JenzCorner

JenzCorner http://www.jenzcorner.com/weblog/ Copyright 2010 Wed, 10 Mar 2010 22:02:49 +0630 http://www.movabletype.org/?v=4.21-en http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/tech/rss The Wang We tried this place last year, but somehow I've forgotten to write about it. The Wang is located at Plaza Lippo Sudirman, at the exact spot where there used to be a Chinese restaurant called Dragon City which served quite delicious Halal dimsum. The restaurant was closed in 2008, but we later heard that they reopened as The Wang, so we decided to give it a try. The restaurant's interior was pretty much the same as before, with its reception area filled with a huge display of shark's fin (we didn't like this as we don't endorse eating shark's fin or any other endangered species). We ordered the usual dimsum menu: fish congee with century egg 32K, siew mai 16K, ha kau 16K, pangsit udang salad 18K, lumpia goreng 18K, pangsit pocai 16K, cheong fan udang 18K, cheong fan cakwee13K, pie ayam panggang 13K, lumpia saus tiram 18K, talas goreng (wu kok) 13K, tan tart 13K and ended it with puding mangga 22K, pudding kacang almond 22K, pudding alpukat 22K, and es lemon sereh 22K. Overall the dishes were quite decent, but it seemed to have lost its old charm, plus the price was quite pricey compared to other dimsum restaurants.

The Wang Casual Dining
Lippo Plaza Podium 1Unit 101
Jl. Jend. Sudirman Kav. 25
South Jakarta
INDONESIA 12920

ph. +62(21) 5204696
fx.+62(21) 5204695

]]> http://www.jenzcorner.com/weblog/archives/2010/03/the_wang.php http://www.jenzcorner.com/weblog/archives/2010/03/the_wang.php Dimsum Wed, 10 Mar 2010 22:02:49 +0630 Ce Wei Last month, we had dinner with my high school friend and her husband at Ce Wei restaurant, Pluit Village (used to be Megamal). I've heard about this restaurant since they opened their first restaurant at Wisma Dharmala Sakti several years ago, but I've also heard that Ce Wei is quite expensive, so it wasn't high on our list of restaurants to try. We changed our mind when we saw that a certain credit card had a discount program at Ce Wei. The interior is not really appealing and the lighting is a bit dark, but the restaurant was quite full at dinner time, so we're hoping the food will be good :)

The discount didn't included BBQ items, so make sure you asked first before ordering. So here's what we ordered; we started with tofu and crab soup 26.8K, hot & sour seafood soup 26.8K, and pork & lotus soup 28.8K, then 2 combination bbq platter 68.8K, soft shell crab with salty egg 54.8K, angsio iga babi 68.8K (came with fried man tou), tofu with mushroom 52.8K, stir fried eggplant with spicy sauce 42.8K. Overall it was delicious, I especially liked their softshell crab, tofu with musroom & the sechuan soup. :)

Cewei
Barbeque Restaurant
Pluit Village Ground Floor Unit 60,61,77
North Jakarta
ph. 66670189

]]> http://www.jenzcorner.com/weblog/archives/2010/03/ce_wei.php http://www.jenzcorner.com/weblog/archives/2010/03/ce_wei.php Chinese Cuisine Mon, 01 Mar 2010 08:08:35 +0630 Mama Cafe Last month, as we were having lunch with several friends at Milan restaurant, I read Lita's tweet about coconut rum ice cream at Mama Cafe. I suddenly wanted to try it and since the place was not too far away from Milan, we decided to head there for dessert. Mama Cafe is located at the lobby floor of Mediterania Apartment. It's not big but the atmosphere is cheerful. It's a great place to enjoy Sunday afternoons when there are no smokers around. That day's specialty is kahlua ice cream, so I decided to try both coconut rum & kahlua ice cream, while SC enjoyed his portion of chocolate & rum raisin ice cream. It was delicious and I can still feel the coconut flakes in the ice cream. The kahlua was also great. When we're finished and ready to get home, the owner of the cafe provided us with a generous sample of her new 'local durian ice cream'. When I tried it at home, it tasted superb. The durian taste was smooth but flavorful. I can't wait to return and have some more :)

