Tag Archives: asian

Toko Dun Yong

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Amsterdam’s Chinatown is growing daily, with new shops opening along the edge of the district, servicing the booming restaurant trade and immigrant population as well as the growing interest in Asian food among Europeans.

Toko Dun Yong, a multilevel department store, has been selling a wide variety of products made in China since 1957. This is the class market in Amsterdam’s Chinatown, with far more items than the other, smaller markets carry.

Their excellent selection of food, kitchenware, ceramics, furniture, books, music, restaurant equipment and decorations are without peer in Amsterdam. Whether you’re looking for just the right size wok, or that special kind of tea you’ll find it here or nowhere.

If you can make it past the first floor’s enormous selection of edibles, venture downstairs to the basement’s treasure horde of kitchen and restaurant items. You’ll be sorely tempted to buy that long desired kitchen implement. I was amazed to see such a range of items, including things I didn’t expect to find in a Chinese store, like Paella pans (in 2 sizes!).

With all the other Chinese specialty stores around, the prices might not be the best on certain items, but it’s hardly worth the time to shop all over to save a few cents, when this place has it all.

Info:
Open: 9am – 6pm daily, Sunday Noon-6pm.
Metro: Nieuwmarkt

Address:
Stormsteeg 9
Amsterdam 1012 BD
Phone: +31-(0)20-622-1763

Tjin’s Toko

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I discovered this little market by chance one day while shopping at the Albert Cuypmarkt. It didn’t look like a grocery store because the front is a take-away Asian place. But once you enter into the main shop (there’s two doors, one for the take-away), you’ll discover a treasure trove of hard-to-find grocery items from countries around the world.

The three very narrow aisles stock a wide range of products that will remind you of home. Or perhaps some exotic place you wish you could be. Like a good selection of Patak’s curry pastes and condiments, soy sauces including light and mushroom flavored, canned hummous and tahini, real hot jalapeño peppers from Mexico (not the mild Old El Paso ones, which they also carry), Betty Crocker cake mixes and frostings, Mrs. Dash salt-free seasonings, Phad Thai noodles, a good selection of beans, chocolate chips (very difficult to find in Holland, despite so much chocolate everywhere), and too much more to mention. You really need to see this place to believe it.

The manager is very good about locating and stocking items that you can’t find. My request for hummous was filled by my next visit!

The biggest drawback to this place is how cramped it is. You can barely work your way down these short aisles before someone tries to squeeze by. And the lack of space doesn’t leave much room for fresh produce, and the selection in the one cooler isn’t much.

Perhaps success will enable them to expand and increase their selection further. While the prices on some items are very reasonable, others like the cake mixes are expensive (7.50 euros is a lot for a mix that’s around $2.50 or less in the states). But if you’re jonesin’ for that special treat to remind you of home, you just might find it here!

I haven’t yet ventured into the take-away yet, but judging by how busy it is, I’d say it’s a good value.

Update: You might want to check the expiration dates on items before you purchase them, as I’ve noticed certain things that don’t sell remaining on the shelves for a very long time.

Phone: 020-671-7708