Good Japanese food can be hard to find in Europe (outside of Paris and Dusseldorf at least...), so when a Japanese colleague of mine suggest that this ramen place was one her favourites in The Netherlands, I know that it was definitely worth a visit the next time that I was in the town of Leiden.
... and so, after having been sitting on my list of places that I wanted to visit for a feed, I finally managed the other week, when we had a family visit to a museum that was just around the corner! A perfect excuse to suggest this place as a place for an early dinner after the museum visit!
The Space
The space is relatively small, although when we went it was quite empty (we went very soon after opening hours began and it was still very early for dinner). Most of the seating is for two, but the staff will happily accomodate larger groups by pushing tables together as needed.
The space does have a very nice vibe to it... clean and cosy, with quite a number of little Japanese style ornamentations and books around the place.
The Menu
So, this is a Ramen noodle house... so none of that weird sushi stuff here! Ramen is the real king of Japanese food despite it being generally lesser known in comparison to the seaweed rolls that have taken the world by storm. However, there really is nothing better on a cold day than a warm broth and great noodles with a variety of toppings... also great on a warm day!
From the menu, you can see quite a variety of different styles of ramen, hailing from different parts of Japan. Also, there are vegetarian options... and the extra topping options, all of which are very very tempting!
There is a great variety of side dishes as well... all of which are classic Japanese fare, with the notable exception of sushi! It's a pretty tough choice... everything on this side menu is a favourite of mine!
... and finally the dessert menu... life is not worth living if there were no desserts. Always the highlight to finish of a good meal... if you have time and the space in your stomach!
The drinks menu is also a pretty interesting choice of hot beverages... with some of the teas that I hadn't tried before...
Plus, the lemonade is quite something else... expensive when you get it so far away from Japan, but it is defintely worth it!
The Food
First to arrive at the table was the roasted tea rice... It's something that I've tried before, but my wife hadn't. Let's just say that the next time we go to the Chinese wholesaler, we will be getting some of this for our own home!
Edamame beans... steamed and lightly salted. This is always a hit with the kids (and the adults), as you are squeezing out the beans with your teeth or fingers... with more or less sucess depending on your age! The floor around our toddler was covered in beans....
Gyoza, the dumplings from Japan. Always a classic and a staple side dish for all of our Japanese meals. The kids just scoff these down....
Takoyaki, or octopus balls... the are these onion
(?) flakes that are moving around in the heat of the dish... it's pretty cool, but it is something that you have to see in real life! These are great side dishes that I had only found out about in Japan itself, and surprisingly enough, they were also a big hit with the children!
Which leads us to the main event... the Miso Ginger Ramen (top) and the Shio Ramen (below)... different types of broth with really excellent noodles. Firm and tasty... hard to find the right combination, but they really nailed it here.
The toppings were also very delicious... both my wife and I love the way they do the eggs, we really should learn it for home. The pork was also perfectly done, with a lovely streak of fat through it! Perfect main dishes!
The Experience
The food was excellent and the location is a perfect place for eating. Situated close to the train station, this is going to be one of my regular places to eat when I pass throug this town. It is a touch on the expensive side, and the servings are a touch on the small side, so even for me I would recommend a bit extra on the toppings or noodles or at least one side dish (more if you have kids that will eat them all...).
The staff are mostly Japanese, and they subscribe to the loud greeting that is common in Japan when a customer walks in the door (and out...)...
Most of the time, they will speak first to you in Japanese and then Dutch (or English...), it is a bit strange as we are in Holland and not Japan.. but it is quite interesting. What was really weird was that we also had a Dutch girl serving us who would also do the same! Even with the typical Japanese mannerisms as well...
Anyway, all of that aside... it is definitely a place I would highly recommend. High quality Japanese ramen is something to be treasured!
Opening Times
Monday Closed
Tuesday Closed
Wednesday 5–10pm
Thursday 5–10pm
Friday 5–10pm
Saturday 5–10pm
Sunday 5–9pm
Contact Details
Address: Morsstraat 26, 2312 BM Leiden, NETHERLANDS
Phone: +31 (0) 71 362 8296
Email: [email protected]
Website: https://fujiyama55.nl/
Account banner by jimramones
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Restaurant Information
Fujiyama 55
Morsstraat 26, 2312 BM Leiden, Netherlands
This post participated in the Tasteem contest All about noodles
These food are my fav in Indonesia. So easy to find!
Takoyaki is my fav snack 😁
Great review
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Thank you for the support and curation! Ramen really is the best! You are lucky to be living slightly closer to Japan than I am!
Oh what I would give to have a restaurant around here that serves this....we so miss it. It's so difficult to nail these dishes, kudos to your friend for the recommendation. Glad to hear the kiddos liked it as well, although those dumplings looked unbelievable :) thanks @bengy
I'm finding that these places (places with great food) are all around the place... I used to think that there was nothing in The Netherlands, but you really have to look around and there are gems to be found!
This looks really good! I wanted to try a Ramen place when my wife and I were in Vegas a short time ago, but it just didn't fit into our schedule. This looks like it is some really top quality stuff!
Ramen is the best... you will never eat sushi again!
Wow! That looks just super! I'm sure it was just serendipity that there was a museum right around the corner to visit!
I'm with you. Sushi is an abomination to real food. Ramen on the other hand is the real deal.
Thanks for a simply lip smacking review. If only there were a bridge to Holland....
I think the US would have some pretty decent Japanese restaurants... our downside is that we have no good Mexican places (well, there is this one....).
Pure luck for the location... no manipulation required... this time!
Japanese dishes look super interesting, another food house to check off you list.
Japanese dishes are always really well presented and thought out! It has to be one of my favourite nationalities of food in the whole world!
Dumplings, Tokoyaki and Ramen...love all these delicious food.
All the best Japanese food... And not a single piece of sushi in sight!
I am not really an Asian food lover! My wife and the oldest son on the other hand are!
Thx for the review!
This is a good one if you are in the area!
This place looks good. Noodles are always a winning choice in my mind.
Ramen is the best! I don't know why people go crazy about sushi....
Ramen, love it.!! Glad to see it everywhere!
It's the best Japanese food! Much better than the overhyped sushi!
Oh! I love Leiden and this place looks so good! May be next time I visit the city I would try it!
Definitely recommend it! It is quite close to the station, so very easy to get to!
This was a really good detailed review. The site looks very enticing as well as the food. I can see where you will want to keep this place in mind while traveling. Thanks for sharing this. I would love to sample it myself some day.
It's worth a visit! A good ramen place is perfect for a snack or just to escape the cold!
Howdy sir bengy! this was a great review for a nice place, the food looks very good, tasty and unique and the photos are great, well done!
Thanks! This was a really great Ramen place! I'm so happy to have found it in a town that is relatively close by!
That's a wonderful find sir bengy! I think you should got there every week so they'll stay in business!
Ha ha... And I'll go out of business!
Oh I guess that wouldn't work then, perhaps once a month!
Ha, I had no idea you were Dutch too! :)
Too bad I'm never in the vicinity of Leiden. The more traditional japanese food does appeal to me!
I'm actually Australian (and my wife is as well...) but we live here... our kids are definitely echte Nederlanders....
There are also some pretty good places in Amsterdam as well, and one in Schiedam that I need to test out. Plus Paris and Dusseldorf if you are further south or east!
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thanks for share review.
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My pleasure, thanks for dropping by!
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