Ayam Penyet President

Craving for some good Ayam Penyet and luckily there is this popular chained restaurant selling Indonesian Cuisine. They are known for their succulent and well marinated famous Ayam Penyet served with addictive spicy chilli that will give you a gastronomic experience.

Ayam Penyet President

The default item that patrons will order, Smashed Fried Chicken aka Ayam Penyet. Their Signature smashed fried chicken cannot go wrong for their business name has been giving this name a big weightage. Chicken was crispy and served with fried crispy crumbs too. Fragrant and best of all, tender on the inside. It is served with Tofu, Tempeh, and their signature chilli paste.

Ayam Penyet - $6.90

The Grilled Chicken which is also known as Ayam Bakar was grilled to perfection. The sweet tasting layer coated their Signature grilled chicken was served with grilled tofu, tempeh, slice of cucumber and tomato. The tender chicken was already good alone by itself. It comes with cut chili in black sauce, however if you like to have additional firey kick for the meal, dabbed them into their Belacan Chilli.

Grilled Chicken - $6.90

The Grilled Beef is also known as Empal Bakar. The portion of meat was grilled and marinated with spices that gave a hint of sweetness. The meat was quite tough for me. This dish is served with grilled tofu, beancake and black sauce.

Grilled Beef - $8.90

The chicken did not include rice. You can pair them with either the pure white rice at $1 or this Yellow Fragrant rice. The portion of the rice is big and the strong tumeric fragrance can be smelled from a distance. The plate of rice is served with shredded eggs, sliced beancake dish and cucumber. 

Yellow Fragrant Rice - $2.20

For those who need soup, it is free flow and self-service over at the counter near the kitchen. Those it was tasty, they tasted quite peppery.

Soup Self Service

The Indonesian Salad aka Gado-gado that I always cand go without if they have such an item on the menu. The dish consist of rick cake served with crackers and steamed vegetables with peanut sauce as dressing.

Gado-gado - $6.50

There is so many favourite items and one of them is none other than their Tahu Telor. Its Indonesian style beancurd omelette is garnished with beansprouts, sliced carrot and sliced cucumber. These items are served with rich peanut sauce

Tahu Telor - $6.50

Avocado Juice has always been my favourite choice in an Indonesian eating place. They are known for its high level of fats in which 60% are monosaturated fats and these are beneficial to lowering blood pressure and protect against heart disease. 

Avocado Juice - $4.90

Cravings for a good Ayam Penyet meal were satisfied by our trip to JCube.

Rating: 3.5 / 5

Ayam Penyet President
Location: JCube, 2 Jurong East Central 1, #01-05 Singapore 609731
Website

Bebek Goreng Pak Ndut

Ever since "Tomato" eatery closed down, we were wondering what will be the next stall coming up in Westgate from Capitaland. Not long after, we realized that the usual place has been converted into Halal dining space, Bebek Goreng Pak Ndut which claimed that they serve authentic Indonesian food and all their sauces were imported directly from Indonesia.

Gado-Gado is one of my favourite Indonesian dishes. This Indonesian Salad is mixed of slightly boiled, blanched or steamed vegetables, tomatoes, potatoes and hard-boiled eggs drenched with sweet and savoury peanut sauce. A handful of crackers were added too.

Mixed Vegetable (Gado-gado) - $6.50

Ayam Penyet Original is marinated in a savoury blend of secret spices and deep-fried. Though it was said that its juiciness was well maintained. I find that it tasted quite dry after a few months. The dish was served with tofu, tempeh and a side salad, not forgetting their powerful chilli that gave an extreme fiery kick to the chicken.

Original Smash Fried Chicken + Rice - $7.90

For the healthy goers, you may want to order the grilled chicken rice (Ayam Bakar). The chicken was grilled with Indonesian sweet soya sauce. It's juicy without being too oily and had a pleasant smoky flavour. This dish is served with tofu, tempeh and a side salad.

Grilled Chicken + Rice - $7.90

Luckily we ordered some drinks to pair along with the rice. The drinks were definitely not the usual taste we would get from stalls. Lime Juice as well as Ice Lemon Tea were not too sweet and had a subtle fragrance in them.

Iced Lemon Tea and Lime Juice Cold - $2.20 Each

If I happen to visit them again, I will like to try their fried duck.

