashamed to say that we fled the restaurant when the owner was in the stock room. Neither of us was willing to wait and see what our pancakes came out like in that stinky, filthy restaurant. Looking at reviews later, it seems this was a very good place until the new owner took over, so don't trust the seemingly high star reviews, as they were for years ago. Avoid...