February: Around Jakarta

Today's post is gonna be the Around Jakarta series. I used to post this kind review under the title "Dimana-mana Makanan", just upgraded it into English so it can reach non bahasa user --> go international!

Let's start the yummy stroll patients :)

First one we got Bakso Afung. A legendary bakso (meatball) stall, sprawling across Jakarta. The pontianak style bakso charaterized with super yummy beef broth, thin meatballs, scallions and garlic oil makes this particular meatball stands out. The meatballs are served in a bowl of hot broth, usually with beef inards and noodle/kway teow on the side. One of my favorite comfort food hehehe

Now we got this vegetarian pesto pasta from Ideas in Streel Gallery Pondok Indah. A delicate and elegant dish, very appropriate with u gals in diet. The pasta is al dente with smooth and sophisticated taste and fresh ingredients. Price is on the high side though.

Next is Indonesia's favorite noodle, INDOMIE. Yes I mention the brand and no I wasn't endorsed by the company. This is from Tovas, a small street stall selling indomie and roti bakar (toast) in setiabudi area, just beside Four Seasons Hotel and Aston Hotel. The toast is off the hook and the Indomie is to die for.

Last is Marutama Ramen. Their ramen for me is one of the best in Jakarta. Despite the hugely popular Hakata Ikkousha or Ikkudo Ichi, Marutama is in another class. Their place exudes elegance and exclusiveness. Not like the quee-for-one-hour place, with wooden small chairs and the waiters yelling every 5 seconds. The broth is silky smooth yet savory, the pork is tender and flavorful. Not to mention the noodle, springy and soft at the same time. Put more of those fried garlic to add some spark in your bowl

That's it for now, see u guys aroud.

Mie Lontar Bangka

Today's post is gonna be a short post due to my utmost laziness in doing anything in this public holiday. BUT since one of my new year resolution is blog and share more yummyness to you patients, I'll try my best to write this one.

As you guys know already, Mie Lontar is Bangkanese noodle. Actually... I didn't pay much attention to what kind of noodle I'm eating. All I care was yucky or yummy noodle :p BUT lately, I've been appreciating the different kinds of noodle in Indonesia.

Quick noodle lecture from me, I divided noodles in Indonesia into several categories. First is local noodle. Local noodle is the noodle cooked and sold by non-chinese Indonesian. The noodle is usally thin with blackish chopped chicken mixed with chicken innards, fried shallots and a great amount of cheap chili sauce on top. Usually eaten in a form of soup by pouring the soup into the noodle bowl. This kind of noodle is usually halal (doesn't contain pork) and sometimes accompanied by beef meatballs or pangsit (wonton).

Next is Indonesian Chinese noodle. This kind of noodle is characterized by the use of pork (meat, innards or just the fat/oil) Of course, this is my fave kind of noodle because of it's unbeatable yummy comfortness and the sweet super appetizing scent of pork fat. This noodle is usually sold by chinese and sold in chinese populated area in Jakarta (MK, Pluit, Gading, West Jakarta, Kota, etc)

The third one is the original chinese noodle, sold in numerous high end chinese restaurant across Jakarta. Usually the noodles are thin to medium, no pork and tastes a bit bland. Into this category there are some great noodle such as lamian from Paradise Dynasty or Imperial Kitchen.

 Tahu Kok

The Indonesian Chinese noodle also has many kinds of noodle. Today, it's about bangkanese noodle. From what I gather, mie bangka or Bangkanese noodle is characterized by thin noodle, clean yet fatty taste, the use of fried shallots and minced pork and lime to give a burst of tanginess into the noodle. Usually served with wonton and tahu kok (another Bangkanese food, a meatball soup contains fish ball and fish tofu)

Mie Lontar has them all... Good consistency noodle (not too springy) thin but not too thin that u feel nothing after eating the noodle, oily enough so you won't be needing lipgloss afterwards and fragrant shallots to lock the palate. I don't have many reference in Mie Bangka since my neighbourhood isn't exactly the place where Bangkanese resides but I can assure you Mie Lontar Bangka is a must try!

Another great dish is their Nasi Campur. The usual hainam rice mixed rice with roast pork, chicken and pork satay. Their touch is the Bangkanese Roast Pork. A bit different from the usual roast pork, bangkanese roast pork has some condiments slathered on top. The taste is a bit sweet and savory, super yummy!

