MARTABAAAAAKKKK...!!! [authentically indonesian]

Indonesian Comfort Sinful-treat.

Calling all Indonesians living here in Singapore as i'm writing this sweet note. For all of you who've been craving a good taste-of-home martabak, seriously try this one. Looks so similar yet SO DIFFERENT from local peanut pancakes. #YouKnowWhatImTalkinAbout and if you're looking for those happening flavours -- red velvet, oreo, kitkat, ovomaltine, etc -- you've seen your friends took pics of back at home, guess what? they have em here as well! [20cm pan size -- Share the calories, ya!?]

Be it your comfort-flavour or insta-worthy visual [which i believe is awesome as well], heads up to @pancakeboss_sg at Bugis Cube.

*ps: they even have my all-time-hometown-fav corn-cheese martabak -- which i can't find even in Jakarta -- will definitely come back for this.

More Pics:

Our order: 

Boss Combo [Peanut x Choco rice x Cheese] // S$9.00 // Pancake Boss [instagram] // Bugis Cube [04-15] // Nearest MRT: Bugis

네네 치킨 NENE Chicken at Bedok Mall.

HOLAAAA...!

In today's post I will talk about this korean chicken fast food chain restaurant: NENE Chiken. Yup it's like "yes..yes.. chiken". After passing by their outlet couple times at bedok mall, I finally decided to give it a try. 

After hearing their explanation to the customer in front of me, I learnt that - if you're buying a set - after you choose your set [basically the part of chicken and the portion], you get to choose your sauce, starter, sides, and drinks. <3<3

The initial plan was to try thier boneless chicken set, turns out they ran out of it, so...sure! i'll try the one with bones. [did I mention it's cheaper? Yasss.. Score!!] XD.  I choose Set Meal [2 pcs - $7.90], Freaking Hot sauce [cause there's a lil 대박 written there], Corn Salad as starters, Buffalo Sticks as sides, and Orange Juice. I did asked the cashier for recommendation, he said their fav sauces was Swicy and Freaking Hot. *smirk*

Buzzz...buzz.. and there's my food, ready to pick. 

How hot can a Freaking Hot sauce - in singapore - be, right? Or that's what I thought. As a spicy eater + Indonesian [dunno if it helps :p] i'm quite confident with my 'heat' resistance. After I took the tray, took out my cam, and was busy taking pics of my food. Then "why don't take an in-hand pics?" so i lifted the chicken with my [gloved] hand. once i put it back, and wanting to take my glove off to keep my cam before i officially start eating. that's when i lick the sauce as i'm taking off my glove. kinda anticipating just how hard it will kick me, when suddenly it went BBBAAAMMM! Turns out they're not kidding nor bluffing when they decide the name. BURNING HOT. So hot i need to scrape down the sauce, and still finish the whole cup of orange juice and salad on my first piece.

If you're wondering if it was a good meal.. it was. the chicken was quite nice in a sense that it's not dried up and even with the sauce covering you can still taste the crunchy - fried chicken - skin. The salad was nice as well...I mean it was corn and sliced crabsticks mixed with mayo.. so unless you're very unlucky, then it'll be bad. The other thing i need to mention is the Buffalo Sticks. it was aweeesssoooomeeee.... not sure if they have it here in singapore, but i think it tasted quite similar to A&W's Curly fries back in Indonesia. Like some seasoned fries which actually seasoned before they fry it [i think]? 

So overall, i liked it. Most probably will come back. To all of you spice-lover out there. You might wanna try this, and tell me what you think. 

To all Moslem friends, this one is Halal!

Here's some pictures:

The Menu
Not sure why they don't have the corn salad written there but yeah..it's there. New menu - perhaps?

The Set
2 chickens, 1 salad, 1 fries, 1 drink, 1 plastic-disposable-glove.

Buffalo Sticks

Star of the night: THE CHICKEN ITSELF!!

It was ssssooo hot i can't finish it.
It was the first time i didn't finish a fried chicken because it's hot [spicy].

NENE CHICKEN

website | instagram | facebook

The Star Vista // Bedok Mall // *SCAPE // The Seletar Mall // ONE KM

That's it for today! Do check out my instagram for more updates. :)

Bali Shot-Getaway

Hi all..!

I decided to go ahead making this blogpost after randomly open my blog and surprised by the number of pageviews! i was like wuaaaaaaa..! i'm not sure where all this pageviews from [most probably from instagram] but thanks!

Anyway - last week, I went to Bali for the 2nd time in my whole life. Best part is I was there only for about less than 48 hours. So this post will cover some of the things we [yup! i meet some of my colleague-friends there] do to sieze the precious Bali-Experience.

