Taiko Asian Restaurant

General information

Named after ancient Japanese drums said to beat with a mythic rhythm, Taiko by Schilo is chef, Schilo Van Coevorden’s, hotly awaited new Asian-inspired restaurant in Amsterdam’s Conservatorium hotel. With a live Taiko player beating harmonious rhythms every evening, Schilo’s bright, delicate Asian flavours come with a beautiful backdrop.

Inspired since childhood by all things far Eastern, Schilo worked extensively around Asia, training with masters of the cuisine feeding a passion that has continued to grow to this day. Returning to his home city of Amsterdam, Schilo long dreamed of marrying his love of Asian cuisine with local, seasonal produce to create a whole new concept.

“At Taiko the menus employ all the skills, techniques and flavours I discovered in the Far East but I have the luxury of working with both local and Asian suppliers – meaning we can ensure that the real star is the ingredients. So, our sashimi-grade tuna is sustainably sourced in Europe and the beef sizzling on our Josper BBQ or table grills is either fine Dutch entrecote or real, authentic, succulent Japanese Wagyu. Our fish may be freshly line caught in the North Sea or, if the quality is better, flown directly over from Asia”, says Schilo.

He continues: “To ensure the most authentic flavours we’ve managed (rare for a European restaurant) to source the very finest sake from an artisan microbrewery. And we’ve chosen some beautiful Champagne as the ideal accompaniment to sublimely fresh sushi and delicate dim sum. I do not like the term fusion, but my philosophy at Taiko, to marry the very best of Eastern techniques and flavours with some wonderful local, seasonal produce, redefines the concept and creates something new and exciting. Plus it’s just the sort of food I love to eat.

”For some time Schilo’s Asian-inspired tapas at Tunes Bar have been wowing international visitors and locals alike. A chef at the height of his creativity, Schilo is not content simply to seduce. Beauty, flavour, aroma and texture are the instruments he uses to enchant every sense. And now he has refined and expanded his hugely popular concept, taking it out of the bar into the hotel’s leading restaurant. Originally the Conservatorium van Amsterdam music hall, the lofty, contemporary beauty of this converted hotel restaurant is the ideal space for a concept rooted in music. And, here, Schilo is in his element. Every dish he makes is a delight. With bursts of bright, delicate Asian flavour in each carefully balanced bite.

Whatever you order, Schilo’s passion always shines through. “The Japanese author, Murakami, says when food tastes good it’s kind of like the proof that you’re alive. I love this idea and am passionate about the way individual people react to certain tastes. My Daikon Salad, for instance, is a really popular dish with ladies due to its ginger dressing. Ginger is like a perfume and ladies love perfume.”