Katsu 1e van der Helststraat 70, Amsterdam

Street	1e van der Helststraat
District	The Old South
Town	Amsterdam
Province	Noord Holland
Postcode	1072 NZ
Telephone	(unknown)
Open	Mon-Thu 11:00-23:00, Fri-Sat 11:00-00:00, Sun 12:00-23:00
Map	Albert Cuypmarkt Map.
e-mail	katsu@xs4all.nl
"Official" Site	www.katsu.nl

	Description

Extensive menu.

Map of Albert Cuyp market area.

Katsu has a Volcano vaporizer

	19 0 0 Comments

See also forum topic.

Doody from USA. Sent 28 Oct 2005.
One of the best! The "Killer Green" is only sold in 2.2 gm., 20 euro baggies, but it is well worth it!

AzLaker from USA. Visited 10/20. Sent 24 Oct 2005.
Arrived early afternoon after hitting the Albert Cup Market. Great staff, especially the lady behind the counter. Asked to use the bong and she really took the time to clean it, before giving it to me. Bought a gram of NL's Special. Very nice! Hung out before going to the Heineken Brewery.

Neil from UK. Visited Feb 05. Sent 23 Sep 2005.
I didn't discover Katsu until my sixth visit to Amsterdam, and I'm convinced it's the best coffeeshop I've been to. The Northern Lights Special+ is a great smoke, I liked it so much I didn't try anything else, but I will next time. The service is good and friendly, I'm not usually a coffee drinker but they do it damn well in Katsu. They played good music not too loud and there were a few locals reading, chatting, playing chess, nice atmosphere.

Yank from USA. Visited 9 July. Sent 20 Jul 2005.
Great little shop, with good hash mistress; but with a bug eyed sidekick who is wound just a little tight. Shot one pic there, the skull on the sigs machine, and was preparing to picture his camera, imbedded in the wall overlooking our chill table by the window and door. Bug eyes came up from the bar area and declared photo forbidden. This is the first time any shop gave me hassles for taking a pic or two, also it is the first shop that I didn't ask if it was ok to take pictures. Anyway, great yummy hash and an especially good run of Amnesia Haze.

Valo from England. Sent 17 Jun 2005.
One of my favourite shops and I only paid 1 visit here so far. Quite a large menu for such a small shop and I was more than happy with the Northern Lights +, White Snake and Crystal Clear ice-o-later. The ice-o-later had a very unique high which was worth the wait after having to put it in the freezer of the hotel mini-bar in order to stop the plastic sticking to it. Very welcoming staff on this occasion aswell as friendly locals who were propping up the bar. Also had a good pinball machine. Looking forward to re-visiting on my next trip.

John from UK. Sent 8 Mar 2005.
What a place. Friendly locals and top weed, prices little expensive, tried the Sulu (black) really creamy taste recommended by the lady behind the counter and also the S.A.G.E. that was really nice.

Andy from UK. Visited 27-30 Jan. Sent 13 Feb 2005.
Katsu was my personal fave, just for being soooo chilled.

Keith from Ireland. Sent 8 Feb 2005.
Katsu has a really extensive menu. I only tried two different types, Diesel Skunk and Haze and both of them knocked me out. It really does the job! Also a very relaxed place to chill out with a vapouriser down the back.

J.C. from USA. Sent 19 Nov 2004.
Katsu has great weed. This time I tried the Kali Mist and I really liked it. Nice conversation with the locals too. That's where I learned that the place with the great fish tank had been closed down, and that De Kuil has a ton of Frank Zappa in the boom box.

Epsilon from USA. Sent 21 Jul 2004.
Smallish, but comfy shop located in de Pijp section of the city, less than a block from the Albert Cuyp Markt. Felt comfortable there as soon as we walked in. Kind of a planty, hippy feel to the place. Played Stones/Pink Floyd era music at nice volume. Good stuff. Nice selection of teas w/ honey jar. One of those windy, narrow stairways that tell you you're in Nederland up to the clean bathrooms. Friendly staff and clientele. Big communal table where the regulars seemed to sit and discuss the news, and a few smaller tables. A pinball machine. A top of the lister for Amsterdam. Oh yeah, the stuff they sell got me nicely ripped.