So, we all went to Bali for a good reason: attending one of our colleague's wedding. Thank GOD it was on saturday, so uuu-yeah...we got 1-extra-day to so called explore bali.

The Wedding

It was my first time attending such wedding. It was SSSSSSSOOOOO BEAUTIFUL. [Thanks Frans and Yessie!] A private wedding held at The Asmara Luxury Villa, Nusa Dua - Bali with only 6 tables, super romantic decorations, very good music, and of course - great food. It's like no-strangers kinda feeling? i mean since the groom and bride personally knows all the invitee, i think it'll be more meaningful for both of them. [when all weddings you've attended was so big - some of the invitee not even care of the event itself, you get amazed.]

I was grateful enough I can make it on time for the 2nd session. [eventhough it was dark by then so i didn't get to see the beach and the entire 1st session of the wedding]

so here are some pics!

Dat coaster is their invitation - it was designed by the bride herself. How lovely is that???

tryin' to catch some photos from my seat was a bit... challenging?

With da Bride!

There were LOTs of foods, but silly me - I only took this one.
[and it's my first time trying this thing. pretty good!]

We-fie wif da bride!

You can't leave ugly-face behind, can you?
[ps. love this shot!]

The Holiday

After a good night sleep at The Swissbel hotel rainforrest. Here comes the morning..! And yessss..some of us decided to get ourself a lil bit of more of what bali can offer. Since we only have less than 12 hours. We got ourself a local tour-guide, a car, and a driver to help us ticking our list.

1st: Surviving 'Pia Legong' queue.

If you don't know what it is, you might head up to their web here, but then it's in Indonesian, and if you're indonesian most probably you've heard it cause it's incredibly famous...
Soooo... ok i'll try my best, to make it simple - it's something like a round shaped pastry with generous fillings, comes in 3 filling flavours: Cheese, Chocolate, and Mungbean (green bean). Personally i LOVE their cheese, runner up is the chocolate, and i think the other one is just like the least favourite.

This outlet is rather interesting [some of you might heard of the rumor] cause apparently each person can only buy 2 boxes. [period] you can't even re-queue and buy another 2 boxes. [I actually witnessed a guy who's trying to re-queue, turns out the employee recognised him and not letting him to buy more. how awesome is that?] So if you're planning to buy in bulks, you might wanna consider pre-ordering. It's not the one-day-ahead pre-order. it's more like 1-2 weeks ahead!

How to order? according to the website, there are only 2 ways to do so: 1st is to come to their store [which is a bit impossible if you're a tourist] - 2nd is to order by phone at:+62 8118 77777.

YASSS!!! Survived the queue!
it was quite intimidating to see how many people q-ing. but turns out it's a quick one..!

2nd: Indulge in local delights.

When in Bali - Eat Suckling Pig [Babi Guling in indonesian]. [they say]
We've heard of the famous Babi Guling Ibu Oka, but instead of going there, our local tour guide recommend us to try the less-touristy one [and perhaps more local-choice] called Babi Guling Gianyar "Warung Pande Oka".  

As mentioned on my instagram post, we were there around 12pm something, and they're finishing their 3rd whole-pig by then. o.o

Babi Guling Gianyar "Warung Pande Oka" idr.50K [est. S$5] veggies not included.
you can order the one with the toppings being put together with the rice for a cheaper choice [idr.35K]

Apparently i'm not a big fan of suckling pig. it's not that it wasn't nice, it's just not for me, i guess.

3rd: SPA

SPA in Bali, sounds perfect, isn't it? yeaahh.. we think so..! So we requested it to our tour guide, and he made a reservation at Bali Orchid Spa, and even get us a special price for the package! a short review: the massage was sssssssooooo good! really.

Orchid Lulur Package - 2Hours for only idr.400K [u.p. US$70]. YAY!!

Unglam explosion before spa.

Ginger tea! [not sure if it's complimentary or included in the package] 

playing OOTD cause it seems artsy. [apparently i fail XD]

4th: Domba Coffee Factory

Oh! so you call yourself a coffee-lover?
Did you know there are male and female coffee bean?
Did you know that drinking 1 to 3 glass of coffee a day is good for your health? [strictly NO SUGAR]
Did you know .... .... ....

