Thais Afhaalrestaurant Dong Son | Rozengracht — Restaurant in Amsterdam

This is not your typical Thai restaurant. It has a tight and focused menu that allows the chef to focus on the quality of the dishes they offer. You won't find the usual curries and stir fry dishes besides a phad thai and a fried rice dish but I implore you to try anything other than these as the rest of the dishes are unique specialties or slight variations of typical dishes. For example, they do pad krapow but it is done with fried pork belly (moo krob) as the protein. I've had this and it was very tasty. Besides this, I've had the khao soi noodles and I can definitively say that this is the best khao soi in the city that I know of. I've tried the ones at Thai Thai Poppetje and Silom Thai Brasserie, which are the only two places that I'm aware of that have this as a regular menu item. Phu Thai had it as a weekly special. The khao soi here is far better than any of those and it's not even close. I will note that it is served with bone-in chicken, which I personally prefer, but I know Westerners tend to prefer boneless chicken but I will say the meat falls right off the bone and is both tender and incredibly juicy in the khao soi. I'm very much looking forward to trying the various other offerings here.

To me, this restaurant feels like a real passion project. Their original location is a takeaway-only spot with a more conventional menu so you know that what they are doing here with the distinct menu is something special. Currently there is very limited seating, which isn't much of a problem as it seems that they haven't blown up in popularity yet but I believe they absolutely will soon enough with how good this food is. Step outside of your comfort zone and try something new here and you won't regret it.

New update: I had the tom saeb moo (spicy sour soup with pork rib tips) and it was the best I've had I'm not being hyperbolic. They made it a perfect level of spicy for me but if you're used to super thai spicy like at NK Thai Noodles with their beef version of this just ask for extra spicy.

More: The moo palo is so hearty and decadent with tender pork skin and fat. The braising liquid soaks into the rice producing a flavor profile much like Taiwanese braised pork rice. Delicious but beware if you are the type that doesn't like biting into big pieces of jelly-like fat.

EVERYTHING HERE IS GOOD This is seriously my favorite restaurant...

This place is a rising star for anyone who loves Thai food. Until now, my go-to spots were Thai Bird and Boi Boi, but Dong Son has definitely earned its place on that list.

From the moment you step inside, the friendly staff make you feel at home. But the real magic is in the food. Dong Son’s unique menu offers a fresh take on Thai cuisine, with flavors that feel both authentic and innovative. The dish I had was packed with bold, well-balanced flavors, and the quality of the ingredients is undeniable.

Whether you’re a longtime Thai food lover or just looking for a great new spot in Amsterdam, I highly recommend this place. It’s clear that Dong Son isn’t just another Thai restaurant—it’s one that’s here to make an impact. I’ll definitely...

Five stars only because 6 are not possible :'/

It's easy to see why so many reviewers give this restaurant maximum score. Food is amazing, service is fast and ultra-friendly, and the whole experience leaves you smiling by the end.

We had a chicken Pad Thai and a shrimp Pad Thai -- and both were so tasty, but not oily. The host (the most energetic, polite and charismatic person we've seen in the Netherlands hands down) recommended a banana milk drink and it was great! He also gave us pointers to travel around the Amsterdam area.

You can see they really value customers and their experience, and deliver on the most important front: the dishes. Fresh and quality food. Would come...