Ken Sushi in Nieuwmarkt/Lastage

Only place in Amsterdam I found that tastes and feels like Japan :))

Very average and overpriced. Basically any japanese restaurant in the same price range is more worth the money and time

Upon arrival, we received a warm welcome, and the chef asked how our day was (which immediately made it personal). There was a nice, calm atmosphere. The fish was well-explained, and you could also ask questions if you wanted. I liked the pace! It's certainly fast, but you only get one sushi/sashimi at a time. The pace was perfect for us! We opted for the experience menu, which was perfect for immersing ourselves in sushi omakase for the first time. We also upgraded for +5 dishes. I thought this was a real bonus, as the flavors were even more pronounced! It truly enhanced the experience. Drinks were well-stocked, and the staff was very friendly! It was nice that everyone spoke Dutch.

Enjoy the OMAKASE ADVANCED! What an experience and what high-quality food. Absolutely a must-try.

No more all-you-can-eat sushi for me after this experience. It's great fun with a group, highly recommended. Good explanations, with a touch of humor, and an extra kick of wasabi. Shout out to Max! Oh, and there's a karaoke booth!

Chef Stijn made it a really fun evening with the most delicious sushi I have ever had 😋

The Omakase experience was amazing, the food was absolutely delicious! The service was excellent and very engaging as well. Definitely a place I would recommend!

Special restaurant where the chefs prepare great sushi and sashimi in this Omakase style Sushibar. You sit at a large U-shaped table around the chefs and get detailed explanations about the dishes. Filleting, smoking and roasting all while you watch. The sushi menu consists of about 18 servings and can be expanded on the spot if you are a big eater. The omakase dinner is really an experience you don't want to miss!

A fantastic and fun experience with Maurice! The chef is so great, and he makes sure you're kept listening to what he has to say in a fun and funny way! He made the evening even better than it already was! The food was so fresh and delicious that the sensation in your mouth was amazing!! Thanks, Maurice!! Greetings, Finn from the East

Delicious sushi, served with the accompanying sake. Enjoyable interaction with the chef, who provided detailed explanations. A lovely, relaxed location, highly recommended.

We went to Ken's Omakase and I'm still at a loss for words. An excellent culinary journey is not praise enough and a hymn of praise would be justified. We are absolutely thrilled with the quality, taste and culinary experience. Ken and his team deliver a first-class omakese. Everything is explained to them, any intolerances are clarified in advance, and everything is catered for. At the end we found out that the team pays attention to which hand you use to receive your course and how you put it in your mouth to estimate the right portion size for you. That impressed us even more and as Ken so beautifully says "it knocks you out of the socks". We then booked an upgrade because of the deliciousness and had 25 undoubtedly PERFECT flavor explosions which were absolutely worth every cent and a hefty tip. THANK YOU for this!

Everything was amazing. From the service, to the sushi, to the overall experience. Something to try at least once!

Very fresh fish, big fish selection, great atmosphere, fast serving and very beautiful omakase experience.

From the start (in the backroom of a Surinam catering service) to their current (beautifully hidden gem) location, it still feels like coming home. Probably the best Omakase Experience in town. Tip: Do order the extra 5 pieces. You'll be jealous of your neighbour and sorry if you don't!

Best omakase experience I've had yet. Food is very fresh and well made. Chef is very friendly and charismatic. Expect to spend 2+ hours here.

Phenomenal experience and incredible sushi - and I’m not a sushi lover! The preparation and presentation of the food culminate in a true flavor explosion that will make you fall in love with sushi. Combined with a hand selected range of sake’s, this is an experience that will not soon be forgotten!

One of the best meals I’ve ever had. Excellent service. Still thinking about it a week later. FLAVOR BOMBS. Can’t wait to go back.