Mama Cafe
Apartemen Mediterania Garden Shophouse
Tower Bougenville - Lobby Area
Jl. Tanjung Duren Raya
West Jakarta
ph. +62(21) 99 5678 53

]]> http://www.jenzcorner.com/weblog/archives/2010/02/mama_cafe.php http://www.jenzcorner.com/weblog/archives/2010/02/mama_cafe.php Cakes, Bread & Dessert Wed, 17 Feb 2010 14:25:05 +0630 Tian Xi Two weeks ago, we had dinner at Tian Xi, Senayan City. The restaurant is under the same management as Red Duck, with a big sign that said they used no pork & no lard. The place is designed in Chinese contemporary style and it's quite spacious. After thumbing through its extensive menu, I decided to order nasi sapo bebek original tian xi 55K, while SC ordered his usual comfort food kwetiaw seafood siram tiram 43K. The waitress informed us that it would take about 20 minutes to prepare my claypot rice. SC's kwetiaw siram came first. It tasted delicious with fresh seafood. I had a good time helping SC finish his meal. My claypot rice came out on time. It was still sizzling hot, but I liked it. The rice was cooked 'al dente' (not too mushy as I usually found in claypot rice), The oyster sauce was a bit overpowering, but the roast duck & black Chinese mushroom was truly delicious. The meat was succulent and flavorsome. The experience was quite pricey, but I think it was worth it.

Tian Xi
by The Red Duck
Senayan City | Lower Ground (LG) 06-08
Jl. Asia Afrika Lot 19
Jakarta 10270
ph. +62(21) 72781532
fx. +62(21) 72781527

]]> http://www.jenzcorner.com/weblog/archives/2010/02/tian_xi.php http://www.jenzcorner.com/weblog/archives/2010/02/tian_xi.php Jakarta Mon, 15 Feb 2010 15:29:00 +0630 MOF I've been wanting to try MOF Japanese Sweets for several weeks, but couldn't find the right time since we're always too full after dinner to try another place for dessert (yes, we are not that young and adventurous anymore). So, I decided that we should try this place first before having dinner :P The place is not big, but it feels cozy. The menu ranged from Japanese dessert to gelato. They also have several selections of sandwich & bento, though I'm not sure how they're going to prepare that in such tiny kitchen. I ordered Tonkatsu Salmon Sandwich 35K and Chocolate Gelato with waffle 29K. They have several dishes with tonkatsu in their names, but I didn't find any sign of tonkatsu (AKA pork cutlet) in my salmon spread sandwich. Overall, the sandwich was nice. The waffle with gelato was surprisingly good. I liked the texture of the waffle that was thick but still crunchy. The dark chocolate gelato was also delicious, topped with dark chocolate bits and sliced almond. My only complaint was that the portions are too small. Overall, it was quite pricey for dessert. :)

MOF Japanese Sweets & Coffee
Plaza Indonesia Extension L2 #E24, E24T
Jl. M.H. Thamrin Kav. 28-30
Central Jakarta
ph. +62(21) 29923545

]]> http://www.jenzcorner.com/weblog/archives/2010/02/_mof_japanese_s.php http://www.jenzcorner.com/weblog/archives/2010/02/_mof_japanese_s.php Cakes, Bread & Dessert Mon, 08 Feb 2010 22:26:33 +0630 Depot 369 Two months ago, as we were passing Mangga Besar street while looking for a place to eat, I spotted a place bearing a small sign "Depot 369, Shanghai Dumpling & Noodle". It got us interested and we decided to give it a try. The restaurant's interior and ambiance look quite promising, except for the fact that there's no non-smoking section. We ordered a bowl of Mie Kou Rou (noodles topped with soy braised pork meat) 29K. It was delicious. The next time, we went to their branch near Kedoya's Food Hall with a friend and I ordered their Mie Sop Shanghai (Shanghai noodle soup) 40K. It was disappointingly bland, but SC offered to swap my order with his Song Mie (Song noodle) 24K, which tasted much better. I have a feeling that the Mangga Besar branch offered better tasting noodle, so we went back there again a couple of days ago and ordered the classic wonton noodle 21K and Martabak Tiongkok 15K. The wonton noodle was good, but not as good as the Mie Kou Rou. I found the Martabak Tiongkok to be a bit bland, but SC loved it because the spice was not too overpowering. :)

