Fuku Ramen

I ended up at Fuku Ramen on one of those Amsterdam November days where it starts raining at 8 AM and does not stop. The wind was sideways, my umbrella had given up, and I was soaked from the knees down. My friend Daan texted me "Fuku?" and twenty minutes later I was sitting at the counter with a bowl of tonkotsu ramen so hot that the steam was warming my face before I even picked up my chopsticks. That is my Fuku memory, and that is what this place is for.

Fuku Ramen is a small ramen spot that does one thing and does it well. The menu is focused — a few ramen options, some sides, done. The tonkotsu is the star: rich, creamy pork bone broth that has been simmered for hours, proper noodles, chashu pork, a soft-boiled egg that is cooked exactly right (jammy center, no debate). Daan always gets the spicy version with extra noodles and then quietly suffers through the heat while insisting it is "not that spicy." It is that spicy.

The space is small and you might wait for a seat during peak lunch or dinner hours. The counter seating facing the open kitchen is the best spot — you watch them assemble the bowls and the smell alone is worth the visit. Daan and I always try to get counter seats. If the counter is full, there are a few tables but the vibe is better at the bar.

For Amsterdam ramen, this is as good as it gets. I know that is a qualified statement — Amsterdam is not Tokyo — but Fuku takes it seriously. The broth has depth, the toppings are fresh, and the noodles have the right chew. My friend who lived in Japan for two years says it is "respectable," which from her is a massive compliment.

Practical stuff: they are usually open for lunch and dinner. It is not expensive — a bowl of ramen runs around 14-16 euros, which for Amsterdam is reasonable. Cash and cards accepted. You do not need a reservation for most times, but Friday and Saturday dinner can get a wait. Go for a weekday lunch if you want to walk right in.

The one downside: portions are standard ramen portions. If you are a big eater, get the extra noodles or add some gyoza on the side. Daan always adds gyoza and then says "I was not that hungry" while eating all of them.

This is not a destination restaurant. This is not the place I tell you to book weeks in advance. This is the place you go when you are cold, wet, and hungry, and you need something warm and good to remind you why you are alive. In Amsterdam, that situation comes up more often than you would think. Fuku is my answer every time.