Strong Foodie · About me
The man behind Strong Foodie. I eat everything, tell everything, honestly and without filter.
Who I am
Merdan Koc
Food reviewer & creator
I'm Merdan Koc, born and raised in the Netherlands, but my heart belongs to food. For as long as I can remember I've been fascinated by restaurants, not just the food, but the atmosphere, the story behind a dish, the people who make it.
Strong Foodie started as a personal project: I wanted to keep track of which places are truly worth visiting and which aren't. No fake reviews, no sponsored content. Just honest opinions.
I've now visited over 62 restaurants across 6 countries, from the Netherlands to Turkey, the USA, Thailand, the UAE and Aruba. Every place tells a story, and I share that with you.
Along the way, Strong Foodie grew beyond just restaurants. I now also review hotels to stay in, bars and cafés for a good drink, shops worth browsing, museums and culture spots, and gyms and spas to stay in shape, all with the same honest, no-nonsense approach.
By the numbers
0
Restaurants visited
0
Hotels reviewed
0
Drink spots reviewed
0
Shops reviewed
0
Culture spots reviewed
0
Health spots reviewed
6
Countries visited
0
Sponsored reviews
My mission
The food world is full of sponsored content and fake reviews. Restaurants pay for good scores, influencers get free meals in exchange for positive posts. That's not how I work.
I always pay for my own food. I visit restaurants anonymously. And I tell you exactly what I think, even when it disappoints. Because you deserve honest information before spending your evening (and money) somewhere.
Values
Honesty
No sponsored content. No paid reviews. I say what I think, even when it's negative.
Passion for food
Food is culture, connection, adventure. I don't eat to eat, I eat to discover.
From local to worldwide
From a croquette on the corner to a fine dining restaurant in Dubai, everything is worth it when it's good.
Work together
Do you have a restaurant or hotel that's truly worth visiting? Send me a message. I'll come by, taste it myself, and if it's good, I'll write an honest review.
Send a message