Best specialty food shops in amsterdam

So I am not sure which shops to list for this post, but I am sure that the Mangi Store on the Reguliersdwarsstraat should be one of them. And the Portuguese deli on the Haarlemmerstraat. Oh, and not forgot Japanses Meidi-Ya! Give me some time and I'll make the list complete.

Mangi Store is the best shop to get fresh pasta in Amsterdam. The pasta's are homemade and everyday with wheat, water, eggs and love by the family d'Antuono. From spaghetti and tagliatelle (see photo above) to meat-filled tortellini and truffle-and-ricotta ravioli. For the unfilled pasta, you can use your own sauce or treat yourself to Mangi's pasta sauces. You can make life as easy as you wish!

Unsurprisingly, the place is pricey, especially if you compare it to life in Napoli or Puglia. But we're in Amsterdam, so hop on your bike, bring your wallet, listen to the staff how to prepare your pasta and enjoy it with a glass of wine. 

What's also sold here: olive oils, dried pasta (which suits certain sauces better than fresh pasta), wines and other Italian treats as Prosciutto and Mozzarella di Bufala.

The interior is 'modern and frill-free', clientele 'trendy and busy' and the staff 'helpful and patient'.

Mangi, Reguliersdwarsstraat 84, near Rembrandtplein, Amsterdam Centre.

In Amsterdam there’s one place to go to for real Portuguese food: Casa Bocage. This delicatessen store is by far the best lieu to get acquainted to Portuguese food. The Portuguese owner, who in the photo was treating me to the pastel de nata,sources cheeses, sausages, fish and wines from Portugal and Brazil. Open daily till 20h (Saturdays till 19h, Sundays till 17h), this is a take-away / delicatessen store to remember.

Casa Bocage, Haarlemmerstraat 111a, Jordaan, Amsterdam.

Apparently, there's a sister shop Adega de Amesterdao, J. Rebelstraat 40, Osdorp, Amsterdam.

Best take away sushi place and Japanese 'supermarket' is Meidi-Ya. With 10 stores in Japan, I see it as an honour to have one Meidi-Ya store in Amsterdam! Store is not open in evenings, so make sure you get your sushi in-take before 18h! Meidi-Ya, Beethovenstraat 20, T. 673 74 10

Shilla has everything you need to prepare an authentic Japanese or Korean dinner.Shilla - Japanese and Korean delicatessen. Whenever my Korean friend comes to visit me, she first has to visit Shilla at Groot Gelderlandplein in Buitenveldert - the area south of the A10. You can get all kinds of noodles, dim sum, sushi, kimchi, sauces, cookies and what not. At that's only at ground floor! Downstairs, you'll find Asian china, cook books and chopsticks. 

Shilla, Groot Gelderlandplein 32-34, Buitenveldert, Amsterdam.

Groot Gelderlandplein is a mall with over 80 shops. The first 1,5 hours there's free parking in the parking garage. There's a kiddieland for the kids. It never rains there and is open during regular shopping hours. Closed on Sundays (with exception of the Albert Heijn, open daily from 8h-22h).

Now that I've listed 2 Japanese shops, I also have to mention the Chinese Supermarket "Amazing Oriental" on Nieuwmarkt.

Again, give me time to complete the list of specialty shops. If you got tips, please write down a comment.

Update on May 2, 2012 by Kira

Delicatessen shop Stach.Shop of the Week: Stach

My De Pijp-insider told me about Stach months ago… and boy am I glad that I finally biked five minutes to check it out! Stach is a shop you’d expect in the country side. You know, with home-made stuff and run by the cousin of the lady owner, who now is too old to stand but still makes the marmelade. However, Stach is none of that... it’s located on the busy Van Woustraat and run by trendy urbanists (i believe). The street houses increasingly more worthy culi-places (Fa. Pekelhaaring, de Stadskantine) and Stach fits right in.

Four freshly made Stach sandwiches are on offer. The concept of Stach is making sure their clients eat good food. This means selling delicious and healthy home-made meals (that just need 4 minutes to be enjoyed at home), beautiful hams, oils and cakes, and also selling sandwiches.

Four different sandwiches are prepared for you on the spot. You can enjoy them upstairs where three large tables are placed. Rather have a warm meal? Then the Stach people are happy to heat one of the meals made that morning.

Tasted & approved: vitello tonnato.Every product is selected with care. In the (Dutch) Stach newspaper, I read about the lady that makes the cakes. She now bakes them in a former carpentry factory in Amsterdam Noord. The garlic sausage I bought to be enjoyed at home came from the rural province where I grew up: Groningen.

Finally, the service is friendly! Also in their newspapers & social media communications, you can feel that the Stach people are going beyond selling goods to make money. They try want to befriend you and educate you about their products. It’s almost as if we really live in the country side and shop at the village grocer!

Enjoy your treat upstairs or at home.

Why visit Stach:

> to fill your cupboards with tasteful foods (that are so much better than supermarket stuff)
> to have a quick and wholesome lunch or dinner on the spot

> for a tasteful take-away meal
> to indulge.

Tested & tasted:
Vitello Tonnato E3
Lentil, curry soup with coconut milk E3.99
Zucchini soup with mint E3.99
Garlic sausage from Groningen large E2.79

Stach, Van Woustraat 154, De Pijp, Amsterdam. Open daily from 11h-22h.