Mystery Spicy Bv in Nieuwmarkt/Lastage

The ramen soup and chili oil are very authentic, with the taste of China. I remember that the noodles were a little chewier last time, but I am very satisfied to be able to eat pure handmade ramen noodles in Europe. The overall value for money is very high. A set meal of 16 euros not only includes noodles, but also tea eggs and side dishes. The staff are also very friendly. We will come again next time.

April 28, 2025: What happened to this lovely restaurant? It's now closed, and the interior and neon sign have been removed. 😢

It was very tasty. I highly recommend it.

Highly recommended. Food is excellent.

€70 per person for the privilege of being wedged into a sardine tin, eating dreadful food, and receiving non-existent service. Hard to call it dinner — more of an endurance test, really. I had a 7 pm reservation and arrived precisely on time. I was seated on the first floor which, judging by the layout, seemed more like a game of human Tetris than a restaurant. There were diners to my left, right, and behind — close enough to borrow their cutlery if I’d fancied a different dish. Attempting to stand up to go to the loo felt like planning a minor military operation. As for the food: utterly forgettable. I’ve had far better Chinese meals in random small towns across Europe. I ordered the Tofu Beef, which turned out to be thick slabs of meat masquerading as steak, swimming helplessly in a gloopy, overpowering sauce that smelled rather questionable. Service? I wouldn’t know — I never actually experienced any. The waiters managed to check in with every table around me, switching charmingly between English and Dutch, yet somehow skipped me and the other Asian-looking table entirely. Perhaps being Asian in an Asian restaurant is an offence now? When asking for the bill, I politely mentioned that the dish was quite unpleasant. The waiter looked at me with the enthusiasm of a tax auditor, offered no apology, no explanation — not even the traditional “we’ll do better next time.” If you’re looking for a good meal, avoid this place. If you’re hoping to experience Chinese culture, avoid it twice.