The thing is, we learnt a lot in the factory, and it was a really good experience. We even get a free coffee! thanks to mr. tour guide for adding this into our list!

preparing our coffee-testing session

Coffee from male coffee bean, known to have zero acidity. EXTREMELY bitter, in a good way.
[the only not-good part was the price]

Mandatory proof-shot! XD

5th: ICE CREAAAAMMMM

Finaleeeeehhhh it's time for the famous gelato in town: Gusto Gelato. We [or rather I] have heard of it, and we're not missing it! paid our visit to their outlet in Bali, and as expected. it was awesome!

We ordered The Cone - idr.24K [each came with 2 scoops of gelatos of your choice]

You know when you go into a gelato place and they have like A LOT of flavours and even though you can only have 2 scoops on your cone, the best thing is you can try as much as you want!
Guess what we found there? CHOCOLATE CHILI FLAVOUR. know what? I TRIED and IT WAS GOOD! first you can only taste the rich chocolate flavour, and just when you're about to say it's not spicy at all, THEN the chili raise and be like U-UH.. HERE I AM. #lol

After a good session of "can i try this" and "what about that one", we finally made up our minds and choose our 2 scoops.

Happy Troops! 

Cheers!
Strawberry sorbet ✖ Snickers // Chocolate ✖ Mascarpone crunchy chocoChoco-avocado ✖ Stracciatella // Crocante ✖ Mint choco

Mine!  Choco-avocado ✖ Stracciatella

6th: Dinner

Again, as per our tour guide's recommendation, we had our dinner at Warung Sunset for more pork delights. This time, it match me! i was like "this is more like it" Personally i really...really...really recommend the crispy pork belly. Say no more, let the pictures do the talk.

'Iga Bakar Madu' / Honey Pork Ribs
Half Slab - idr.135K++

Crispy Pork Belly
idr.120K++

Crispy Pata [Pork Knuckle]
idr.160K

And that's pretty much the end of our 1-day-bali adventure.... headed back to the airport, and went back to singapore.

oh wait! there's some more

At a random paddy fields to catch the sunset, but ended up taking some unglam frames instead.
cannot even see the sunset! 

Lastly, a we-fie with our friendly tour guide and driver at the airport

Don't forget to check out my instagram @anthony.ali for more update! Thanks.. :D

---

Pia Legong // www.pialegong.com

Jl. By pass Ngurah Rai, Ruko Kuta Megah 15 Kuta-Bali
Phone: +62 8118 77777
Opening Hours : 9am - 3pm

Bali Orchid Spa // baliorchidspa.com

Jl. By Pass Ngurah Rani No 108 Suwung - Kauh - Kuta Bali - Indonesia
Phone: +62 361 8831319, 8473338, 8841999
Mobile: +62 81 337 007778
Fax: +62 361 8473365
email: info@baliorchidspa.com
Opening Hours: 9am - 11pm

Domba Coffee HQ // domba.coffee

Jl. Mertanadi II No. 77 Abian Base, Kuta, Bali 80361, Indonesia
Telp: +62 361 4727268 / +62 361 4727269
Mobile: +62 851 00421164
Fax +62 361 4727267
email: one@dombacoffee.com

Gusto Gelato Caffe // gusto-gelateria.com

Jl. Mertanadi No. 46B, Kuta Utara, Badung, Bali 80361, Indonesia

Warung Sunset // warungsunsetbali.com

JL.Sunset Road Boulevard, Kuta - Bali
Phone: +62 361 894 7322
Mobile: +62 81 338 926 821

Spiced-Up

Tadaa!!!
The long waited new post! [As if i have loyal readers yet] *LOL* *tears*
I'm back after a loooong~ loooong~~ while. (i guess the word "a-bit" i used in my previous post wasn't that "bit" enough)
[Many things happened during that 'while'. You-don't-wanna-know.] *sigh*

Anyway, this one is for you who loves indonesian food. I mean indonesian-famous-spicy

So there is this not-so-new restaurant called "spesial sambal" [you know spesial = special. While sambal literally means grounded chilli pepper]. 28 kinds. Your choice. *lovestruck* i love peppers.

Ok, back to the review.
So i came here with my church-buddies with hungry tummies -- it was the fasting-day. and guess what? we were put in the waiting list. Hmm... the good thing was we got to place our orders while waiting.

Yes! they're that packed.

A little while after, it's our turn..! *yay!!* and were told to go upstair - the second floor and wait for our orders to be prepared. 

