Blog Nasi Padang

softthedown

Blog Nasi Padang - Nasi Padang at Garuda Restaurant in Jakarta, Indonesia - Johor ...

Nasi Padang at Garuda Restaurant in Jakarta, Indonesia - Johor ...

Posted: 09 Jan 2014 01:18 AM PST

The unique, only in Indonesia, nasi padang experience is a must try for every visitor to Jakarta or Indonesia.

For our taste of nasi padang, we have to thank our gracious host from Jakarta Tourism Office who brought us to a Restaurant Garuda outlet which is well known for their speciality - nasi padang. Restaurant Garuda has many branches in Medan and Jakarta.

Inside this busy Restaurant Garuda outlet in Jakarta, the décor is basic yet inviting. The air conditioning and bright interior provide customers with a comfortable refuge from the heat as well as traffic fumes and noise outside.

The custom at nasi padang restaurants in Indonesia is to offer the customer many dishes, spreading them out on the table like a buffet. I marvelled at how the waiter effortlessly balanced more than half a dozen dishes on his arms. The customers can eat what they like from the spread and is required to pay only for what they actually ate.

The sole customer (partially hidden) in the foreground of the picture above had 12 different dishes on his table all by himself.

I find this colourful smorgasbord with a riot of aromas, shapes and textures, stimulating and uplifting. It just makes me want to indulge and enjoy life in abundant.

We didn't have the full spread of all the dishes available at Restaurant Garuda as even our large round table wasn't big enough.

Here's just a sampling of what we had.

I love this leafy green vegetable cooked in mildly spicy curry. Commonly found also at nasi campur stalls in Malaysia and Singapore, I will always pick this dish whenever it is available.

Leafy green cooked by dunking in boiling water and served. Another of my simply prepared favourite dishes.

Beef stomach and tendon cooked till tender in mildly spicy curry. Another of my favourite dishes.

Chicken leg in curry. Tender chicken with sweet meat juices in mildly spicy curry.

Chicken thigh skinned, fried till dry and to a crisp.

Canned sardines cooked with chili peppers and garlic halves. A comfort food from generations past.

Beef rendang in Indonesia, the country that invented this classic beef dish, is of course a must try. The irresistible surface gleam from the slick and tacky rendang gravy always makes me salivate - really.

The robustly aromatic gravy hid the caramelised beef which is a thick slab of quite stiff perfumed meat. The slightly moist fibres were deeply infused with curry spices.

New supplies of beef rendang in steel basins were constantly wheeled from the kitchen to the front to top up the fast moving stock on the shelves. Restaurant Garuda's beef rendang were obviously hot sellers.

Beef brain in curry. Soft and dense like lumpy irregular shaped tau kwa (bean curd) with a metallic taste. Not quite my cup of tea.

Restaurant Garuda's sambals were awesome. I love it that the chili peppers were pounded instead of blended or ground. Old style pounding leaves some of the fleshy pulp intact giving the sambal a nice mouth feel.

Thin beef lung slices fried until it is like a keropok (biscuit).

The satay, one of the dishes returned.

Dried fish in the window.

Restaurant Garuda has a popular delivery service. These ladies were busy packing orders the entire time we were at the restaurant.

The small mountain of paper boxes.

A peek at one of the simple packed lunches, ready to go.

One of the delivery bikes standing ready to send the nasi padang packs to hungry waiting customers.

Whenever I am in Jakarta or Indonesia, a nasi padang treat is something I look forward before returning home.

Date visited: 6 Nov 2013

(Acknowledgement: My trip to Jakarta was sponsored by Jakarta Tourism Office and organised by Russell Cheong of Winsemius Consulting.)

Return to home page.

softthedown

Blog Nasi Padang - $7 Nasi Padang - www.hardwarezone.com.sg

$7 Nasi Padang - www.hardwarezone.com.sg

Posted: 08 Apr 2014 07:31 PM PDT

Stomper Sean and his wife was surprised to find out that a plate of Nasi Padang from Lucky Plaza's basement food court cost $7 for fried fish and mussels.

Initially, the Nasi Padang cost $10 together with salted fish.

Said Stomper Sean:

"The stall did not display the prices of the variety of dishes, so my wife initially picked a slice of fried fish, mussels and salted fish.

"When she found out it cost $10, she told the lady to remove the salted fish and asked how much again and the lady said $7, for two dishes!

