Asien Shop Albertusstraße Cologne
Homemade Asian lunch
My memories of the Asien Shop date back to my childhood. Back in the '90s, when my parents used to own a shoe shop in the neighborhood, my mother bought soy sprouts here for my favorite dish , the Chinese vegetable pan. I remember the slightly dusty smell that was mixed with smells of other exotic, unknown spices every time we entered the Asien Shop.
Today there is only a few shelves with Asian groceries left, but you can still smell the Asian spices. That's because the focus is on the lunch table, open from 12:00 to 16:00 which is very popular in the area around the Ehrenstraße and its countless shops. Here, where they used to sell spices and ingredients, there are now tables and chairs made of lemonade crates, which are not comfortable, but sufficient for a lunch break.
The room is filled with the smell of Asian food freshly cooked by the owner Grace. There is only one or two dishes daily which makes the choice easy. But no matter what I choose I always enjoy the crispy vegetables (or tofu/meat) together with the perfectly cooked rice and aromatic sauces, which are mainly Thai or Indonesian-inspired.
Although now more than 20 years have passed and Grace's concept of the Asia Shop has changed, many things have remained the same. The smell and my joy at a delicious Asian dish. Not comparable to my mother's food, but cooked with just as much love.
Find your way with 138 Insider Tips from our Local Spotters
Nice place right!? There’s so much more to discover:
Discover all other hidden gems in Cologne
I Siciliani
"La Dolce Vita" in Cologne
"I Siciliani" in Cologne is an authentic place that'll remind you of Italy & Sicily - but the reason I come back on a regular basis are the tasty arancini!
by
Lea
Renner
Pizzeria Totò e Peppino
Attention, pizza lovers!
"Pizzeria Totò e Peppino" in Cologne is for you if you like delicious Neapolitan pizza, 'pizza bianca' or even fried pizza, the classic Naples specialty...
by
Lea
Renner
Kalscheurer Weiher
Rowing boats and picnic place
"Kalscheurer Weiher" Cologne is a pond with a boat rental and a small kiosk in Cologne's outer green belt. For me, this place feels so down-to-earth...
by
Julia
Krakau
Holm Kaffeerösterei Café
Warmth in Lindenthal
The atmosphere is both minimalist and warm, and there is a good selection of drinks and pastries such as tartelettes, carrot cake and cinnamon buns.
by
Justine
Vandendorpe
Impact Café
Fairtrade coffee in Sülz
The Impact Café is a cosy café where you can enjoy pastries such as cinnamon rolls, not-too-sweet hot chocolate, homemade iced teas and, of course, coffee.
by
Justine
Vandendorpe
Köski
Τhe "royal" Büdchen
Köski in Cologne is a real gem. Charlotte has taken this Büdchen, or kiosk, and made it into something else. I want to buy something every time I visit.
by
Julia
Krakau
Büdchen am Nikolausplatz
A personal story
"Büdchen am Nikolausplatz" is the Büdchen I work at in Cologne. That's right - I'm selling sweets, ice-cream and coffee, and I couldn't be happier!
by
Julia
Krakau
Manufactum Warenhaus
Sustainability meets design
Manufactum Warenhaus Cologne is a aesthetic design shop that all of my friends love, from designers, architects, to lawyers and teachers.
by
Gol
Ebrahimpour-Mirzaie
Bei Oma Kleinmann
Home of the Schnitzel
"Bei Oma Kleinmann" is one of my favourite restaurants in Cologne. I make sure to go there when I am really hungry, because their Schnitzels are just huge.
by
Stephan
Wehrle
Nextbike/KVB-Rad
I want to ride a bicycle
"Nextbike/KVB-Rad" is a bike sharing system in Cologne that's integrated with KVB, the mass transit system. Just 1€/hour - that's it!
by
Stephan
Wehrle
Bona'me
Our house!
"Bona'me" is a Kurdish restaurant in Cologne that means 'our house', and it does look like that. It has a delicious self-service concept with many dishes!
by
Stephan
Wehrle
Music Store
Play alalalalong
"Music Store" Cologne: only the biggest one in Europe! They don't only have 3-4 guitars - they even have a bistro, because you'll want to stay long here.
by
Stephan
Wehrle
Heading to Cologne?
138 Insider Tips from our local Spotters
Authentic Stories by Real People
Escape the Crowd & Travel Slow 🐌
... for just €9.99
Heading to Cologne?
✓ 0 Insider Tips from our local Spotters
✓ 138 Insider Tips
✓ Escape the Crowds
✓ Find Spots nearby
✓ Authentic Stories
... for just €9.99
City guides by those who know the city in and out!
Our Locals' Favorite Cologne
Our team loves Cologne
Get to know our other Spotters from Cologne
As featured on:
