One way to measure the quality of any given eatery is to check out how busy the place is. Empty tables don’t necessarily mean bad cuisine, but a packed place usually means it’s some fine food people are queuing up for. That’s certainly the case with The New King, a popular Chinese restaurant located in the Chinatown area near the Nieuwmarkt, opposite the Buddhist Temple.

While the popularity of the restaurant virtually guarantees waiting times up to 15 minutes during the dinner rush, the food will be worth the wait. For the best value for money, steer clear of the combination dishes and pick a flavorsome main dish, which are accompanied by white rice, fried rice or noodles and are served in sufficient quantities to justify the use of the infamous doggie bag. Carnivores should demand the flambéed lamb chops with garlic and soy sauce, whether this item is listed on the menu or not. Herbivores or pescatarians also have a wide variety of saliva-inducing options.

What truly separates the New King from other Chinese restaurants on the Nieuwmarkt is the cordial service and a well-maintained and original décor: if you want to add a personal touch to the interior, you can leave your business card and it’ll be put up on the wall.