"$3 for the fried fish, $3 for the smallest portion of mussels and $1 for the rice!

"My wife was very upset so I approached the lady and asked her how does one charge these prices?! It's a food court, besides I think the type of food is also a consideration.

"The fish was tasteless and the mussels were cold. As I walked off, they laughed at us!

"I think Singaporeans would pay top dollar for good food even if it means traveling to an isolated location, however, we should also caution people to be careful with these stalls.

"Sometime later, I got a friend to order the same dishes, and to my surprise it came up to $8.50. Nadi padang now like stock market."

Singapore Seen | This plate of Nasi Padang cost $7 for fried fish and mussels

softthedown

Blog Nasi Padang - nasi padang/indonesian food

nasi padang/indonesian food

Posted: 27 Sep 2007 12:50 AM PDT

Salero Bundo
52-54 Kandahar Street, Kampung Glam
Singapore 198902
Muslim-owned

Salero Bundo specializes in high-end nasi padang. Our Nasi Padang is Authentic, with our receipe originating directly from Padang, Indonesia.
You must try our specialties which includes Ikan Bakar, Beef Rendang and Ayam Bakar.

Free Deserts
When you order any meal, you will get a free desert at no extra cost! You have a choice of either Pulut Hitam or Kacang Hijau.

—————————————
RM Minang house
304 Orchard Road
#02-04 Lucky Plaza
Singapore 238863
HALAL-certified

I it said that the food is much spicier! And they have the famous PADANG green chilli!

—————————————-
Warung Pojok
304 Orchard Road
#03-36 Lucky Plaza
Singapore 238863
Operating Hours: 11.00am to 10.00pm daily
Halal-certified

their food is from all over indonesia such as Medan, Palembang, Jakarta, Surabaya, Solo and Bandung. Click here to know more about their menu!

Oh, and the have the fishcake stuffed with hardboiled egg eaten with vinegar/ soyasauce which i had when I was in Tg Pinang, the name is "kapal selam" (submarine)I think..can be found in this stall…

softthedown

Blog Nasi Padang - Lina Masrina the World Halal Traveller | Nasi Padang delivery?

Lina Masrina the World Halal Traveller | Nasi Padang delivery?

Posted: 30 Dec 2008 12:22 AM PST

If u are too busy with work and has no time to cook or search for one?

Well, fret no more!

They will deliver Nasi Padang right at ur doorstep….

http://makan.com.sg/Menu.htm

Their operating office is at:

Registered Office and Call Centre
No. 61 Bukit Batok Crescent #02-05
Heng Loong BuildingSingapore 658078

Tel : 6344 3681 Fax: 6344 3291

URL : http://www.makan.com.sg/

Enquiry : enquiries@makan.com.sg

Their group of companies:
http://www.makcourier.com.sg/

p.s: I have not tried it yet….

softthedown

Blog Nasi Padang - Nasi Padang at Garuda Restaurant in Jakarta, Indonesia - Johor ...

Nasi Padang at Garuda Restaurant in Jakarta, Indonesia - Johor ...

Posted: 09 Jan 2014 01:18 AM PST

The unique, only in Indonesia, nasi padang experience is a must try for every visitor to Jakarta or Indonesia.

For our taste of nasi padang, we have to thank our gracious host from Jakarta Tourism Office who brought us to a Restaurant Garuda outlet which is well known for their speciality - nasi padang. Restaurant Garuda has many branches in Medan and Jakarta.

Inside this busy Restaurant Garuda outlet in Jakarta, the décor is basic yet inviting. The air conditioning and bright interior provide customers with a comfortable refuge from the heat as well as traffic fumes and noise outside.

The custom at nasi padang restaurants in Indonesia is to offer the customer many dishes, spreading them out on the table like a buffet. I marvelled at how the waiter effortlessly balanced more than half a dozen dishes on his arms. The customers can eat what they like from the spread and is required to pay only for what they actually ate.

The sole customer (partially hidden) in the foreground of the picture above had 12 different dishes on his table all by himself.

I find this colourful smorgasbord with a riot of aromas, shapes and textures, stimulating and uplifting. It just makes me want to indulge and enjoy life in abundant.

We didn't have the full spread of all the dishes available at Restaurant Garuda as even our large round table wasn't big enough.

Here's just a sampling of what we had.

I love this leafy green vegetable cooked in mildly spicy curry. Commonly found also at nasi campur stalls in Malaysia and Singapore, I will always pick this dish whenever it is available.

Leafy green cooked by dunking in boiling water and served. Another of my simply prepared favourite dishes.

Beef stomach and tendon cooked till tender in mildly spicy curry. Another of my favourite dishes.

Chicken leg in curry. Tender chicken with sweet meat juices in mildly spicy curry.

Chicken thigh skinned, fried till dry and to a crisp.

Canned sardines cooked with chili peppers and garlic halves. A comfort food from generations past.

Beef rendang in Indonesia, the country that invented this classic beef dish, is of course a must try. The irresistible surface gleam from the slick and tacky rendang gravy always makes me salivate - really.

The robustly aromatic gravy hid the caramelised beef which is a thick slab of quite stiff perfumed meat. The slightly moist fibres were deeply infused with curry spices.

New supplies of beef rendang in steel basins were constantly wheeled from the kitchen to the front to top up the fast moving stock on the shelves. Restaurant Garuda's beef rendang were obviously hot sellers.

Beef brain in curry. Soft and dense like lumpy irregular shaped tau kwa (bean curd) with a metallic taste. Not quite my cup of tea.

Restaurant Garuda's sambals were awesome. I love it that the chili peppers were pounded instead of blended or ground. Old style pounding leaves some of the fleshy pulp intact giving the sambal a nice mouth feel.

Thin beef lung slices fried until it is like a keropok (biscuit).

The satay, one of the dishes returned.

Dried fish in the window.

Restaurant Garuda has a popular delivery service. These ladies were busy packing orders the entire time we were at the restaurant.

The small mountain of paper boxes.

A peek at one of the simple packed lunches, ready to go.

One of the delivery bikes standing ready to send the nasi padang packs to hungry waiting customers.

Whenever I am in Jakarta or Indonesia, a nasi padang treat is something I look forward before returning home.

Date visited: 6 Nov 2013

(Acknowledgement: My trip to Jakarta was sponsored by Jakarta Tourism Office and organised by Russell Cheong of Winsemius Consulting.)

Return to home page.

softthedown

Blog Nasi Padang - Nasi Padang by Rendezvous Restaurant Hock Lock Kee | Cze Char ...

Nasi Padang by Rendezvous Restaurant Hock Lock Kee | Cze Char ...

Posted: 15 Mar 2014 01:30 AM PDT

Posted by czecharboy on March 15, 2014 in Food, Food Photography, Nasi Padang, Rendezvous, Restaurant Review, Singapore |

Rendezvous Restaurant, now located at the Central, has been around for more than 70 years and is synonymous in Singapore with Nasi Padang. When I reviewed Samy's Curry at Dempsey, I mentioned how Samy's was one of the restaurants I grew up with – Rendezvous was another. Lunch at my grandparents' place was a weekly affair, and Rendezvous was often the preferred choice of da pao.

When I was younger I was always curious as to how the restaurant's name came about and I recall that the only other time I had heard the word "rendezvous" being used was in The Empire Strikes Back during the scenes where:-

(a) the rebel base on Hoth was being evacuated and Princess Leia made the announcement to evacuate and meet at the rendezvous point; and

(b) Wedge Antilles tells Luke he will see him at the rendezvous point right before Luke gets into his X-Wing, leaving Hoth.

I finally found the answer to that question today, when I read the synopsis of the restaurant's history on its website, prior to writing this review. It's rather simple actually (and in that sense elegant), but the name arose because the restaurant (previously located at Bras Basah Road) was a frequent meeting point for British troops stationed in Singapore. It's strange, I've been eating there for more than 20 years and only now understand this fun fact.

But I digress. This is after all a food review isn't it? Well, I like writing food reviews like this because there isn't much to say when the food is this good. I'll admit, and I think many old-timers (hahahaha) would agree, that the standard of the restaurant's nasi padang has somewhat dipped in the past couple of years, but the fact remains that it is still the best nasi padang around. Period. There is no close second in my opinion, at least in Singapore (and no, the one at Zion Road doesn't hold a candle to Rendezvous, at least to me – that one's closing at the end of this month by the way). So even if standards have deteriorated, it really doesn't matter. If you want to eat the best nasi padang in Singapore, then the choice is clear: Rendezvous Restaurant at The Central.

