The Lowdown

We’ve been eating our way through Poznań for a minute now, and our current favorite spot for Asian food is going to surprise a lot of you. To make it super clear, we’ve lined up two wildly different Asian restaurants for a head-to-head. One’s top-tier with big names behind it, while the other is lowkey, closer to the bottom of the food chain. You know, the kind of place that’s all about function over form. But guess what? Our number one choice might shock you.

The Showdown

First, there’s Lola, the new Chinese restaurant on Nowy Rynek. Tucked into the ground floor of a sleek office building, Lola is straight-up fancy. It’s got that polished, NYC-Chinatown-meets-high-end-vibe. The kind of spot you’d find in London or New York. It’s basically luxury dining in Poznań, with a big-name chef running the kitchen and owners who’ve clearly invested serious money into every detail.

Then, there’s 99 Plus—a Vietnamese joint over in Wilda at Górna Wilda 71. This place is a totally different animal. It’s simple, straightforward, and unapologetically authentic. With over 130 dishes on the menu (seriously, we counted), it’s a throwback to those no-frills, hole-in-the-wall spots where the food does all the talking.

Lola: All Flash, No Fire

Step inside Lola, and it’s like walking into a design magazine. The decor’s stunning, the atmosphere feels upscale, and the clientele is definitely serving looks. The food? Let’s just say it’s “pretty,” and we’re not just talking about presentation. They hand you a tablet to browse the menu like you’re ordering tech gadgets, not food.

But here’s the kicker—while the dishes were beautiful to look at, the flavor didn’t match the hype. Don’t get us wrong, it’s good—really good—but we left feeling deflated, like the focus was more on Instagram aesthetics than what’s on your plate. It’s got the vibe, the glam, and the crowd, but at the end of the day, the food felt secondary. If it wasn’t for the crowd (and some seriously attractive people), we probably wouldn’t head back.

99 Plus: Flavor Over Everything

Then we hit up 99 Plus, and wow—talk about a 180. No one’s trying to win any design awards here. The tables are basic, the interior looks like it was thrown together by someone’s kid, and the cutlery gives you those hostel vibes. And yet, this spot flipped the script completely. The food? The best Asian food we’ve tasted in Poznań. Period.

We’ve been to hundreds of restaurants, so trust us when we say this: 99 Plus is serving up the real deal. The family that runs this place knows their food, and they know it well. Forget fancy presentation or trendy vibes—this is all about the flavor. And the kicker? The prices are lower than anywhere else we’ve been. It’s like 99 Plus said, “Forget the bells and whistles, we’re here to cook.” The kitchen might be messy, but who cares? The food’s that good.

Dishes You’ve Got to Try at 99 Plus

So, what should you order when you hit up 99 Plus? Here’s our top picks:

Kurczak Chrupiący Po Tajsku – 24 PLN. Crispy chicken Thai-style. It’s juicy, crispy, and packed with a burst of flavors—sweet, tangy, with just a hint of spice that makes you want to keep digging in.

Makaron Udon Z Wołowiną – 27 PLN. Thick, chewy udon noodles with tender beef, tossed in a savory sauce that clings to each bite. Every forkful hits with deep umami flavors.

Zupa Tom Yum – 18 PLN. The classic hot-and-sour soup that’s bold, tangy, and spicy, with that addictive broth that warms you from the inside out.

Sajgonki Z Surówką I Ryżem – 17 PLN. Fresh, crispy spring rolls paired with rice and slaw. The balance of textures—crunchy on the outside, soft and flavorful inside—had us hooked.

The Verdict: 99 Plus Wins by a Mile

So, when it comes to food, 99 Plus beats Lola hands down. Sure, Lola might look like a million bucks, but 99 Plus delivers where it counts—flavor. Even with the language barrier (nobody spoke English or Polish very well), the authenticity made the experience better. It was like taking a food trip to Vietnam without leaving Poznań.

So, if you’re serious about your Asian food, you need to hit up 99 Plus. Whether you go for our recommended dishes or take a risk with one of their other 100+ options, you won’t regret it. We’re already planning our next visit to dive deeper into their menu.