Hidden in plain sight: Chef Kelvin Lin's Hidden Gem is a foodcourt like no other
In the heart of Rotterdam’s harbour, Chef Kelvin Lin is leading a culinary revolution with Hidden Gem, his latest venture that redefines the food court experience. Set inside an industrial building with striking black steel frames and floor-to-ceiling windows, Hidden Gem is a pop-up restaurant and what Chef Lin calls Foodcourt 2.0. I had the honour and privilege to get a sneak preview of the dishes that will be served.
Chef Lin has assembled a diverse crew of chefs to showcase their talents with one unifying goal: creating extraordinary dishes, each capped at just €15. The young chefs took on the challenge, and the results were amazing. The care, love and attention that was put into each dish came through in every bite, elevating the flavours and making the experience truly enjoyable.
Chef Lin serves his classics under his handle Mama Q, named after his mom. First up was a beautiful Thai-style dry tom kha kai, served with cassava and Koppert Cress micro-herbs.
His ravioli langoustine laksa lemak was inspired by the wholesome Nyonya flavours of Singaporean and Malaysian cuisines. A generous dumpling filled with a Japanese Tiger shrimp, packaged in a soft, paper-thin dumpling wrapper had the perfect bite. I was so in love with this dish. The flavours of the laksa soup transported me straight to the hawker stalls of Singapore.
Once again, the dishes highlighted Kelvin's unique ability to fuse traditional flavours with modern techniques, setting the perfect tone for the rest of the meal.
Next, Selin Altuntas, who specializes in Turkish cuisine with her catering company Mimoza, takes guests on a journey back in time to the Ottoman empire. She served çiblir, or Turkish poached eggs and a slow-cooked lamb shank, braised in cinnamon and apricots. Each bite was like taking a peek into the history of traditional Ottoman cooking.
Emiliano Giorgi, known as the Ris8tto Chef, whose Italian food is inspired by his family’s recipes, started off with a beef tongue toasted mini-sandwich, served with a dollop of fresh salsa verde.
His lasagna was a layered presentation of hearty, flavourful meaty goodness. Though the dough was a bit thick, it added a rustic charm that felt authentic and homely.
Emiliano also delivered a refined carrot mille-feuille, blending comfort with elegance.
On the pizza front, Niels Zijde of Pizza Roffa served a sourdough pizza topped with truffles and Parmigiano cheese. It was out of this world! The dough was perfectly cooked and had that signature sourdough bite. The subtle flavours of the mushrooms toppings, combined with the bechamel and melted Parmigiano, made it a pizza I’d definitely return for!
Finally, we have Terence Keyzer, who partnered with Tijmen Pijnarts under their venture, Tête á Tête. They’re bringing their background in traditional French techniques to modern-day street food, influenced by Asian, Mediterranean and South-American cuisines.
They first served grilled octopus on a bed of celeriac complemented with an nduja sauce, which gave the dish an explosive touch.
Their hearty main was a beef stew, braised in Guinness and served with mashed potatoes. Somehow, the beef reminded me of Indonesia’s beef rendang. Could it have been Terence’s Indonesian heritage, I wonder…
In summary, it was street food elevated to fine dining, and it didn’t disappoint.
Of course, a meal at Hidden Gem wouldn’t be complete without the perfect drink. Enter Soda Pop Shop, where mocktails and cocktails were expertly crafted by Sietze Kalkwijk. He takes inspiration from 1930s America during the Prohibition era. Zesty mocktails and bittersweet cocktails were served to pair with the rich and diverse flavours of the menu.
Hidden Gem’s concept is simple yet brilliant: guests order via a QR code, and the food is delivered directly to the guests' table. This "Foodcourt 2.0" setup keeps things personal and allows for a more engaging dining experience. With just 49 seats and a communal social table, Hidden Gem is both intimate and lively, striking a perfect balance.
From October 3rd and for the next three months, Hidden Gem will be open from Thursday Sunday, with two dinner shifts: 17:30-19:30 and 20:00-22:30 and open for lunch on the weekend days. With a compact, focused menu, it’s a three-month trial run you don’t want to miss out on. And seats are limited, make sure you get your reservation in on time!
Hidden Gem
Benjamin Franklinstraat 507
3029 AC Rotterdam
Pro tip: Arrive in style via the Rotterdam Watertaxi, getting off at jetty 81 (Keilehaven station) for a unique entry into the heart of the dining action.
For more details and to reserve your spot, visit Hiddengem Rotterdam.