Rating: 3 / 5

Bebak Gorent Pak Ndut
Location: Westgate, 3 Gateway Dr #B1-11, Singapore 608532
Nearest Station: Jurong East (NS1 / EW24 / JE5 )
Website

Warung Ijo

We often come across vegetarian restaurants but I thought Warung Ijo is special as they are serving Indonesian Cuisine in Vegan.

I was thrown with a surprise when I saw swing seatings in Warung Ijo. Luckily we were early and had made reservations, thus we were given the priority for the choice of swing or the barrel sofa seatings.

Swing

After some discussion, we prefer the swing seatings to the cushion seatings.

Barrel Sofa

While my friends were looking at the menu that was plastered all over the stretch of wall near the entrance, I was occupied by the nostalgic looking wall that had an old school bicycle hanged on it and an old radio with cassette tapes onthe shelf.

Nostalgic

The swing artwork was made from ice cream sticks and quite unique on its own. However, this is to bring the message across to diners who are seated at the swing area not to swing and bang onto the table and pillars.

Decor on Table

Wow! Be surprised that their Lime Juice was not made up of the usual small calamansi limes and instead, they are making use of the kaffir lime. The aroma and refreshing citrus smell were so inviting and a little sour from the fruit had made this drink perfect.

Lime Juice - $4.90

We started with the Fa Cai Yu Sheng since its Chinese New Year is around the corner. They taste similar however they do have their in house special "Golden Crackers". Since its the year of Rat, we have placed our plate in the shape of Mickey Mouse.

Yu Sheng - $19.90

"Orh Luak" aka Fried Oysters was crispy and had the texture of oysters although mushrooms were used.

Orh Luak - $9.90

As Petai lovers, this dish was yummy! Petai were cut into quarters and fried together with vegetarian sambal. Best of all, it was not oily and tasted as good as non-vegetarian ones.

Sambal Petai - $9.90

One of my favourite Indonesian dishes, Gado Gado. Generous with home made peanut sauce and topped with crackers. As we were occupied with taking pictures and enjoying other dishes on the table, the crackers got soaked too long in the sauce thus some of it lost its crispiness. Therefore, it is recommended to consume them fast.

Gado Gado - $8.90

Tahu Telor is presentable, topped with shredded cucumber and placed on a green leave. The use of Kecap Manis made the fried Tahu tasted great, however, we still find that there was still something missing from this dish. Perhaps the use of shredded cucumber was not enough.

Tahu Telor - $8.90

Fragrant and the slab of fish was covered up with creamy curry and vegetables like long beans as well as brinjal. Fish was fried and soaked in the not so spicy curry. The meat was quite tough, nonetheless, we still enjoy the dish, scooping up the gravy, pairing them up with our plain rice.

Gulai Fish - $15.90

If I did not know that I had entered a vegetarian eating place, I might have mistaken these sate as the real stuff.

Satay Padang - $9.90

Although our tummy was almost full with the sumptuous dinner, we could not bear to leave the place without filling ourselves with their Avocado smoothie. The Avocado smoothie comes in 2 variations, either with chocolate or with gula Melaka. The lady who served us mentioned that each cup was made up of one avocado and even offered us more chocolate or Gula Melaka if we find that its too creamy.

Avocado Smoothie - $5.90 Each

Service was friendly and the quality of food was laudable. The environment was comfortable and feels at home. I had a pleasant experience and every vegetarian restaurant visit will throw me some surprises. Even though I love exploring new places, I do not mind making a return for vegetarian food at Warung Ijo.

Rating: 3.5 / 5

Warung Ijo
Location: 337 Beach Road, Singapore 199565

Pempek Blok 3

Special Thanks to the local friends who brought us here. We would not have tried any traditional Indonesian Cuisine if not for their hospitality. Although there are a few chains, this place was recommended for its environment, not too crowded as compared to the ones in the malls.

Pempek Blok 3

Blending into the Indonesian Culture, we have their popular Avocado Chocolate Milk. Unlike from Singapore, their version was thicker and taste alot different.

Avocado

The weather is hot and one of us had ordered Chendol. It tasted more towards the coconut milk side though.

