The Statement

Poznań’s Asian food scene is fiercely competitive. From Thai and Vietnamese to Japanese and Malaysian, locals know their food and don’t settle for average. So when a new restaurant boldly claims to be “Poznań’s most authentic Asian restaurant,” it’s a statement that deserves to be put to the test.

Welcome to NOKO Kitchen, the newest addition to the Old Town, located on the corner of Wroniecka and Kramarska 7, in the very spot where Why Thai once stood. Thankfully, the change in ownership hasn’t meant a complete reinvention. Marta and Marcin, the new owners, have kept the Asian soul of the restaurant alive while introducing a menu inspired by flavours from across the continent.

To support that bold authenticity claim, they’ve brought in Larry, a chef from Malaysia who already owns three restaurants back home. And here’s a fun fact—this is Larry’s first ever trip to Europe. We can only imagine his first cultural shock was the weather.

The interior remains largely untouched, and honestly, that’s no bad thing. It was already one of the prettier dining rooms in the city. During our visit, Marcin was making small adjustments here and there, subtly putting his own stamp on the space, but the real reason we’re here is what’s coming out of the kitchen.

By the way, NOKO comes from the Japanese word “nokori,” meaning what remains or what’s left behind—a nod to preserving authentic flavours while creating something new. It’s a fitting philosophy, but would the food live up to it?

Starters Worth Ordering

Choosing wasn’t easy. The menu is packed with tempting dishes, so instead of trying everything (our wallets and stomachs politely declined), we picked a mix of classics and dishes we hadn’t seen elsewhere.

The Pepper Forest Soup (35 PLN) arrived first, packed with shiitake mushrooms, wood ear mushrooms, Chinese cabbage and egg. Deeply savoury with a warming peppery kick, it balanced earthy mushrooms with delicate sweetness from the cabbage, while the silky egg tied everything together into a comforting bowl that tasted like it had been simmering for hours.

Next came Marta’s signature starter—the Creamy Tomato Tartare (28 PLN). Fresh tomatoes sat on a bed of sour cream, finished with fragrant chive oil. It was simple but incredibly clever. Bright acidity from the tomatoes met the rich creaminess underneath, while the herbaceous oil added freshness without overpowering the dish. A perfect summer starter.

The surprise favourite was the Chicken Satay (42 PLN), beautifully presented on a banana leaf with peanut sauce on the side. The chicken was incredibly tender with just the right amount of char, while the marinade carried subtle citrus notes that gave it a fresh, almost lemony lift. The peanut sauce was rich and nutty without becoming overly sweet, letting the chicken remain the star.

Main Event

If there’s one dish you absolutely have to order, it’s the Pad Thai with Shrimp (42 PLN).

Fun fact: despite being Thailand’s most famous export, Pad Thai was actually popularised during the 20th century as part of a national campaign and was designed partly to appeal to international tastes. Whatever its origins, we’re very grateful it exists—because this version is one of the best we’ve eaten in Poznań.

Rice noodles, perfectly cooked shrimp, pork, mung bean sprouts and tamarind came together in beautiful harmony. Sweet, salty, sour and smoky all arrived at once without one flavour dominating the others. Too often Pad Thai ends up overly sugary or swimming in sauce. This one showed real restraint. It’s balanced, authentic and incredibly satisfying.

Our personal favourite, however, was the Sweet, Sour & Crispy Chicken. Fried chicken, bell peppers, pineapple, cucumber, rice and a fried egg combined into one seriously comforting plate.

Unlike many versions around town, the chicken wasn’t drowned in sticky sauce. Instead, the ingredients were allowed to shine individually. Personally? I’d happily take twice as much sauce—but Larry insisted this is how it should be. Considering the man owns three restaurants in Malaysia, we’ll let him win this round.

Save Room For Dessert

Our eyes were definitely bigger than our stomachs, but somehow we still found room for three desserts. Purely for journalistic purposes, of course.

The Mango Sticky Rice delivered exactly what you’d hope for—soft coconut-infused sticky rice with ripe mango finished with silky coconut sauce. Sweet, creamy and tropical without becoming heavy.

The Lychee Cloud was unlike anything we’d tried before. White chocolate mousse surrounded a lychee centre with delicate sponge cake, creating a dessert that was light, floral and surprisingly refreshing.

The standout, though, was the Fried Banana with Kaya and Coconut Sauce (18 PLN).

If you’ve never tried kaya, you’re in for a treat. It’s a traditional Southeast Asian coconut jam made with coconut milk, eggs and pandan leaves, creating a silky spread with notes of vanilla, caramel and gentle herbal sweetness. Combined with the warm, crispy banana and coconut sauce, it became one of those desserts you immediately want to order again.

At just 18 PLN, it’s also one of the best-value desserts you’ll find anywhere in the city.

Anything Negative?

If we’re being picky, we’d probably tighten the menu slightly. There’s a lot to choose from, and trimming a few dishes could make it even stronger. Then again, the restaurant has only just opened, so it’s understandable they’re still discovering what customers love most.

To drink, we sampled an Amaretto Iced Coffee, an Orange Espresso and a refreshing Mango Tea, all of which paired beautifully with the food.

Verdict

Authentic Asian restaurants often carry an unfair stereotype when it comes to cleanliness. Having reviewed more restaurants than we can count, we’ve unfortunately seen our fair share of kitchens we’d rather forget.

NOKO Kitchen is the complete opposite.

The open kitchen lets you watch every dish come together, while bursts of flame from the woks add theatre without feeling forced. It’s reassuring, exciting and gives the restaurant real energy.

They’re still finding their rhythm, and that’s perfectly normal for a new opening. Service will become smoother, tiny details will improve, and the menu will naturally evolve.

But one thing is already clear.

NOKO Kitchen isn’t just another restaurant trying to cash in on Poznań’s love affair with Asian food. It’s one of the most authentic Asian dining experiences in the city, sitting comfortably alongside the very best. If they continue on this path, queues outside the door won’t be far away.

Our advice?

Go now—before everyone else does.