Wonderful Omakase experience in a great atmosphere. The chef was very knowledgeable and friendly. He made the effort to explain every bite in detail and was happy to answer any questions we had. Each bite was delicious and meticulously crafted with an explosion of flavours. The fish tasted very fresh and of high quality, and the bites were designed to highlight the unique taste of each fish without overpowering it with sauces or too many toppings. The experience lasted 2 hours for the 20 bite option, and towards the end the chef asks you individually if you’d like to get the extra 5 bites for an additional €25. I opted for the 20 bites but still felt very satisfied by the end of the meal. Highly recommended for a special experience.

Great Omakase experience in the heart of Amsterdam! The chefs thoroughly explain the steps of and how to enjoy the edomae style omakase, all while staying friendly with the casual european charme. Sake and wine selection is extensive and the Service shines with its unintrusive attentiveness! A great experience and the best sushi i had since Japan!

What an experience! Ken is such a good host and great service overall and food was excellent!

One of the very best in the sushi world. I have been a few times now and it remains good. The service is also of very high quality. Marie in particular helped us very well.

Simply an incredible restaurant

Perfect evening! The food was delicious and the chefs were really nice and informative, only downside is that there were a lot of people who didn’t appreciate the food and the experience as much and were only there for the hype/instagran (and talking loud while the chef was talking). Overal, we had an unforgettable evening I really recommend!

I left the place a bit underwhelmed. When we first entered there was a strong smell of sewage. I know it is not their fault but it was still unfortunate. In the room where we dined there was no smell, but as soon as we left we could smell it (strongly) again. The atmosphere was not what we are usually used to when going to an omakase place. The room was loud, and at times I could barely understand what my wife was saying while sitting next to me. I understand that the noise is not always present, as friends that have gone before us did not share the same experience. The chefs were very nice as well as the waiters. We decided to go for the advanced experience, at the price of 150€ p.p. The starters were a bit disappointing, and throughout the menu they overdid it on smoking the fish. While visually spectacular, it takes away from the delicate flavor of the fish, which we couldn’t enjoy. All in all, the nighiri section of the menu was really enjoyable. We also really liked the selection of ingredients, as some are quite rare to find in europe (abalone, kama-toro) In conclusion, I don’t think this is the right place for somebody that wants to enjoy a truly traditional omakase experience. Because we’ve had such a different experience from friends that were here before us I also think that it may have been an unlucky evening.

Great service, but price is too high for the quality and variety of fish. There are many more authentic omakase experiences run by Japanese chefs.

Splendid omakase experience. We booked experience 1 and it was in a large, bright room at the back of the restaurant. Ken and his 2 apprentices were extremely informative, kind and talented. Ken explained all the dishes in detail. Highlight was after getting the extra 5 piece addition, we were asked to pick our favorite dish and have that served again.

We got the advanced menu, in general really liked the food. Ken, Tom and the apprentice were lovely. Received amazing service therefor the 5 star rating. The nigiri’s and appetizers were lovely. Wished to have seen more sashimi dishes of bluefin tuna sashimi. Also with my last dish, I chose a bluefin nigiri, however my piece of tuna seemed to still have the connective tissue attached, so I pulled a white string out of my mouth. I mean it is tuna after all, but it did make my last dish a bit unfortunate.

No words can describe how much I enjoyed myself here

Great food and experience. We got to try some different flavours and cooking methods. Very modern. It’s quite noisy for your typical omakase but it does seat more (20) so explains why. They have three rooms and you’re all served at the same time. Good value for money. Had a fun time.

Amazing experience! Max the chef was most welcoming, provided a lot of explanations, was friendly and most importantly- he made amazing sushi!! Go for 5 extra pieces, worth every cent!

We had a very successful evening, with a pleasant atmosphere and delicious food. Definitely worth the money and definitely recommended.

Delicious food and excellent explanation from chef Maurice! We will definitely come back!

Love the food! The explanation from the chef for each sushi was appealing. Overall the experience is super nice.

Great restaurant with personal service. Sushi will never be the same after this experience!☺️

Great what an experience for me the best sushi

The absolute pinnacle of omakase experience… chef Ken delivered the absolute best experience I’ve had in decades. The staff is perfect, the food is unbelievable and crafted with precision. Please give it a try, but not too much.. I still need to be able to get a reservation!! To Chef Ken and the staff, thank you. And see you again soon!

