Soupenzo - Van Baerle — Restaurant in Amsterdam

As I entered the unassuming little shop, the aroma of fresh herbs and spices wafted up my nose. It was a small place, almost claustrophobic, with jars of pickled vegetables lining the shelves and a single wooden table in the center.

I approached the counter, where a thin, bespectacled man with a neatly trimmed beard greeted me with a faint smile. He wore a stained apron and a weary expression that hinted at long hours and sleepless nights.

"What can I get for you?" he asked, his voice a low murmur that barely rose above a whisper.

I hesitated for a moment, scanning the menu board behind him. There were soups and salads of all kinds, each with its own tantalizing description. I finally settled on a hearty vegetable soup, with chunks of tender potatoes and carrots floating in a rich broth.

The man nodded and disappeared into the back room. I could hear the clatter of pots and pans, the sizzle of frying vegetables. A few minutes later, he emerged with a steaming bowl of soup, garnished with a sprig of fresh parsley.

As I took my first sip, a chill ran down my spine. It was delicious, yes, but there was something ominous about it, as if the soup itself held a dark secret. I couldn't help but wonder what ingredients had gone into it, what arcane knowledge had been employed to make it so bewitching.

I finished my meal in silence, lost in thought. The man behind the counter watched me with a curious expression, as if he knew what was going through my mind. As I paid for my meal and left the shop, I couldn't shake the feeling that I had just tasted something forbidden, something that should not exist in this world.

I don't know if I will ever return to that little shop, with its eerie atmosphere and its unsettlingly delicious soups and salads. But I will always remember the experience, as a glimpse into a hidden world of mystery and intrigue, where even the humblest of meals can hold secrets...

My first time there. I go inside and look at the menu (on the wall). The lady comes to me and I tell her "give me a min " but she is just standing and staring at me making me unforttobable . So I ask a questions and she is answering it very reluctently and then I order xl chicken soup for take out. She quickly pour soup inside the container and give it to me and charge me 16.75 euro and leaves (back to kitchen). I call her and say "oh btw are these shredded vegetable etc optional that you did not offer me" she quickly gives me a little of it without asking "do you want any other thing" leaves again. I leave and get home and realize the xl container is hardly enough for 1 person but they had adverized it "for 2-3 people". The bottom of container is hollow (2 cm) and the top is not filled (3 cm) while the container itself is very small . My child says we had similar soup two days ago in another place exactly half price. It came with lots of optional ingredients and bread and apple ... And even the soup was 1.5 times more and more delicious ... What the hell... What a disgusting experience ... From the staff that hated her job to most expensive soup of my life to getting diareia after having soup ... What a disgusting experience .... beware like a plaque ... Don't get into trap of fake reviews... Read...

When traveling, managing one's diet can be challenging especially if reliant on restaurant meals. So finding Soup En Zo provided an opportunity for a refreshing reset. There is soup, yes, but there is also this very appealing salad bar composed of multiple mini dishes of interestingly prepared vegetables like sautéed aubergine, or a marinated raw fennel salad. It is easy to put together a "gourmet" combination of simple dishes and also easy if vegetarian or vegan is the style. Plenty of options. We were appreciative of having this option at the end of a 3 week visit to Europe! (Also there is a good coffee/espresso...