Chendol

Pempek is a Southeast Asian Fishcake delicacy. It is made up of fish and Tapioca. Often served with rich sweet sour sauce named Kuah Cuka or Kuah Cuko. Topped with slices of cucumbers and meat floss, the Fishcake Omelette can be served as a good dish to served among friends.

Pempek Lenggang (Fishcake Omelette)

The dish reminds me of Singapore's version "Indian Rojak" which "Rojak" also literally means "Campur. The difference is that items were made with real mackerel fish, they have egg wrapped with Pempek and this entire Savoury Fishcake Delicacy is from Palembang.

Pempek Campur (Savoury Fishcake Delicacy From Palembang)

Indonesia's style of Gado Gado, a kind of Vegetable Salad with peanut sauce coupled with some crackers. A dish that I will always order while in Indonesia.

Gado-Gado (Vegetables Salad with Peanut Sauce)

The Traditional Yellow Rice with Fried Spring Chicken was served in a basket decked with grease paper and banana leaf. Ayam was nicely fried and chilli was powerful, giving a good spicy kick. Crackers and diced Tahu come together in the meal.

Nasi Kuning Ayam (Traditional Yellow Rice with Fried Spring Chicken)

Grilled rice, the traditional way of preparing rice wrapped in leaf. At least it ensure diners that the rice is still kept warm until we releases the heat by opening the packet.

Nasi Timbel Bakar Ayam (Empal) (Traditional Fried Chicken / Beef Set with Grilled Rice)

It can be ordered with chicken or beef set. Its a simple and straight forward meal that comes with a bowl of vegetable soup.

With Rice Packet Opened

While one of the hosts enjoyed his lunch with a bowl of Mie Ayam aka chicken noodle and it comes with a bowl of soup filled with leafy greens.

Mie Ayam

This place should be easily accessible if you order a Taxi or Grab Car in Batam.

Pempek Blok 3
Location: Jalan Blok 3, Lubuk Baja Kota, Lubuk Baja, Kota Batam, Kepulauan Riau 29432, Indonesia

The Stone Cafe

Looking through the numerous of Cafes recommended through online research, we had planned our dinner place ahead at The Stone Cafe, one of the unique Cafes known for its view and scenery during dining.

Menu

Stone Cafe is situated in uphill areas that allow diners to dine in a village ambiance with stones and bamboo decors in gazebos, so you can at least forget that you are from the city.

Gazebos

Since it was raining and we are dining in large groups, we headed to the main dining area with tables and chairs. Given its style of furnishing, it looked like any typical Indonesian Restaurant with Wood as the main theme.

Dining Area

To our surprised our driver mentioned that Bandung are mostly rainy through the seasons and we could not get much view from the cafe during then.

Night Scene out of the Restaurant

 Street lights were rather dim and since it was a place with stones and slopes, we did not have the chance to move around the much.

Streets looking out of the restaurant

 Staff was professionally dressed in their uniform.

Waitress

With Indonesia timing 1 hour difference from Singapore, we were already very hungry when we visited the place ~ most of us were dining out of the usual dinner hours. The milk shakes were lovely with chocolate love letters.

Strawberry and Vanilla milk shake

Whereas honey lemon was elegantly decorated with a slice of lime and Avocado Shake was served with whipped cream.

Honey Lemon - 28,000 IDR & Avocado Milkshake

Sate Ayam Meal was more straight forward and a basic introduction to Indonesian / Sundanese food I felt. There were a couple of chicken satay served separately apart from the plate of steamed rice, peanut sauce, pickled vegetables & melinjo / shrimp crackers.

Sate Ayam - 49,000 IDR

Sauce on the satay makes them seems more glossy and yummy. The charred satay sticks were good even if you were to have them alone.

Chicken Satay

Perhaps the signature dish that takes after the Cafe name.  The meal was elegantly served in a plate that resembles a painting palette with holes containing sauces, fruits and sides. Interesting.  Fried rice was spicy which reminds me of "Nasi Goreng Kampong" and was served with fried egg, chicken satay and melinjo / shrimp crackers.