Amazing discovery! I will never eat sushi elsewhere!!

Had a great meal here tonight! Definitely recommended! Unique experience!

In one word AWESOME!! You have to experience this at least once in your life. Heavenly sushi. Nice, cozy atmosphere.

What an unforgettable evening at Ken Sushi! We opted for the omakase for €150 per person and were treated to a culinary experience that was worth every penny. From start to finish, we were surprised with a carefully crafted selection of the very best that Japanese cuisine has to offer. Each dish was a work of art – refined, balanced and prepared with respect for the season and tradition. The chef served, among other things, delicate toro sashimi, perfectly prepared nigiri with wagyu, uni, and grilled eel that literally melted on the tongue. The rice was at the right temperature, the fish was super fresh and each dish was personally explained, which made the experience even more intimate and special. The harmony between flavours, textures and presentation was unparalleled. With the whole family, we enjoyed an evening full of wonder, hospitality and top quality. Ken Sushi does not offer a dinner, but an experience – one that you as a sushi lover must experience at least once in your life.

Best sushi in Amsterdam! Outstanding service and nice atmosphere.

My wife organized a surprise dinner here. I didn't know what to expect, but I can say that my perspective of eating sushi has changed drastically. For the good.

My partner and I booked the €80‑per‑person Omakase in Tako Room 2, hoping for an authentic Japanese evening. Sadly, the experience fell short from the moment we walked in: The décor feels like a patchwork of clichés rather than genuine Japanese design. You walk through Koi Room 3, then Tako Room 2, and finally Lapu Room 1. The first two are overloaded with kitschy ornaments, while Lapu Room 1 looks comparatively tasteful. Our chef, a friendly Dutch gentleman, told us he’d been making sushi for just one year. In Japan it takes close to a decade to earn the title of sushi chef, so learning this was disappointing. The restaurant advertises a “true Japanese omakase,” yet the owner is Thai and most chefs in Koi and Tako rooms are non‑Asian. Authenticity clearly isn’t the priority here. The fish itself was fresh, but freshness alone doesn’t justify the price tag. Technique, seasoning, rice temperature, and pacing all lacked the finesse you expect from a proper omakase. At €80 per person, I felt more like I purchased an Instagram experience than a true culinary experience. If you insist on trying Ken Sushi, request Lapu Room 1—at least the ambiance there aligns more closely with what you might expect from a Japanese restaurant. Otherwise, skip Koi and Tako rooms and explore Amsterdam’s genuinely Japanese kitchens instead. Additionally, we faced two problems: • Drinks – My beer arrived with mysterious debris floating in the glass. The staff couldn’t identify what it was and simply swapped it for a new one. • Billing – At the end of dinner, the waitress handed us another table’s bill—significantly higher than ours. If we hadn’t checked, we’d have overpaid. Would I return? No. An “experience” that banks on stereotypes, mishandles drinks, and can’t even print the right bill is not worth my time—or yours. Note: If at the end of the dinner you don’t do the upgrade of €25 per person, you will find yourself waiting for the other couples to finish their upgrade before you will get your last sushi bite.

Had a fantastic evening at Ken sushi. Each course explains what you are going to eat and clearly attention and love is put into each course. I would recommend it to anyone who wants to eat a really good evening and wants to take the time to do so.

Good food. Both the crowd and performative parts of the meal were a bit “instagrammy” which I don’t love

What an incredible experience at Ken Sushi! From the moment we walked in, we were warmly welcomed and the atmosphere was immediately relaxed. Our chef, Jonathan, made the evening unforgettable. He was not only extremely professional and knowledgeable, but also incredibly friendly and funny, which immediately made us feel at ease. His passion for sushi and attention to every detail shone through. Each course was a work of art in itself, with beautiful, fresh ingredients and surprising flavor combinations that complemented each other perfectly. You feel that everything here revolves around quality and hospitality. Jonathan took the time to explain each dish and really enjoyed what he was doing, which made the whole experience even more special. We will absolutely be back! And if you get the chance, be sure to ask for Jonathan!

