Today’s Vegan Moment: TSG Visits Vegan Junk Food Bar in Amsterdam

Who said vegan food had to be all twigs and berries? Sometimes you just feel like eating junk. Vegan junk food that is. While I was in Amsterdam, Danielle (CruiseMiss) and I visited the one of a kind Vegan Junk Food Bar and quickly discovered we were in for a real surprise.

Vegan Junk Food Bar at Marie Heinekenplein

From the second you arrive at the Vegan Junk Food Bar, you can be certain that you’ve never visited any place quite like this. From the neon pink lights and art to the graffiti walls and signs, this is no ordinary restaurant.

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The decor was definitely a feast for my eyes, but would the food live up to the high expectations I already had for the restaurant?

The Vegan Junk Food Bar Menu

The Vegan Junk Food Bar currently has two locations in Amsterdam. One is the restaurant we visited in Marie Heinekenplein, their restaurant, and the other is at Staringplein 22, their Burger Bar. I mention this because they have unique menus for each location.

At the restaurant you’ll find starters (olives or maybe guacamole and tortilla chips), salads (Baby Kale Chik’n Caesar), burgers, sides (truffle fries), specials Blue Corn Chik’n Tortilla), and of course, dessert (Pink Oreo Cupcake). They also serve alcohol including cocktails, spirits, wine, and beer and nonalcoholic beverages, too. There’s definitely something for everyone on the Vegan Junk Food Bar, whether you’re a vegan or not.

Starters

This is the the kind of dish that goes great with a cocktail and dim lighting so no one sees how much you've stuffed into your face.Click To Tweet

Based on the suggestion of our host and server, Hassan, we tried the Mediterranean Springrolls. I have to admit that I wasn’t terribly excited about this based on the menu. After all, it says, “Soya based cheese, spicy chili sauce” so it doesn’t sound that interesting. Yet, somehow they’ve managed to create a starter that I’ve not had anywhere else and is so incredibly good. Like so good I could’ve just sat there and eaten 20 more of these. They’re salty, spicy, and crispy and so damn good.

This is the the kind of dish that goes great with a cocktail and dim lighting so no one sees how much you’ve stuffed into your face. I didn’t think soy cheese could taste so good, but let me tell you — these are sheer perfection. I relaxed more into my seat and took in the entire restaurant while eating. Everyone else had a similar look on their face. Let’s call it contentment, shall we?

Classic Shawarma

For her main, Danielle chose the Classic Shawarma, a plant-based shawarma, lettuce, tomato, red, spring & fried onion mix, fresh herbs, garlic & spicy VJFB sauces along with a side of onion rings.

Promise me you’re not drooling on your computer or phone as you take in this close up of the Classic Shawarma. Considering Danielle is not a vegan and really loved the sandwich, it’s safe to say that Vegan Junk Food Bar serves up great food for everyone, not just vegans.

Original VJFB

This is a veggie burger that doesn't fall apart the second you bite into it and holds up to all the toppings paired with it. Click To Tweet

How about biting into the most incredible veggie burger you’ve ever had? I tried the Original VJFB – a plant-based beef, cheddar, lettuce, tomato, red & spring & fried onion mix, pickles, and VJFB sauce and I was instantly in love. This is a veggie burger that doesn’t fall apart the second you bite into it and holds up to all the toppings paired with it. That’s including the crunch of the fresh veggies and the creaminess of the VJFB sauce. So good! Can you hear the vegan angels singing?

Go ahead and take a closer look at the Original VJFB. You know you want to. I promise I won’t tell anyone. Yet, I probably will because well, that’s what I do.

This burger is massive in size. Like BIG people. The kind of burger you share or devour by yourself and then not step on the scale this morning. The only negative thing I might say about it is that the bun is huge. But if you like bread and want a big burger, it seems appropriately sized. I removed the bun and ate the innards of the Original VJFB and thought about taking a nap when I finished.

For my side, I ordered the Golden Seaweed Nuggets, golden crunchy dutch weed bites with weed sauce on the side. Tell me the Vegan Junk Food Bar doesn’t have a great sense of humor? While you might expect them to taste completely seaweed-y, they weren’t. The taste was hard to explain, but it seems like something I had to try and you should try them, too. See — there are other kinds of weed in Amsterdam after all.

Decor and Service

The decor of the Vegan Junk Food Bar combines slick neon signs, graffiti, white subway tile, and funky lighting. This produces a unique and yet, comfortable environment in which to gorge yourself on some unique vegan offerings that you won’t find anywhere else.

As for service, our server, Hassan, was polite, helpful with explaining the menu and making suggestions, and he never rush us and always brought our food out in a timely manner. Other guests in the restaurant looked satisfied and relaxed, which is always a good indicator of both food and service while dining out.

Final Thoughts

While I’ve had the chance to travel around the world and eat in a variety of vegan and non-vegan restaurants, none compare to the eclectic vibe of Vegan Junk Food Bar. Therefore, if you’re up for something completely new and different while in Amsterdam, run, don’t walk to VJFB. Oh and definitely go hungry because you’re going to want to try everything.

VJFB – Restaurant
Marie Heinekenplein 9 – 10
1072 MH Amsterdam
Hours: 11:00 am – 1 am

Have you tried Vegan Junk Food Bar yet? What did you think? Have you tried any other vegan restaurants in Amsterdam that you think I should try? Let me know in the comments below. And while you’re here, check out the other Travel Shop Girl dining reviews, too.

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While we were provided complimentary meals from Vegan Junk Food Bar, as always all opinions and photographs, unless otherwise noted, are my own.