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Ika Natassa and her five favorite eateries
In her books, Ika Natassa likes to include the names of real-life local dining establishments to arouse her readers’ curiosity and make them head over to their favorite character’s stamping ground to try the food. The following are the five establishments that are closest to her heart, and her tummy.
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A food enthusiast takes a picture of her food prior to tasting it. (Shutterstock/File)
I
ka Natassa has penned quite a few renowned novels, including A Very Yuppy Wedding (2007), Divortiare (2008), Underground (2010) Antologi Rasa (The Anthology of Feelings) (2011), Twivortiare (2012), Twivortiare 2 (2014) and Critical Eleven (2015). Antologi Rasa and Critical Eleven are set to be adapted to the big screen.
In her books, Ika Natassa likes to include the names of real-life local dining establishments to arouse her readers’ curiosity and make them head over to their favorite character’s stamping ground to try the food. The following are the five establishments that are closest to her heart, and her tummy.
Miramar
Topping my list of most-loved Indonesian restaurants, Miramar serves Minang-Malay cuisine, and my favorite dishes here are ayam bakar (grilled chicken) and ikan gurame bakar bumbu Miramar (grilled gourami with special Miramar seasoning).
Jl. Pemuda No. 11 ABC, Medan Maimun, Medan, North Sumatra
Open daily from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Marco Padang Grill
This is my preferred place to dine whenever I’m in Jakarta, because the food here suits my taste buds to a T. I always go for its nasi sayo, which is a rice set with curry, serundeng (spicy fried coconut flakes), rendang sauce, sayur lodeh (vegetable in coconut milk soup), crackers and sambal (chili). I always ask for a piece of the savory ayam goreng kering (deep-fried chicken) and extra crackers to add to my meal.
Plaza Indonesia, Jl. M. H. Thamrin No. 28-30, Central Jakarta
Contact: 021 2992 4290
Open daily from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Batagor Kingsley
Never have I visited Bandung without stopping by Batagor Kingsley. It serves the best batagor (fried fish dumplings in peanut sauce) and siomay (steamed fish dumplings and vegetables in peanut sauce) ever, despite – or maybe because of – its limited menu, which consists of just those two dishes.
Jl. Veteran No. 25, Bandung, West Java
Contact: 022 420 7104
Open daily from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.
(Read also: Fall in love with these traditional snacks)
Ketoprak Ciragil
My first encounter with Ketoprak Ciragil was when I was still working at an office in SCBD, Central Jakarta. I fell in love with its ketoprak (rice cake, rice vermicelli, vegetables and tofu in peanut sauce) instantly. I always ask for a telur dadar (omelette) to be thrown in to my order. My deep fondness for this simple-yet-heavenly dish has led me to include it in a scene for my novel Critical Eleven.
Jl. Ciragil II, Block Q, No. 24, Kebayoran Baru, South Jakarta
Contact: 0856 6515 6117
Open daily from 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
Pondok Indah Hospital Cafeteria
I know this may sound unusual, but yes, a hospital’s cafeteria has made it onto my list of dearest eateries. Almost every menu item at this place is delightful, and I always make time to drop by for a meal if I have to see a doctor at this place. I have so many favorites here – from its popular bacang (glutinous rice with filling wrapped in bamboo leaf) and the heavenly nasi uduk komplit (steamed rice cooked in coconut milk) with peanut sauce and ayam goreng (fried chicken) to the many nibbles that are available at the eatery, including its panada. (kes)
Jl. Metro Duta, Kav. UE, Pondok Indah, South Jakarta
Contact: 021 765 7525
Open daily from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Explore more about Indonesian cuisine here