A very nicely decorated restaurant, with top sushi

absolutely amazing experience, can't imagine why someone would rate under 5 stars

Insane quality, service, knowledge and experience.

Cozy environment, excellent customer service, and the closest sushi experience to the one I had in Japan. Highly recommended.

Lovely omakase. Service was friendly. Pacing was great. We'll be back! We loved all the courses but the dessert was a bit odd. I like Japanese desserts made from azuki bean or sweet rice but this one was eggy with scallions. It tasted more savory than sweet to us.

Great food, great staff and just a wonderful night out!

Nice concept, delicious snacks, bizarre presentation of the 'wine list', a bit of a dinner show atmosphere, the place is not really clean and the interior is very untidy. But we ate really well.

One of the best sushi places I've ever been to. The quality of their produces is excellent combined with their great service makes for a great night you'll never forget. I'll definitely come back to this place.

Maybe my expectations were too high, but I was a bit disappointed. This was mainly due to the enormous speed at which the 20 snacks were consumed (the 'experience' was over in 1.5 hours). The explanation always went very quickly and the whole thing felt very rushed. At the end we were allowed to choose a favorite that we would get again, but we didn't even get a minute to think about it. There isn't even time to properly go to the toilet in between. The chefs do a great job, you can ask them anything, and the sushi is very tasty, but the snacks are very similar. Furthermore, I got the idea that it is mainly an Instagram experience. There are many (young) people filming/photographing each dish and the chefs also constantly jokingly say that you have to eat the dish quickly (due to the temperature), but that there is time for a photo. A ban on telephones would improve the experience a lot. Finally, it is a disadvantage that part of the table opts for the expansion of 5 more dishes and part does not, so if you do not do this you have the feeling that you are missing something / watching how others continue to eat. I don't think that would be very nice for the people who do order those 5 extra snacks either. Finally: at the beginning you are warmly welcomed, but at the end there is no one to bring your coat, etc. We had to ask ourselves where we should pay. All in all: fun and a special experience, but a bit too hyped and especially too rushed.

Brilliant sushi and great staff

Don't understand all the hype. this is not omakase, sushi "chefs" are playing with gas burners instead of focusing on the quality and width of the aisles. Oh yes, the sushi chef we were sitting at told us that he has been doing this for 3 months. At any other sushi place you are still mise en placing instead of serving guests

Yes it's tasty, yes it's also a bit overrated. Given the reviews, you have very high expectations, which means you are sometimes disappointed. We therefore did not take the 5 extras. Last rounds of fairly basic sashimi, tasty but not special. We sat in a room where the bar is located. Lots of noise and waitresses constantly walking by. Will I go there again? Yes and no. No, not on my own, but yes if someone I know really wants to go there and no one else wants to go. Still 4 stars for the chef and the delicious sushi snacks. And PS; please another dessert, this was really not tasty and this is not how you end your experience on a positive note (but this is my opinion).

Plus: # setting was fine with a maximum of 9 people at 1 sushi bar # pleasant layout of the restaurant # quality of the freshness products was certainly good # nice pace of eating (we were in the 1st shift at 5.30 pm) # from the GOLDEN upgrade of €25, you can only sit down and eat Minus: # you will be interrupted 25-30 times for the explanation of the preparation of the sushi, that is 'fun' the first time you come, but not anymore # we sat with our backs to a work bar and guest payment point and that was (this evening?) noisy, restless and cramped # Experience menu 20 snacks (80 euros) there were 2 snacks that really stood out because of their very good taste and the rest were quite basic and all had extra Japanese spices which predominated and took away from the freshness and quality of the dishes # wanted to drink sparkling water while eating, but it was not available nor were certain pouring wines #always nice that you are received nicely upon arrival and your coat is hung up, when you leave again that service is hard to find and you can find out where your coat hangs Conclusion; This could have been a bit better, especially for the price of 110 euros per person for dinner alone

Wow! I would never go to an all you can eat restaurant again or order sushi via Thuisbezorgd, it's not even comparable. What a nice, quiet atmosphere, delicious food and a clear, interesting explanation about the food. A very tasty and special experience, thank you Maurice for the beautiful evening!