Nasi Goreng The Stone - 58,000 IDR

Even though my throat wasn't feeling that comfortable to consume any spicy and fried food. I'm left with no choice but to comply to the situation as Indonesian food are mostly spicy and heaty. Anyway, this Traditional Sundanese food is well worth the experience. The steamed rice was wrapped in leaves and was spicy with petai as ingredients. It threw a surprise to me as I thought my rice suppose to be plain with no additional items. Other items like fried chicken, bean curd, vegetabkes and anchovy chips were placed on the wooden tray. Chicken was well fried and if you are expecting meaty and plump chicken, this kampong chicken may disappoint you. On the contrary, I felt safer in eating Kampong chicken and if you need additional kick to your meal, dipped them into the chilli sauce given.

Nasi Raos Komplit - 75,000 IDR

Food was an average fare but it was a good experience travelling out from the usual city areas. Given the weather to be good and in day light or even blue hours, I bet that the place will be nicer.

The Stone Cafe
Location: Coblong, Bandung City, West Java, Indonesia

Pagi Sore

A wonderful suggestion from my pal to have some Indonesian cuisine next to Telok Ayer Street. From words of mouth, Pagi Sore is noted for its ala carte styled restaurant with fusion of chinese cooking style and authentic Indonesian flavours.

Pagi Sore

Dining Environment is big with classic Indonesian style furnishing in majority wood theme color.

Environment

Dining in a group of 4 we were advised by the staff on duty to take up their package for 4. Set meal consists of starters, seafood, meat, vegetables, dessert and beverages.

Decorations on Wall

These starters are the classics of what an Indonesian Restaurant served! They were placed on every reserved tables contained in a wood woven little basket with dolly paper at its base absorbing the oil. Sambal Belacan chilli was all wonder complemented well with cripsy crackers and wasnt too spicy on my tongue. :)

Sambal Belacan and Keropok Barinjau

Rendang Sapi (Beef Rendang) was tender and burst full of flavours with every piece of it coated consisently with its sauce.

Beef Rendang

Shortly after our orders, default drinks, lime juice, for the table of 4 was served. It was rather sour cup of drink but was good as it aids in washing down the spiciness from those authentic Indonesian flavoured dishes.

 Refreshing Lime Juice

When it comes to set meal, free flow of rice is offered. They were presentable, each wrapped to triangular shape in banana leaves, freshed cut and steamed together to infuse the fragrance.

Rice in Banana Leaves

White Rice

The stir-fried kangkong with spicy shrimp paste gave a good crunch. However the amount of chilli paste was not consistent and was too bland from our ideal dish.

Tumis Kangkong Belachan

Fresh leather jacket fish was steamed to perfection that you can feel its fine and tenderness flesh coated under the savoury rich and smooth Otah-based gravy. The level of spiciness is indicated by 1 chilli on its menu which depicts the minimum spicy level. This is the must have signature dish!

Ikan Otah Kukus

Lovely deep fried bean curd with egg was the scene stealer. A tower packed full of tofu and eggs, it was make perfect by its accompanied sweet black sauce. A simple cut into them broke these wobbly egg tofu apart, revealing its hot steaming interior. Looking at the egg nests and the steam emitting, I did really drools over them!

Tahu Telor

Bali style barbequed chicken was tantalizing! Its charred color on its skin with a sweet tasting smoky goodness, yet packing with juiciness from its boneless thighs. Yums!

Ayam Bali

Indonesian Styled Curry Chicken is indeed different from the chinese style. Curry was mild with its unique style added with potato and chicken chunks. Though curry may looks orange, it was not that spicy.

Ayam Gulai

Had the fresh blended avocado topped with shaved ice with a little spat of gula melaka sweetening the taste. My meal ended well with desserts soothing the heat soring stomach.

Alpukat Gula Melaka

Other than the Avocado dessert, one may also get to choose chendol too. Just like the Alpukat, its soothing to the body system washing down the spicy dishes.

Chendol

Bali Sore is definitely a good place to gather if you are craving for some spicy Indonesian food to heat your stomach up. However the location maybe a little bit difficult to reach if you are coming from Raffles Place MRT Station due to many constructions sheltered ways had been built and are rather misleading. Another pet peeve we had was its narrow dining space though the restaurant was big to spread out the number of tables from the consumers, they had clustered all tables in just one area which makes walking along the aisles difficult.

Service may be a little abrupt and slight disappointing at times but overall, Pagi Sore still score slightly above than the average.

Rating: 3.5 / 5


Pagi Sore
Location: Far East Square, 45 Pekin St Singapore 048775

Website