The Best Beef Bulgogi in Amsterdam: Chun Cafe
On a recent trip to Amsterdam, on a coffee shop travel excursion, I was determined to hunt down and wait, yes WAIT, in line for the best sandwich in the city. Situated in the 9 streets shopping and cultural sector, my favourite area of Amsterdam btw, sits this perfect little café called Chun.
I first heard about this café via TIKTOK and YouTube. A food blogger I follow, Food Review Club, went there and was blown away by the standard of the sandwiches. I sat at home, watching this guy devour the sandwiches on the streets of Amsterdam, and I just thought book me a flight right now.
Later, on TIKTOK, I started searching for the best sandwiches in Amsterdam. Chun came up nearly every time. People were queueing in the streets. Over Canals. Waiting patiently. The videos of the food were amazing. GET ME THERE!
So what is the hype about Chun? Well, the cafe was started after covid times. The owners, a couple, found themsleves trying to diversify during that turbulent period and they wanted to sell Matcha products from home. The demand was high, and they decided to find a shop to sell their wares from. They found it in the Jordaan. it was not an over night success. the quality of thier product, plus the use of social media, made this place well known, not just in Amsterdam, but also across Europe.
My second day in Amsterdam, after much drinking of coffee and sightseeing, I walked over to que for Chun. As I approached, on a canal, the sign says that the waiting time from this point was 1 hour. Yes, 1 hour. Thankfully, the que was small. I approached the end and only had 4 people in front of me. Hurrah!
Chun has staff on the street. Wearing distinctive clothing. I found this reassuring. I was worried someone was going to cut the line. I worry about silly things. I am not a person of violence. But if someone cut in front of me there would have been chaos. Luckly, for any would be line-cutter, I was called forward and I approached the door. Again, hurrah!
There is another small section to wait at the door. You need to walk up a small flight of stairs to get into the café. People come and go. More people approach and try to walk straight in but they are stopped by the friendly door supervisor. They walk away disappointed that they must wait. I can’t help but smile smugly as I walk in the front doors.
The café is small. Bright and modern. They have a lovely front window, with a rounded bench seat. I look jealously as the couple sitting there. They look a bit too happy to be there. They know they have the best seat in Amsterdam right now. There are about 5/6 more tables. All full. More people wait at the back of the room to be seated. I just wanted take-away so I was in and out.
I was greeted straight away by a friendly hostess from behind the counter. The menu is on the wall and on boards in front of you. I order the Ribe Eye Beef Bulgogi and a Flat White. The sandwiches are known as ‘toast’. This is what I came for. They have other options. I guess. But I am here for the Beef. End of.
I wait. Not long, maybe 15 minutes. The coffee arrives first. I wasn’t there for coffee but as I am a massive fan of good coffee, I had to order one. It was delicious. The barista took her time, and it came out just right.
I sipped and looked about. One thing that caught my eye was customers, which had already eaten their food, were actually ordering more food to take home with them. They wanted more. That’s how you know the food is good.
As I wait, I notice the chefs at the back. Chun has an open kitchen. The chefs look busy and professional. Behind the counter there are 4 baristas/counter staff. All very friendly and chatty. You can tell this place has a lovely vibe. Despite it being busy, the staff were always nice and friendly. I have been in too many places that were super busy and the front of house staff were horrible. Chun doesnt have this problem.
The food arrived and I said my goodbyes. I think. I may have run out the door with the food. I made a video as I walked, swinging the bag from side to side in delight, hoping everyone could see what I had. The prize. A sandwich from Chun. I passed the que, and they all turned to look at me. I had what they were looking for. They had that desperate look of envy and jealousy. Mixed.
Ok, so this may not have happened. But I like to think it did!
Anyhow, time to eat. The package is like a wee box, wrapped with paper and a label that indicates it is indeed the Chun Rib-Eye Beef Bulgogi. I find a place by the water and sit down. The sandwich is a big loaf of bread toasted. The middle is sliced, and the ingredients are inside.
On top, an egg. Soft boiled, as it said it would be. Yummy. Covered and smothered in the mild spicy sauce. Really yummy. The beef Is underneath this treat. It is not shreds or large cuts of rib-eye. It almost like a mince. The sauce runs through the mixture, as well as other bits and pieces of delicious flavours.
As I eat, I am aware of two things. Boats slowly glide past on the canal. Boat loads, maybe thousands (ok, a few dozen) of people watch me devour this delicious sandwich. Do I care? Not one bit. The sauce is running down my beard. Let them stare!
The second, is more alarming. A giant black crow has landed beside me. He is looking at my sandwich. Maybe this crow has TIKTOK. Maybe he follows the Food Review Guy on YouTube. Maybe he is just opportunistic. I don’t wait to find out. I run to safety with my half ate Beef Bulgogi. As many know, I do not share food.
Back to reality, I finish the sandwich and sit and watch the world go by. Satisfied. I thank all the gods that the sandwich lived up to reputation. Rumour is that Chun will open a second café soon. I see why. Staff are good, coffee is good, and the sandwiches are, you know, very good. Btw, when I say good, I mean fantastically brilliant, good.
Go to Chun, it will not disappoint.
Click on the links to watch my videos of my experience here:
https://www.instagram.com/reel/C6Vo9gaM-lj/
and here:
Chun. Café. 8 Berenstraat. 1016 GH Amsterdam. Open every day from 10-6…
If you find yourself in the area, and you are looking for something to do, please try out this tour. I love the history of the city. There are several museums I would recommend. But the tour below is a real eye opener. The life of Anne Frank is well known. On the tour you will find out so much more, and it is run by excellent guides.
The tour is described as: Join an introspective walking tour through Anne Frank's life. Explore the Jewish history of Amsterdam and the horrors of German occupation during World War II with a local guide. follow the link below.
Enjoy your trip, and send me an email to let me know how you got on!