Category – Good Indonesian Food

Solo: Depot Es Nini Thowong

Fari Febrian — Fri, 27 May 2016 07:00:06 +0000

Besides tasty authentic local food, I was also on the hunt for native thirst quenchers while I was in Solo. It took me to Depot Es Nini Thowong, where I gulped down two of its much-loved creations. Having been in the business for about 36 years, the joint provides a wide range of refreshing concoctions to soothe your sun-beaten physique.
Located on Jalan Arifin in the heart of Solo, Depot Es Nini Thowong actually has a branch in Jakarta on Jalan Cideng Timur. Two shops make up the outlet in Surakarta: the older joint that is smaller in size and a two-storey building across the street. I paid a visit to the latter and ordered its signature Es Nini Thowong (shaved ice with mixed fruits) since nearly all of the patrons there were enjoying this particular dessert.
It comprises boiled banana, cendol (rice flour jelly), green beans, chocolate pudding, sugar palm fruit, lychees, jackfruit, and pineapples – all served in a bowl of coconut milk and shaved ice with sweet syrup and chocolate milk. The mixture uses sweet ripe pineapple, which renders the mix very sugary and with no sour aftertaste.
After devouring this sweet sensation, I moved on to another treat that this shop has to offer: Es Gempol Pleret. Although similar to Es Nini Thowong in that it also comprises shaved ice and coconut milk, it has a different line-up of toppings, which includes jackfruit, gempol, and pleret – the latter two made out of rice flour. The gempol comes in a round shape and has a salty trace in taste, while the pleret is a sweet flat dough. Its overall flavour is a salty-and-sweet affair, enriched by the thick coconut milk.

Jl. Arifin No. 59,
Solo, Central Java
T: 0271 632 611
Open daily from 7am-8pm
Price: Rp.15,000/US$1.10 per person

Banda Aceh: RM Aditya Jaya

Jessicha Valentina — Fri, 27 May 2016 05:00:30 +0000

As a female of the species, calling a dish Ayam Pramugari (stewardess chicken) may sound a tad on the sexist side, but when it’s this good, you just couldn’t care less. The origins of its name stemmed from its long shape – it’s chopped from the top half of the leg – and how it reminds Aceh’s residents of the legs of a stewardess, which prompted them to christen it Ayam Pramugari.
I had just arrived at Sultan Iskandar Muda International Airport and not long after I clambered inside our designated car, my driver-cum-tour guide started raving about Ayam Pramugari – he knew I was there on culinary business – at RM Aditya Jaya. With a name like that, who wouldn’t be intrigued? Since the restaurant is located near the airport, I decided to swing by before continuing my journey to the city centre.
It was 10am when I got there, and the place was still empty. I ordered their two signature dishes – Ayam Pramugari and lamb curry – and then engaged in a quick confab with owner Sofyan whilst waiting for my food to be prepared. I found out that the joint was first opened in 1999 – before the tsunami tragedy that hit Aceh – and he still pulls the strings in the kitchen on a daily basis to maintain the quality of its output.

As soon as my ordered meals were placed on my table, Sofyan asked me to eat them right away as they are best consumed while still hot. At first glance, Ayam Pramugari has a similar appearance to Ayam Tangkap (Acehnese fried chicken) as it is served with pandanus and curry leaves on top – only its long-sized shape discerns it from the province’s pride and joy. Ayam Pramugari tastes as delicious as Ayam Tangkap as well, with the aromatic leaves lending that unique Acehnese flavour to the proceedings. The lamb curry was no pushover too, with its thick gravy reminding me of an Indian curry. When I mixed it together with the rice, a savoury sensation ran through my palate. Only my first stop in Aceh, and it was already a winner – certainly a good indicator of what’s to come for my trip in the Port of Mecca.

Jl. Blang Bintang Lama,
Banda Aceh
Open daily from 10am-6pm
Price: Rp.25,000/US$1.90 per person

Solo: Soto Triwindhu

Fari Febrian — Thu, 26 May 2016 07:00:41 +0000

For me, there are two things that I love about Solo: its plethora of high-grade batik and its multitude of lip-smacking local treats. Despite its modest size, this city is a treasure trove of shops offering enticing delicacies, one of them being Soto Triwindhu with its beef soup.
Founded by Mbah Karyo way back in 1939, Soto Triwindhu is now run by the second generation of Mbah Karyo’s family. Previously located in Ngarsopuro market, it was moved to Jalan Teuku Umar in 2007 after the market had to undergo a major refurbishment. The relocation proved to be a blessing as it now calls the heart of Solo’s most well-known culinary utopia its home.
One of the most unique aspects of this establishment is its furniture, whereby all the tables here are equipped with a box-shaped receptacle with a display window in the centre that stores the selection of side dishes available, including quail egg satay, tempeh, fried tofu and chicken intestine satay. Customers can also pre-order beef tripe to be served alongside their meal. The beef soup itself is a rather simple concoction, consisting of rice, beef chunks and bean sprouts all dunked into a zesty bowl of beef broth. The latter is the crème de la crème of the dish, with its thick and flavourful character lending a refreshing sensation. Throw in a dollop of sambal and a squeeze of kaffir lime and you’re good to go.
Come around as early as you could if you wish to give this dish a try as it tends to sold out even before the shop’s scheduled closing time.

Jl. Teuku Umar No. 43,
Solo, Central Java
T: 0271 646 006
Open daily from 5.30am-3pm
Price: Rp.15,000/US$1.10 per person