Had a very nice and enjoyable evening with my girlfriend last night!! The food was very tasty, there was a story behind every dish, which made the food special. It was my girlfriend's birthday and the chef and team handled it very nicely, which made it feel even more special. Great chef Maurice, thank you for the nice evening!! 😁💪

Ken (or colleague) talks passionately about the delicious sushi that is prepared before your eyes. Every sushi is a surprise, and they are happy to think along with you to give you a great evening. Top business!

Always perfect, we enjoy coming there.

Really delicious food here! 10/10!! Definitely worth your money! Highly recommended for everyone❤️

Great experience. Great food and the staff makes for a great experience. We enjoyed it very much

Nice quiet atmosphere, delicious sushi, the King was our favorite. 19x sushi and a delicious small snack for dessert. I don't remember the names... :) Nice to see it made so fresh.

Fantastic night, the best staff ever and food is a great mix familiar and new tastes

Great quality of ingredients, authentic Japanese experience, we had flashbacks from our Japan trip :)

Great evening! Definitely recommended.

It was an amazing experience! Ken was explaining a lot about food but also sharing a lot of interesting facts. Sushi/omakasi was fresh and melted in your mouth. Our favorite was mackerel 🤤 Sake recommendations were ok, I didn’t feel like the waitress knew the menu. My boyfriend said that it would be better if mayonnaise used was homemade as well and not just from the bottle. Other than that we were very happy with the service and experience overall 😊especially when we got to know we have one extra round! Dessert was small but interesting, loved the combination of sweet and fried onion!

The experience was completely top notch, the fish incredible and watching the chefs do their job was amazing. I would recommend this to everyone who loves sushi

Jonathan was very friendly and extremely knowledgeable! This dinner was the highlight of my trip to Amsterdam.

This is one of my favorite sushi restaurants in Amsterdam. We had a delicious meal and it was always freshly prepared. Thanks again for the delicious food and see you next time! Greetings Hamza and Bilal

What can I say. I came here for my birthday dinner and this place is hands down the best place to eat in Amsterdam. From start to finish it was an amazing omakase experience. The ambiance, the food and the show from Maurice the man himself. I came all the way from Canada to see this man put on a show. I was not disappointed! Will definitely come back when I'm back in the city. Make sure to add the extra 5 pieces at the end it's well worth it! Definitely recommend!

After several recommendations, we finally had dinner at Ken Sushi. What an experience. We went for the full experience. Everything was fantastic, except the dessert. I'll leave that alone next time. Yes, there will definitely be a next time. Are you hesitating to go? Don't and go!

Had a great evening. Steijn who explained everything very well and was also up for a joke, highly recommended!

A fantastic experience every time! Friendly chefs who talk about the products with passion. The food is excellent, we had the idea that 1.5 years ago there were more premium products in the basic menu, but nevertheless it is a great experience.

Simply Awesome! After a warm welcome we were escorted to our place. Because we were a bit early, we were able to watch the preparations for our dinner while enjoying a drink. This scene already made our mouths water! The dinner itself was delicious! 25 courses where each dish was provided with a matching background story by Ken! The tastiest and most fun sushi experience we've ever had! The chef who prepared and served our sushi was very friendly and we enjoyed his work and the conversations! A complete experience that you should definitely experience at least once! Thanks Ken and all the other staff! We will definitely come back!

Divine food! Delicious sushi freshly prepared, you will never want another one ❤️

A wonderful experience! The chef will guide you through a omakase experience that explodes with flavor and textures. They use high quality ingredients and pay attention to detail in every piece of food. I especially love the story that they try to tell and the explanation that they give with every course. The staff is obviously passionate about their work. I went for the upgrade for 5 extra bites, and can say with confidence that this was well worth it. We will definitely be back!