Nasi Campur

 Choi Pan

Chinese snack, it's like steamed triangle risoles filled with thingly sliced bengkoang and ebi (dried shrimp)

U Yen

Another chinese snack, deep fried thin sliced yam, usually seasoned with ginger and garlic

Location: Muara Karang, Blok 6 near Permai School
Rating: 7.5/10

Pangkep 33

Another post from Pluit/Muara Karang area.. Pangkep 33!!!!

For you seafood lovers, I bet Pangkep 33 is no stranger. Serving makasar style seafood, this place has many loyal fans including Ms. Ratu Lebah. When I asked her about which seafood place is her fave when we were dining in Bandar Djakarta a couple of weeks ago, she instantly screamed PANGKEPPPP #lebai

The new Pangkep 33 has moved to a new place in Pluit Putra Raya. Easy direction, the road from Emporium Pluit Mal leading to Pluit Village where Jakarta Fruit Market and Harvest exists. Occupying what I think is actually a house, the place is ordinary. A big house converted into a restaurant that pays minimum attention to ambiance and comfort.

Talk no more and let's dive into the yummy seafood...

1. Ikan Aji Bakar Rica (Grilled Aji Fish Rica Style)

YUMMYLICIOUS!!! The fish has no fishy smell at all. Grilled into perfection, minimum moisture. Great texture, a bit softer than mackarel but not not too crumbly. Basted in chili, rica style which literally blow your tongue away... Spicy goodness.

2. Cumi Goreng Mentega (Stir Fry Squid in Butter Sauce)

Another winning dish from Pangkep 33. Small squids stir fried in margarine and oyster sauce... Salty and sweet at the same time, the squids are cooked perfectly they bounce around inside you mouth when you bite them.

3. Kerang Bambu cah Tauco (Razor Clams with fermented bean sauce)

The razor clam is fresh and huge! The fermented bean sauce needs a little more salt to give a punch to the buds. The clams is chewy and spicy, fresh chewy and juicy not ewww chewy. The chili helps give layers to the one dimensional salty fermented beans and the ginger minimize the weird clam smell.

4. Kangkung Terasi (Stir Fried Morning Glory with Prawn Paste and Chili)

Another classic.. Well executed but not the best. The morning glory somehow feels not fresh... Missing the crunchyness of a perfectly cooked morning glory.

Although I live near all these seafood places, I rarely dine there. Mostly because IMO,seafood is expensive. I love good seafood but I think seafood in Muara Karang is a bit expensive. Surprisingly, for all of the above plus rice, es campur and ice tea, I only spent around 250K. Well, those can feed up to 4 people right? So it's not that expensive :) Recommended!

Rating: 8/10
Location: Pluit Putra Raya, Jakarta

Beautika

Back to Jakarta patients!!!!

Holiday is over and I am so so so sad :(  But life must go on and tummy has to be filled. Meet Beautika, a perfect example of no pain no gain.

Beautika is a reputable manado restaurant in Central Jakarta. I've known this place for a few years but haven't been a loyal customers since lately. Pluit/Muara Karang area is not exactly where Manadonese people live so it's kinda hard to find a good Manado restaurant here. The one that i actually good, called Rampa Rampa is coming to an end I think.

I wouldn't blabber much in detail since basically this place serves BOLD, SUPER SPICY, YUMMY and AUTHENTIC Manado food. My fave would be the shredded cakalang rica (I think the name is rabe rica) One fucking spicy and yummy dish. Shredded smoked cakalang (blue fin tuna) buried in aromatics and chili. LOVE LOVE LOVE it

Another quality dish is their Ayam di Buluh, more aromatics than chili but still spicy to the max. Combine it with the rabe rica, resulting in chili high and a guaranteed multiple trip to the rest room.

The dessert are great too although a bit expensive. All of them are high quality Manado traditional cakes, greatly influenced by the Dutch when they Invided Indonesia hundreds of years ago.

Nougat Cake

Salad Buah

Last but not least, beware! You've been warned, spicy alert.

Rating: 8/10
Location: Hang Lekir, Jakarta (In front of Moestopo University)