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| The Dutch toko is a company with a local service area. | |
A shop with Indonesian and Chinese goods, often with a takeaway counter beside it.
What the word means
Toko is Malay for shop. In the Netherlands it means specifically an Asian grocery, and that usage exists only here.
What is stocked
Sambal in dozens of varieties, prawn crackers, spice pastes, coconut milk, noodles, fresh pandan leaves. Frozen dishes and snacks too.
The takeaway counter
Many tokos sell ready dishes by the tub: rendang, sambal goreng, gado gado. Often better and cheaper than a restaurant.
The Hague
The largest concentration in the country, with shops going back to the 1950s. The Indies community settled there after 1949.
For home cooks
Everything for a rijsttafel is there, including components supermarkets do not carry. Staff will explain what is for what if you ask.
Where to look
The Hague and Amsterdam for the most, and any city with a postwar district.
Where to try it
Places in our directory that serve this
Restaurant in Den Haag 748 · Restaurant in Amsterdam 1233 · Restaurant in Almere 190