Doody from USA. Visited May 26 - June 7. Sent 20 Jul 2004.
A must visit! In a great part of town, half the adventure is just getting there through the Albert Cuyp Market. As you enter the smaller size shop there is a room filled with plants and one large table with chairs, then stairs that go down to the bar section, where there are many stool seats at the counter, and tables around the walls, with a low, but cozy ceiling. The menu is at the counter there, a very extensive and high quality one at that. I recommend the Silver Pearl Haze, which at 7.50 euro a gram, is one of the best deals in town! I also got a "Mixed-Haze" pre-rolled joint for 3 euros, good price, it really did the trick later on. The hash at Katsu has earned a reputation, and now I know why. I tried the "Crystal Clear" and it was a whole new experience for me, a must try for the advanced smoker. The staff and patrons were very friendly, and the ambiance is simple, but very relaxing. I had a great time chatting with the all Dutch group that was in front, at the big table. They were playing some good rock, Pink Floyd, etc., and they have pinball as well as other video games, a good bonus. The bathroom is up a tiny little stair case, be careful. Lots of drink choices, including delicious cappuccinos. One of the best shops in town on every level, don't miss it!

J.C. from USA. Sent 6 May 2004.
I love this place. Had some Haze 1, and that was great, a total classic. Tried some Blueberry Special too, I don't know why, I should have gone with what everyone else was getting, the Golden Sage. But I tried that last trip so I figured I'd try something new. Katsu is special because they take the time to do a nice cure. They know what they're doing. I also tried the King Hassan hash, and that was a real treat. Cool people hanging out in there too. Can't say enough good things about Katsu.

Matt from Wales. Visited 03/02/04. Sent 4 Feb 2004.
This is easily my favourite coffeeshop in Amsterdam. Previous times I have gone in and bought their justifiably famous hash to take away, but this time I spent a good while in there having a smoke with someone I had met that day and with the dude working there. Two warnings: Crystal Clear is dangerous stuff (and see-through!), and the guy working there won't rest till you are wasted! A nice chilled atmosphere, the friendliest staff and unquestionably the best hash money can buy - what more can you ask for? One last point, if you haven't had their water hash before, ask for help unwrapping it otherwise you might end up messing it up like I did!

Michael from Austria. Sent 16 Nov 2003.
The best coffeeshop of Amsterdam. In contrast to all the famous shops like Greenhouse, Dampkring etc. the Katsu doesn't impress with the decor, it's impressing with the very high grade weed and hash. The Water Hash is really kickin you down if you don't smoke very often. Ask my friend. The customers of the Katsu are mostly Dutch. Rating: very good

John M. from UK. Sent 18 Jun 2003.
We went in here after a morning strolling up and down the Albert Cuyp Market with my wife and her girlfriends and my mates, was a gorgeous day and quite hot and needed a drink, sit down and a smoke went inside, it looked larger than it did from outside and was reasonably empty so we all sat near the back of the shop where it seemed cooler. Bought some drinks and checked out there menu, seemed quite expensive but when I tried the weed and hash I could see why, bought some NYC Diesel and some Super Afghan and rolled up a FAT cocktail. This stuff was some of the best I had this trip real clear high, my mates who aren't heavy smokers got baked off about 4 puffs each which meant more for me. Had comfortable seats, pinball and friendly staff, also have a vaporiser for use and I did was like smoking air so smooth and hits hard luuverly.

J.C. from USA. Visited Mar 20-27, 2003. Sent 24 Apr 2003.
This place is a little out of the way, and very small, but the weed was fantastic. I kept hearing how rude the staff was to other folks, so I was a little intimidated about it at first, but I was very pleasantly surprised. They were great to us, and there were a lot of locals there who seemed to be as comfortable as we were. The Sage was fantastic and very intriguing. It had a citrus/lemon scent that was truly one of a kind. It was a very nice smoke. Again, I really wished I had more time to go back there and try some of the other stuff.

