Amsterdam is not much of a gourmet city — that title seems to go to Rotterdam (maybe there’s something to be said for being bombed out of brodjes and bitterbolle, or however they spell the things.) However, there are a few bright stars (dammit, I really am trying to lose weight, so why am I going out and feeding and writing blog posts instead of spending time at the gym?)
One of these, found as usual by the lovely and talented Karin, is Mashua, a Peruvian-some-other-stuff fusion place, run by Jochen, a really cool Dutch guy who is tremendously enthusiastic about Peruvian food. Asking him jokingly whether the pisco was Peruano or Chileno elicited a vaguely offended response. I honestly couldn’t figure out who the Peruvian was — the Peruvian-looking waiter was Dutch, and the Dutch-looking guy behind the bar (QED — the owner) …also Dutch.
Upon being informed that even our Chilean neighborhood bar in Paris didn’t make pisco sours (due to some bizarre French law that prohibits the use of raw egg whites due to salmonella concerns — LAND OF TARTARE AND FROMAGE DU LAIT CRU? HAH) he did go slightly stereotypically Dutch and informed us, very matter-of-factly, that it is possible to use pasteurized egg whites. Bro, please, that kind of ruins it, just lie and claim it’s the real thing.
The food was great, particularly the ceviche and breaded prawns. The location’s pretty cool as well, especially if you get to sit canal-side. If you try it, ask the owner to show you his collection of Peruvian cookbooks, of which he is immensely proud.
Mashua
Prinsengracht 703
1017 JV Amsterdam, Netherlands
+31 6 52504403
www.mashua.nl