Onto my recommendations of the die-die must try dishes.

The Beef Rendang

Oh where do I begin. Thick, savoury rendang hides chunks of slow-cooked beef which absolutely melt in the mouth. Black sauce and rice is a must.

The Chicken Curry

This is one of the dishes the standard of which, in my view, has somewhat dropped. The curry gravy is still distinctive as it s addictive, but the consistency of this dish is somewhat lacking. It used to be core favourite, but I now exclusively prefer the beef rendang. Still, this is defintiely a must try.

Hard-Boiled Egg with Sambal

The photo really doesn't do this dish justice – amazing! The only problem is a tendency to overcook the egg (you know this happens when a grey film forms around the yolk) but who really cares when the real gem is the sambal?

Sayur Lodeh

Not really a "must have" – rather a "good to have". The base is extremely sweet and lemak; very Indonesian in terms of its taste profile, but lacking that crucial x-factor….which I can't quite put my finger on. It can't fight with the genuine article in Indonesia but for the life of me I can't identify why. More research (i.e. eating) needed!

All in all, Rendezvous is still one of my favourite places to eat and if there was one dish I would single out, it would be the beef rendang. Generations of Singaporeans have patronised this restaurant with good reason and if you haven't tried it before, then I'm really jealous because it's just like a great book which you're yet to read. You'll be hooked from the very first bite.

All images captured with the Ricoh GXR & GR A12 50mm f/2.5 Macro and the Leica M (typ 240) & 35mm f/1.4 Summilux ASPH (FLE).

← Assembly Coffee @ Evans Lodge Dinner at Alkaff Mansion Ristorante →

softthedown

Blog Nasi Padang - Cheap hawker food – the reality behind politicians' Facebook postings

Cheap hawker food – the reality behind politicians' Facebook postings

Posted: 31 Mar 2014 05:56 PM PDT

Following the debacle over Member of Parliament (MP) Baey Yam Keng's posting about having paid S$3.00 for a meal of nasi padang and a cup of bandung in December, Deputy Prime Minister Teo Chee Hean is being questioned about his Facebook posting about a S$1.80 chicken rice.

On 29 March, Mr Teo posted the following on his Facebook page [you can still see it here].

The posting seemed to have originated from a member of his grassroots' Facebook page belonging to one Ng Cher Pheng:

Mr Teo had added in the location of the stall – Pasir Ris – which sold the meal at that price.

Mr Teo is one of the MPs for Pasir Ris-Punggol GRC.

Following his posting, some started to question if it was true – that the chicken rice meal costs only S$1.80, reminiscent of the doubts over Mr Baey's claim over the nasi padang meal.

Website TR Emeritus (TRE) decided to investigate and visited the stall on Monday, 31 March. [Read the report here: "A sad story behind $1.80 chicken rice in DPM's GRC".]

It reported that it was true that the chicken rice meal costs S$1.80. However, this was a "promotional price", something which both Mr Teo and Mr Ng did not mention in both of their Facebook postings.

TRE took a photo of the banner at the stall announcing the promotion:

Moreover, the hawker told TRE that he had actually been running his business in Tampines Central previously but had to move to Pasir Ris because of the high rental.

"[Because] of the ridiculous rental which keeps increasing at Tampines," TRE says, "he had no choice but to close shop and move to Pasir Ris."

TRE reports:

"At the moment, the rental of his stall at Blk 446 is still manageable.

"However, he is concerned for his business. He told TRE, "This is lunch time now and you can see how big the crowd is." Indeed, although there were people buying his chicken rice, the crowd was not that great despite the promotional price of $1.80 a plate.

"When asked how long he is going to keep his chicken rice promotion going, he sighed, "See lah"."

TRE criticised Mr Teo and Mr Ng for not being "close to the ground" and for not ascertaining the facts of the matter before making those postings online.

"Rather than trying to score political points by touting cheap food in his constituency, DPM Teo should go and talk to the hawker to find out if there is any story behind it. This is what it means to "stay close to the ground". If he is too busy, he should dispatch his grassroots.

"But then again, his own grassroots leader, Ng Cher Pheng, instead of finding out more about the story behind the $1.80 promotional price, quickly put up a Facebook message, "Lunch only $1.80 @Blk446", to inform DPM Teo about it without mentioning that it is a promotional price in the message."