Depot 369
Shanghai Dumpling & Noodle
Jl. Mangga Besar Raya 57 A
West Jakarta
ph. +_62(21) 6594613

]]> http://www.jenzcorner.com/weblog/archives/2010/01/depot_369.php http://www.jenzcorner.com/weblog/archives/2010/01/depot_369.php Chinese Cuisine Sun, 31 Jan 2010 09:56:58 +0630 Siauw A Tjiap While growing up, SC & his family has many fond memories of eating out at Siauw A Tjiap, one of the old school Chinese restaurants in Jakarta. He kept saying about how good their food were. We tried it once last year by ordering take outs from their Taman Ratu branch and the result was disappointing. Some of the food even tasted weird. But still, SC assured me that maybe the old one located at Pancoran would taste better. So last month, as I passed this area, I entered the place and ordered one of their specialties: Lindung Cah Fumak (about 43K) to bring home. This time I was not disappointed, the dish really tasted delicious. The eel was deep fried until crispy and they use some fermented red rice wine in the sauce. I guess I'll be back later for more :)

RM Siauw A Tjiap
Jl. Pancoran No.64 Glodok
West Jakarta
ph. +62(21) 97909853, 081808140033

]]> http://www.jenzcorner.com/weblog/archives/2010/01/siauw_a_tjiap.php http://www.jenzcorner.com/weblog/archives/2010/01/siauw_a_tjiap.php Chinese Cuisine Wed, 27 Jan 2010 23:10:07 +0630 Rakuzen Last weekend, we have dinner at Rakuzen Japanese restaurant at Pacific Place. This is our second visit and this time I wanted to try the nabe menu. After scanning the menu for a while, I decided to order kaisen kami nabe (assorted seafood cooked in paper hotpot) 95K while SC ordered ebi kakiage jyu (fried prawn and vegetables on rice served with miso soup) 65K. The hotpot is presented attractively in a paper-covered metal bowl, with a small burner underneath. The vegetables, tofu, mushroom, salmon, prawn, scallop, and oyster, among others, are placed on top of the paper and poured with broth. As I waited for the nabe to boil over, I sampled some of SC's order. It tasted good, but the kakiage reminded me so much of bala bala (Indonesian mixed vegetables fritter). The hotpot tasted delicious too, with fresh ingredients and tasty soup. Although the prices were quite pricey for those portions, I think they're worth a try. Plus their ocha is free :)

Jakarta Rakuzen Japanese Restaurant
Pacific Place Mall L5-68
Sudirman Central Business District
Jl. Jend Sudirman Kav. 52-53
12190 Jakarta, Indonesia

ph. +62(21) 51400499
fx. +62(21) 51400498

]]> http://www.jenzcorner.com/weblog/archives/2010/01/rakuzen.php http://www.jenzcorner.com/weblog/archives/2010/01/rakuzen.php Jakarta Sun, 17 Jan 2010 22:08:00 +0630 Sop Ubi Jahe "Pancoran" Last week, when I was walking past Pancoran area, I noticed a small sign on the side walk bearing the name "Pancoran - Teddy". The stall offers various kinds of warm dessert such as: bubur kacang ijo, bubur kacang tanah, bubur kacang merah, ubi, jali-jali and telor teh. I remembered that this is one of SC's favorit desserts, so I stopped by and ordered sop ubi jahe 9K and sop kacang tanah 9K. It was delicious, the combination of warm ginger soup with the sweet potato is perfect. The sop kacang tanah is also delicious, especially with the addition of coconut milk.

