Nooch

Restaurant Nooch’s tagline is ‘Asian food with a twist’. With a menu that incorporates dishes from Japan, Thailand, Vietnam, Indonesia and China, the first part of this statement is certainly true.

Perhaps the ‘twist’ part lies in the fact that the restaurant brings together so many cuisines, because the food itself, while tasty and easy on the wallet, is nothing out of the ordinary.

My starter of mixed dim sum selected by chef was light and well seasoned. But the 'noodles ramas' - a sort of mini rijsttafel of stir-fried noodles, steamed veg and small portions of Indonesian chicken satay and beef rendang (an aromatic, slow-cooked stew) - was dry, as if the individual items had been prepared too far in advance and reheated.

Although located in the Negen Straatjes, a group of nine narrow streets which connect the Prinsengracht, Keizersgracht and Herengracht, Nooch is surprisingly spacious. Most of the tables are situated down one side of the long room, the floor is bare concrete and the walls are unadorned.

The furnishings the restaurant does have – big lampshades, a high-backed red sofa, glass bottles containing a single bamboo shoot on each table - are what one diner described as fashionable "in an IKEA way". It was hard to tell whether this was meant as a compliment or not. What is clear is that the owners were going for fresh and trendy, but everything looks a little cheap.

Nooch’s formula seems to work, however, as the place is nearly always full. The service is also above average: genuinely friendly and attentive, even when you’ve outstayed your welcome - like we did - and are the last people left sitting. The food won’t win any awards, but restaurant Nooch makes for a pleasant and reasonably priced meal out.