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Seven must-try legendary eateries near Bandung town square
From breakfast dishes to desserts, eateries near Bandung's town square park will satisfy your hunger for different culinary experiences.
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Bandung's famous Toko Sidodadi bakery that sells different types of traditional bread. (kompas.com/Reni Susanti)
B
andung never ceases to amaze travelers with its rich culinary scene, especially around the West Java capital city’s Alun-alun (town square) Park that is often used as a meeting point and for events.
Below are some of the legendary eateries one must try when visiting the Alun-alun Park as compiled by kompas.com:
Warung Kopi Purnama
Built in the 1930s, Warung Kopi Purnama is a convenient place for those craving a homemade breakfast.
Located at Jl. Alkateri No. 22, the coffee shop is also interesting as it still maintains its colonial architecture and is adorned with vintage furniture and wall decorations.
Most customers can be found purchasing its famous roti srikaya (bread with coconut custard jam) as the family who run the business make their own family-recipe jam. The sweetness of the jam goes well with a cup of hot coffee brewed with legendary coffee factory Kopi Aroma's beans. The prices for roti srikaya start from Rp 18,000 (US$1.31).
Around a 10-minute walk from the park, the coffee shop is open from 6:30 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Sate DJ
In Indonesia, satay is mostly served with peanut sauce or soy sauce with sliced onions, tomatoes and chili. However, the Sate DJ eatery chooses to serve satay without any sauces.
Located on Jl. Sudirman, around a 10-minute walk from Alun-alun Park, customers can choose from chicken, beef or lamb meat – which is soaked in secret seasonings prior to being grilled.
Patrons may choose one out of the two different flavors available: salty-spicy and less salty, which may remind you of satay taichan (spicy satay dish without any sauces), but the one served at Sate DJ is more savory. However Sate DJ also provides peanut sauce for those craving the traditional. The price for each satay dish is Rp 15,000 for chicken and Rp 17,000 for beef and lamb.
Sate DJ is open from 6 p.m. to 2 a.m.
Wedang Ronde Alkateri
Wedang ronde (glutinous rice flour served with a hot ginger broth) is among Bandung's most sought-after desserts, especially when the weather gets cold. It is also the most popular dish of Wedang Ronde Alkateri, which was established in 1984.
Here, the wedang ronde consists of the large ronde (glutinous rice flour) that has sweet peanut fillings that will burst with flavor in your mouth when you chew it, and smaller non-filling ronde. Patrons can choose whether they want the broth with palm sugar or white sugar -- palm sugar is the most popular though as it gives a savory hint to the broth. Customers can also ask for more or less gingery broth.
Nestled on Jl. Alkateri No. 1, Wedang Ronde Alkateri is open from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. Do note that the place is quite small in size and is therefore usually crowded during the night.
Sumber Hidangan
Sumber Hidangan is among the city's eateries that offer traditional dishes, including ice cream. One of its most popular ice creams, priced between Rp 11,500 and Rp 32,000, is the nougat flavor that boasts a sweet flavor with a crunchy texture coming from the nougat confection.
Located on Jl. Braga, Sumber Hidangan also sells bread and cookies. The eatery uniquely still write its menus in Dutch.
As the place is located in a small alley, those bringing their own vehicles may want to park them in the Braga City Walk area, or visit by foot, as it is only a 12-minute walk from Alun-alun Park.
Toko Sidodadi
This bakery on Jl. Otto Iskandardinata may appear small and humble, however it is actually among the most famous bakeries in Bandung, as it has been around since the 1950s and sells traditional breads.
Among Toko Sidodadi's most popular items are horn-shaped bread with a chocolate filling and the not-too-sweet soft corn bread, with prices ranging from Rp 3,700 to Rp 4,800. People can usually be found lining up in the morning to enjoy freshly baked bread.
Located around a 10 to 15 minute walk from the park, Toko Roti Sidodadi is open from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. from Monday to Saturday, and 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Sunday.
Rasa Bakery and Café
Established in the 1910s, Rasa Bakery and Café is another of Bandung's most famous cafés that still exist today. Located on Jl. Tamblong Dalam No. 15 in Braga, the place serves classic dishes that are influenced by Dutch cuisines, including bitterballen (fried balls of flour and meat) and poffertjes (mini pancakes).
First-timers to the café are recommended to try their ice cream -- with prices starting from Rp 25,000 to Rp 40,000 -- especially the coconut royale flavor that consists of strawberry, chocolate and vanilla ice cream served with assorted fruits in a bowl made of coconut shell.
Around a 15-minute walk from the park, the café is open daily from 8 a.m. to 9:30 p.m.
Bakmi Parahyangan
Bakmi Parahyangan has long been known for its Bandung-style mi yamin (noodles in sweet soy sauce), which use the Kecap Cap Anggur soy sauce brand, bringing the right level of sweetness with meatballs and pangsit (dumplings) served in separated bowls.
What makes bakmi (noodles) at Bakmi Parahyangan special are the various toppings, from thinly shredded chicken to meatballs, beef tripe and dumplings. The beef tripe is chewy and savory, while the dumplings are soft. The food prices at the eatery start from Rp 25,000 to Rp 45,000 depending on the choice of toppings.
Established in 1975 and open daily from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., Bakmi Parahyangan is located on Jl. Dalem Kaum No. 12, only a five-minute walk from Alun-alun Park. (wir/kes)