In Mr Baey's case, he had explained – after his posting has caused a furore – that a "staff had recognised me that day and out of respect for my work and service in the community, charged me only $3 when it was more than $4."

Still, many were not convinced and continued to question why he did not originally seem to know that such a meal would not cost S$2.50.

The two episodes, however, have thrown up a deeper issue which has come to the fore in recent weeks – how high rental for food outlets are forcing stalls to close.

While the Pasir Ris chicken rice stall is trudging on, Mr Baey will no longer be able to eat at the nasi padang stall. It has since closed down due to high rental, reported the press.

Ironically, in December, while Mr Baey was posting about how cheap a meal of nasi padang was, foodcourt chain Banquet was reported to be closing down. Part of the reason was high commercial rents.

Insing reported:

"Commercial rents have largely risen across the board, and especially within shopping malls, and even more so for food-related businesses.

"When your lease is due for renewal and the mall landlord decides to squeeze you for more, how many more bowls of fishball noodles do you have to sell to cover that increase?

"If even a large foodcourt operator such as Banquet struggles to manage these costs, what chance do small independent F&B businesses have?"

In March, the famous nasi padang restaurant at Zion Road, River Valley, announced that it will be closing down on 28 March 2014. Again, one of the reasons cited by the owner was high rental.

"The landlord said that he can ask me to leave with just three months' notice," the restaurant owner said. "So maybe he has a better deal with other people."

He disclosed that the landlord had raised his rental by S$1,000 – to $11,000 a month. [See report here.]

Even the Hai Bin Bishan Prawning business was compelled to close due to the high rent imposed by its landlord, Nature Park, as TOC reported in September. [See report here.]

Its rental was being hiked by 300 per cent:

TOC reported: "Mr Wang Huiqing, the person in charge at the Bishan branch, said that the landlord gave an offer of $110,000 to renew the rental of the shop inclusive of the coffeeshop just beside it. Previously, the rental of the whole site which includes the prawning pond and the coffeeshop, was charged a monthly rental of $43,000."

Thus, the bigger issue here from all these stories – including those of the Pasir Ris chicken rice stall and the closure of the "S$2.50" nasi padang stall – is how rentals are killing the small businesses, and this is what Mr Teo, Mr Baey and Mr Ng should be more concerned about.

How many other small businesses are struggling silently just to keep their heads above water?

Blog Nasi Padang

Thursday, 24 April 2014

Blog Nasi Padang - Nasi Padang at Garuda Restaurant in Jakarta, Indonesia - Johor ...

Blog Nasi Padang - <b>Nasi Padang</b> at Garuda Restaurant in Jakarta, Indonesia - Johor <b>...</b>

Saturday, 19 April 2014

Blog Nasi Padang - $7 Nasi Padang - www.hardwarezone.com.sg

Blog Nasi Padang - $7 <b>Nasi Padang</b> - www.hardwarezone.com.sg

Wednesday, 9 April 2014

Blog Nasi Padang - nasi padang/indonesian food

Blog Nasi Padang - <b>nasi padang</b>/indonesian food

Tuesday, 8 April 2014

Blog Nasi Padang - Lina Masrina the World Halal Traveller | Nasi Padang delivery?

Blog Nasi Padang - Lina Masrina the World Halal Traveller | <b>Nasi Padang</b> delivery?

Monday, 7 April 2014

Blog Nasi Padang - Nasi Padang at Garuda Restaurant in Jakarta, Indonesia - Johor ...

Blog Nasi Padang - <b>Nasi Padang</b> at Garuda Restaurant in Jakarta, Indonesia - Johor <b>...</b>

Thursday, 3 April 2014

Blog Nasi Padang - Nasi Padang by Rendezvous Restaurant Hock Lock Kee | Cze Char ...

Blog Nasi Padang - <b>Nasi Padang</b> by Rendezvous Restaurant Hock Lock Kee | Cze Char <b>...</b>

Wednesday, 2 April 2014

Blog Nasi Padang - Cheap hawker food – the reality behind politicians' Facebook postings

Blog Nasi Padang - Cheap hawker food – the reality behind politicians' Facebook postings

Thursday, 24 April 2014

Saturday, 19 April 2014

Wednesday, 9 April 2014

Tuesday, 8 April 2014

Monday, 7 April 2014

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