Kacang Ijo "PANCORAN"
TEDDY
*Food Court Chandra lt.2 - Chandra Building Pancoran - Kota
11AM-7:30PM
ph. 0817 6318 717

*Jl. Pancoran IV (Glodok Pancoran)
5PM - 9PM
ph. 0817 168 148

]]> http://www.jenzcorner.com/weblog/archives/2010/01/sop_ubi_jahe_pa.php http://www.jenzcorner.com/weblog/archives/2010/01/sop_ubi_jahe_pa.php Kaki Lima Thu, 07 Jan 2010 08:52:25 +0630 Nasi Tim @ Bakmi Loncat I'm very picky when it comes to nasi tim, I hated nasi tim that is too mushy or too sweet. So far, my favorite nasi tim is the one sold near Taman Palem's traditional market and Nasi Tim Pasar Pagi. Last week, when I ate at a noodle stall located at Petak Sembilan's market, an elderly patron who sat in front of me ordered a portion of nasi tim and cracked open a boiled duck egg (I suspect he brought it from home). His portion of nasi tim looks very interesting, plus he asked for some chicken skin in his soup, and then put some spring onion and cilantro into the soup. I want that too! Unfortunately, I've already ate a bowl of noodle, which, by the way, tasted good. Later, he told me that the place serves a very delicious nasi tim that will always be sold out by 8AM. The next day, I returned here at 7AM and ordered a portion of nasi tim with some chicken skin in my soup. It was delicious. The rice was not too mushy, the chicken chunks were generous and they also added some Chinese black mushroom. The soup was real chicken broth soup, not MSG-laden soup usually found at noodle stalls. And to top off my excitement, this delicious meal only cost me 11K. :)

PS: their noodle, siomay and bakso goreng are also worth to try

Bakmi Loncat
Jl. Kemenangan Raya
Petak 9 no.27a

ph. +62(21) 9277 0962
hp. +62(812) 816 1441
Operating Hours : 6.00 AM - 12.00 AM

]]> http://www.jenzcorner.com/weblog/archives/2009/12/nasi_tim_bakmi.php http://www.jenzcorner.com/weblog/archives/2009/12/nasi_tim_bakmi.php Rice Wed, 30 Dec 2009 07:59:32 +0630 Bibliotheque

From Tokio Joe, we went to Bibliotheque for dessert. It's said to be one of the new hip places in Jakarta and from what I heard, they have a nice concept. Because we arrived without reservation, I'm a bit hopeless that we can get a table. Luckily, it was still early Saturday night, so the place wasn't crowded yet and we can get a table until 9:30PM. Bibliotheque's interior is designed to look like an old british library with parquet flooring, high ceiling, mezzanine floor, high window panel, complete with bookshelves and ladder covering the wall. They've already put on Christmas decoration and Christmas jazz music played in the background, making the ambience warm and comfortable. Even the restroom looked nice :)

]]> http://www.jenzcorner.com/weblog/archives/2009/12/bibliotheque.php http://www.jenzcorner.com/weblog/archives/2009/12/bibliotheque.php International Cuisine Fri, 25 Dec 2009 05:04:28 +0630 Tokio Joe This is the first time I went to Tokio Joe since they moved from Mandarin Oriental Hotel to Nikko Hotel. When I found out that they offer a 50% discount on ala carte menu for users of RBS credit card, I contacted my friends to meet there. We decided to have an early dinner on Saturday afternoon. When we arrived, the place was quiet since it was still too early for dinner. We ordered green tea 20K, then dobinmushi 49K, mixed mushroom soup 70K, assorted tempura 99K, handsome joe (Tokio Joe's signature fusion sushi which consist of deep fried prawn and avocado) 80K and baked scallops 130K. Overall, the dishes were still as good, although the dobinmushi's portion could've been bigger. The mixed mushroom soup cooked in foil is delicious, but the most delicious thing we had that night is baked scallops. The scallops were fresh and topped with a thick layer of cheese. It was delicious. We didn't order any dessert since we're planning to have dessert some place else. :)