K.C. from USA. Visited 3/12-3/18. Sent 21 Mar 2003.
On Saturday afternoon, on a beautiful sunny day in Amsterdam, I made my way on foot to Katsu near the Albert Cuyp market. It took me 2 and a half hours to get there (from the Spui area), but I got lost a few times. When I arrived, I knew that it was all worth it. One look at Katsu's crazy menu and I knew that I would be spending a lot of money. I indeed did. The lady at the counter knew I was a tourist as soon as I walked in. I sensed a slight amount of negativity, but as soon as I started ordering a ton of stuff (and all the "right" varieties), I think she grew to accept and like me. I did stand out a little, since most of the people there were 35+ in age. Anyways, on to the weed. First off, the Haze #1, which is supposed to be a pure Haze (which I doubt) was the best herb I got in Amsterdam in my week there. The almost pure Haze delivers such a distinct clean Sativa high that I forgot it was just weed. And the superb spicy flavor is like eating exotic fine foods, it's crazy. Amazinginly grown and cured stuff. I decided I had to try the famed crystal clear hash. At 12 euros for a very small amount (about the size of 3 american 25cent pieces, but paper thin and sold in little plastic sleeves), I must say it is pricey. But it was by far the best hash I had ever smoked. Crazy and clean taste and a high that I don't really associate with Hash. More of a clean and up high. Awesome. Also tried the Super Northern Lights, Katsu Special, and Imported Thai, all of which were amazing weeds in their own ways. I wanted to go back to try S.A.G.E. (Sativa Afghan Genetic Equilibrium), but I never did. Anybody try that? Katsu is well worth the trip if you are anywhere near Amsterdam.

Pedro from USA. Sent 26 Feb 2002.
One of best shops in Holland, great atmophere, very knowlegeable folks, love the Kali-Mist (Super Sativa)

Professor Horsecollar from USA. Sent 2 Apr 2001.
This place is out at the edge of Albert Cuyp market, a mere 10 minute ride on tram #24 from Centraal Station. The tram stops just a few meters past the market at - you guessed it - the Albert Cuyp stop. You are at the opposite end from where Katsu is located, so you have to walk thru the approximately 100 yard pedestrian mall, hang a right at the street that marks the end of the market, and Katsu is located a few steps up on your right. Can't miss it. It's so ridiculously easy to get to and find, but I guess most tourists find it too daunting a prospect. It's a decidedly local-patronized establishment with lots of homey character and good jazz playing over the sound system. I had read some rave reviews on their product and some equally scathing comments on their treatment of tourists. I feel like I was treated courteously. Actually I felt quite comfortable in the mainly oldsters crowd that already packed the place by noon, sipping coffee over their newspapers. Katsu's Water Hash had taken 1st place honors in the CC and was my top priority. This hash is the craziest damned stuff I've ever seen. It's like a translucent gel, and comes wrapped in plastic tape. Getting that stinkin' damn tape off was the most difficult part of my whole trip, and I think I smoked some tape too. But the taste, aroma, and effect of this rare and pricey product are outstanding. Another internet testimonial proclaimed that the author never smoked any grass except Katsu's Northern Lights Special, and this was the second object of my visit. I bought a small prepackaged for I think 12 or 15 guilders. While I was waiting for the guy to get back with my Water Hash, someone came in and bought a large Super Pollen, which I think is the same stuff that tied for 3rd place in the CC hash category, and was on my shopping list for Katsu. At any rate this guy assured me it was a wasted trip if I left without some Super Pollen, so I got a small order of it too. Just superb stuff all around. Lem - you've got to put this place in your guide! Have they pissed you off or something, cuz apparently they are good at it? But I think that a publication of ACD's stature must include the 1st and 3rd place CC hash winner

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	Awards

		Rated as one of Amsterdam's Top 40 Coffeeshops by Kip in his book 'Mellow Pages'
		Recommended by Joe Pauker in his book 'Get Lost!' The Cool Guide to Amsterdam

		2004 Cannabis Cup 2nd for 'Killer Green'
		2001 Cannabis Cup 1st in Hash category for 'Crystal Clear'
		2001 Cannabis Cup 2nd in Press category for 'Super Sage'
		2000 Cannabis Cup 1st in Hashish category for 'Water Hash'
		2000 Cannabis Cup 3rd in Hashish category for 'Psycho Pollen'

	Katsu

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