Simply wonderful! The chefs really take you into the history of sushi and how they make the sushi. Every bit was a pleasure. Highly recommended if you like sushi!

A must if you live or are visiting Amsterdam! It was the best Omakase experience and they served the best Otoro I've had in a long time. Can't wait to be back for the 3rd time :)

Jonathan provided a fantastic evening! Many thanks. We will definitely come back.

Sushi Ken is a great option for delicious sushi. Value and quality are in perfect balance. The personal aspect makes it so special. We had Jonathan as our chef and we had some nice and fun chats. The foods is yummy and definately try some of the sake recommendations, they pair really well and may surprise you.

Best Omakase experience ever!! We had Jonathan as our sushi chef and you can really see his passion towards his craft.

Very yummy high quality sushi, but a bit too much overlap between standard (inc. upgrade) and advanced omikase. Hence, only 4 stars for food.

Wonderful experience & sushi dinner at Ken’s. Everything we ate was carefully & expertly prepared, fresh and delicious, thanks to Jonathan, our chef and edu-tainer. The place itself is cozy-chic, with the separate dining rooms, a bar (wish we knew so we could enjoy a drink before our seating) and a cheeky karaoke room tucked away in a corner downstairs. Looking forward to returning - maybe dessert will be part of the menu then…?

Had a perfect evening at Ken Sushi. The food was of very high quality and super fresh. Our chef Maurice created a good atmosphere at the table and was very friendly. He also explained in a fun way about the origin of the products and the dishes he served. All in all, an evening you will not forget, thanks to the delicious food and the enthusiastic chef!

Unusual experience in the crazy center of Amsterdam. Slow food, attentive service, delicious fish, and great atmosphere. Special thanks to chef Casper, who guided this journey. 20-bite menu is well worth the price 😋

Just wow. Amazing and balanced tastes, they explain how to eat each portion to maximize the flavor and why every ingredient is chosen and made the way they did it. Service was top notch, made sure we are satisfied and could enjoy it to the fullest. Overall the 4.9 they have is justified, (5 from me)

1 word: indescribable, best omakase I have tried it my life

Wow, what an experience, fantastic food in a nice atmosphere. Nice service. Truly the best sushi I have ever eaten

Great experience, had a lovely night. Thanks Jonathan!!!

Excellent experience, food and service. Looking forward to coming again

I visited Ken upon recommendation from my hotel butler. This was a fantastic experience - excellent service and very high quality ingredients. I highly recommend this place.

A wonderful sushi experience! One of the best culinary experiences I've had in the Netherlands and in general, and I've been to Japan! Everything was excellent from start to finish, the service was exceptional, the explanations we received about the dishes were fascinating and the food was 10/10…… Although not cheap, it's worth the price in my opinion. Highly recommend and will definitely come back again in the future!

I normally never write reviews, but Ken Sushi was totally worth it. Stijn, who helped us throughout the evening, was great – his humor and personal touch made the experience extra special. The restaurant has a cozy atmosphere and the food was delicious: fresh, tasty and well presented. Stijn gave us a lot of nice background information about the dishes. If you eat sushi here, you won't want it anywhere else. Definitely recommended! We will definitely come back.

For my son's birthday he invited me for an unforgettable sushi experience, and what an evening it was! Chef Tom excelled with his passion and craftsmanship. Each dish was a work of art, with exquisite flavors and a presentation that exuded nothing less than perfection. Tom's explanation about the origin and preparation of the dishes gave the evening extra depth. From the soft sashimi to the melting wagyu, everything was prepared with love and expertise. In addition to the great food, the warm atmosphere and the conversations with my son made the evening complete. The hilarious ending – a Zara paper bag tearing through the rain – provided a laugh we won't soon forget. Thank you, Atabey Can, for this wonderful memory and Chef Tom, for your masterful dishes! 🍣✨

Amazing evening. Great food, discoveries, originality and ambience. Can only recommend

Been to Ken Sushi several times. Every time it is a taste sensation, nice relaxed atmosphere and good service. One real 10!