Tokio Joe
Sushi Bar & Restaurant
Nikko Hotel
Lobby Mezzanine 2nd Floor
Jl. MH. Thamrin 59 Jakarta 10350
Indonesia

ph. +62(21) 391 8993
fx. +62(21)391 1094

]]> http://www.jenzcorner.com/weblog/archives/2009/12/tokio_joe_1.php http://www.jenzcorner.com/weblog/archives/2009/12/tokio_joe_1.php Japanese & Korean Cuisine Mon, 21 Dec 2009 16:04:11 +0630 Bakmie Bangka Poppay Last weekend, I was doing some shopping at ITC Mangga Dua and decided to have lunch there. I remembered that someone has recommended a noodle stall called Poppay on the second floor of ITC Mangga Dua. I'd passed this place several times in the past and it was always packed with customers. So we went there this time and determined to wait until we got a table. As predicted, the place was full. We waited several minutes to get a table. From the menu pasted on the wall, we learned that they serve mie ayam bangka, pempek, tahu kok & nasi tim. We quickly placed our orders: bakmie bangka 12K and tahu kok 12K. We have to wait for another 20 minutes until our orders were served. The taste was decent, but not that great to justify the throng of people here. Plus, the service is really bad. I have to nag them several times for our orders. I guess that was enough to turn my mood off.

Poppay
ITC Mangga Dua 2nd Floor Block A No. 118-119
North Jakarta 14430

]]> http://www.jenzcorner.com/weblog/archives/2009/12/bakmie_bangka_p.php http://www.jenzcorner.com/weblog/archives/2009/12/bakmie_bangka_p.php Noodle Thu, 17 Dec 2009 16:30:04 +0630 Bihun Siram Picis Not far from Nasi Ulam Misjaya, there's a small place bearing the sign PICIS. I remembered that someone said Picis is famous for its burung dara goreng (fried pigeon). However, I also heard that the price for that delicacy is unreasonably high, so I didn't dare to order it. Instead, I ordered a portion of bihun siram to take home. A portion of bihun siram cost about 30K, also quite pricey, but I think it was worth it since they put in some prawns, meat, pork's liver and intestines in the topping. The rice noodle was cooked until it was a bit burnt, then they cooked the thick soup full of green vegetables and meat. They packaged the rice noodle and thick soup in separate wrappers so I can mix it later when I got home. The aroma was quite fragrant as they cooked and I have high hope for the dish. Yet when I tasted it, I noticed a little sour taste in the thick soup, which is weird for me. The chili sauce was also a bit sour. I'm not sure whether the dish is supposed to taste like that or not, but I didn't like it.

]]> http://www.jenzcorner.com/weblog/archives/2009/12/bihun_siram_pic.php http://www.jenzcorner.com/weblog/archives/2009/12/bihun_siram_pic.php Chinese Cuisine Tue, 15 Dec 2009 05:03:41 +0630 Nasi Ulam Misjaya

Over the past year, I've tasted several kinds of nasi ulam whenever I've stumbled upon them. Yet, none of them was as good as Nasi Ulam Betawi Misjaya located in front of Toa Se Bio Shrine at Glodok area. It opens on late afternoons and is never lacking in customers. One day, I managed to have a bite there. It was quite packed, but luckily, there was an empty table in front of the shrine. I ordered a portion of nasi ulam with semur tahu & salty squid 12K. The rice came in a full plate consisting of steamed rice topped with fried bihoon, sliced cucumber, chopped fried peanut, fried shallot, salty squid slices, semur tahu, drenched in semur soup, topped with kerupuk, emping and kemangi (lemon basil). The taste was delicious and not too sweet. Too bad I didn't spot the chili jar until after I've finished the meal. I bet it would make the dish taste even better :)

Nasi Ulam Misjaya
(in front of Toa Se Bio shrine)
Jl. Kemenangan III
Jakarta

]]> http://www.jenzcorner.com/weblog/archives/2009/12/nasi_ulam_misja.php http://www.jenzcorner.com/weblog/archives/2009/12/nasi_ulam_misja.php Betawi Cuisine Mon, 14 Dec 2009 14:46:16 +0630