A culinary guide from Zanoodle’s Toni Strnad: the best Asian food he’s ever tried

Zanoodle is a place where the menu brings together a tempting mix of Mediterranean, Asian, and fully local flavors. “We take fast food and elevate it with playfulness, creativity, and serious execution from our team to create something special,” says Toni Strnad, the chef behind one of Ljubljana’s most beloved and relaxed modern bistros. The food here is fresh, simple, creative, and incredibly tasty. “We make our noodles ourselves every morning, no joke. And a mandatory trip to the market is part of our daily routine.” They serve only natural wines and make their own kombucha, iced teas, and cocktails, and no one complains when the music gets a little louder.

From the new menu, Toni insists I try the tuna and venison tartare, their super fresh oysters, gyoza dumplings with Jerusalem artichoke, mac and cheese with roasted pumpkin, sheep cheese, and chicken skin, and of course one of their wild desserts. I tell him I will definitely come by the next time I am in Ljubljana, no question about it.

Toni is interesting for his culinary background as well. He spent three years working alongside one of Slovenia’s best chefs, Jorg Zupan, eventually becoming his sous chef. He describes the experience as priceless. “The most important lesson I took from that demanding environment was the value of a well connected team, good relationships, and genuine care for your colleagues. I believe that as a chef, you need to spend a lot of time in the kitchen and actively lead your team in order to earn their trust.” You can feel that at Zanoodle. The team is always in a good mood and completely in sync with the rhythm of the kitchen. Although I love their little Asian gems like the house made kimchi or fried noodles with crab, Toni admits that a true Asian food experience is still ahead of him. “I can’t wait to finally explore food in the places where those flavors truly come from.” Until then, he says his best Asian meals so far have been in Ljubljana, Vienna, and Malta.

Ramen bar Ichi go Ichi e, Austria

Address: Stubenring 6, 1010 Vienna, Austrija

When it comes to ramen, this place has the best broth I have ever tasted. The depth of flavor and texture is remarkable. By the way, ichi go ichi e is a Japanese phrase that means “one time, one meeting” and reflects a philosophy of appreciating every moment as a unique and unrepeatable experience.

Drunken Dumpling, Malta

Address: Corner of Triq L-Arcisqof &, Old Bakery Street, Valletta, Malta

Malta is a surprising blend of cultures, which is clearly reflected in its cuisine. This is a fantastic spot with divine noodles and a mix of influences that is truly enchanting

Ramen by Maru, Ljubljana

Address: Gosposka ulica 4, Ljubljana, Slovenija

Here you will find excellent, clean ramen. The menu includes several types of ramen such as shoyu, miso, and shio, with rich broths made from pork and chicken bones, as well as a fish based option with salmon and sea bass. Besides the classics, they offer interesting twists like curry ramen with cheese and a ramen salad that is perfect for summer. The space is small and cozy with a warm, intimate atmosphere.

Barra, Ljubljana

Address: Breg 8, Ljubljana, Slovenija

This is the place for a slightly more exotic Asian fusion experience. It combines Peruvian and Japanese influences known as Nikkei cuisine. The menu features creative dishes like ceviche, sushi rolls with Peruvian accents, and traditional tapas style plates.

Basa, Ljubljana

Address: Slovenska cesta 55, Ljubljana, Slovenija

This is a great option for top quality Vietnamese cuisine. The menu includes authentic Vietnamese dishes such as rice noodle soups like pho bo and pho tom, fried and fresh spring rolls, and rice based plates. Their pho broth is cooked for a long time, up to twenty hours, which gives it a deep and rich flavor.

Extra tip: traditional Slovenian cuisine

I have a great love for home style food and simple, authentic flavors, which is why I recommend Cajnarje, Gostilna Volko, Gostilna Striček, Stari podrum, and Bistro Bombina, along with the simple joy of cooking with family.