2nd floor - we get to sit on the floor.

minutes later - after a good cup of 'teh manis anget' [sweet warm tea. Warm sweet tea? Whatever. You get what i mean, don't you?] and a simple-mix-fruit-platter,

Mix Fruit [watermelon, pineapple, and honeydew] - idr. 4K

here are the main courses :

'Sambal Pete' - idr. 6K

Jamur Goreng [Fried Mushroom] idr. 10K

Cumi Goreng Tepung [Fried Calamari] idr. 9K // Pete Goreng [Fried Stinky-Beans] idr. 4.5K
Telur Dadar Gebal Gebul ['gebal-gebul' omelette] idr. 5.5K // Ca Kangkung [stir fried water-spinach] idr. 5.5K
Sambal Terasi Matang [cooked shrimp-paste 'sambal'] idr. 2.5K // Lele Goreng [deep fried catfish] idr. 7.5K
Tahu Goreng [Fried Tofu] idr. 7K // Sambal Bawang Ijo idr. 2K

I was surely hungry. *LOL* 

From what i see, they mainly serve javanese-indonesian food. nothing fancy, but considering the price - totally worthy. 

See that green thing in my 'sambal'? Today's highlight.
It's called "pe-te" / "petai" here in indonesia. [no! Not peter - pete. Nor the one you see in mickey mouse]

Googled it, and i guess some english speaking country call it stinky beans. Don't get the wrong idea, it's not stinky like a 1-week-old-socks. It's just not for everyone. Just like durians, some people love them dearly, others hate them. But if you happened to visit indonesia, you should really try 'em. Its ridiculously healthy too! [Google "stinky beans health benefits"] XD

It was a good dinner. A good-cash-friendly-dinner.
Honestly? It wasn't our first time tho. We were satisfied, so we came back, and will surely coming back AGAIN.

I mean, did you see those motorbikes?

Taste : ● ● ● ● ○
Price :  ● ● ● ● ●
Service : ● ● ● ● ○
Parking : ● ● ○ ○ ○

Price : 20 - 50K / person

find their nearest-branch  to you at http://waroengss.com/branch/index?q=jogja

i visited one of their jakarta's branch at Jl. Tanjung Duren Barat I no.29 

Spesial Sambal | www.waroengss.com

Regards,

Anthony Ali

Taiwan-Indulged

Yeap!!
I'm back with another delicious restaurant to review..!

So this place i'm about to show you is definitely somewhere in my fav-restaurant-list. Located in Pantai Indah Kapuk - a kinda new [around 2 years now? i think] place where a lot [yeah! A-VERY-CRAZY-LOTS] of youngsters hanging out. A part of Jakarta where you'll find it hard to drive around weekend. [you'll literally see a 4 rows road became a tiny little 1 row. yeap, they're that packed.]
from Cafè(s), Bars, Dessert Restaurants, Milk Tea(s), Chinese fine dinning, Family Restaurants (Indonesian - thai - taiwanese - western - japanese - korean  -you name it. they have it all. And they have LOTS of them.), food court, to Supermarket. You can even find a traditional market there. Just bear with the traffic, and the crazy-hard-parking part. :'D.

Aaaa! did i mention that the majority of people here is chinese [not to be racist, but this is what my friends told me : "PIK is somehow like the chinese version of Kemang (a famous youngsters hangout district in South Jakarta).]

anyway,
in the midst of all these hangout place packed with youngsters. There's this place where our seniors would LOVE to be.

T2 Taiwanese Tea & Coffee

Why seniors? is it that old that no youngsters are meant to be? the food? the atmosphere? hmm...
honestly? i have no idea. it's just i rarely see youngsters hanging out here.
call me oldies, but i love it here. the foods are such a darling to my tastebuds.
[My mom LOVE it here as well]

the semi-outdoor

indoors. See? told ya! Seniors. ;D 

Turquoise Tea. not really an everyday tea, right?

So i came here with my mom and my sista!
Here are some menus we ordered :

Menu No. 801 Taiwanese Mee Sua.
idr. 35K

look at that! Mee Sua topped with minced pork, fried anchovies, and soft-poached egg (it usually visible, but...)

No. 859 Taiwanese Go Hiong
idr. 30K

No. 863 Fried Enoki
idr. 21K

No. 868 Taiwanese Seaweed Popiah
idr. 40K

This one is a new-comer to the menu and guess what??? THIS IS GOOD!
RAW Jicama + Carrot + Cucumber + delicious crunchies rolled with lumpia skin (chinese spring roll) and seaweed.
lookin' at the ingredients, i suppose it's kinda low-calorie..so, make sure you try this on your visit. 

For you who have this chinese-porky-taste-bud. I would really recommend to visit. they have BUNCH of pork in their menu. From side dish to main course.

And of course when you hear "Taiwan", it's the desserts and milk tea! :9
in the menu, T2 offers various kinds of drinks [by various i mean around 92].
Classify them into 7 groups :
1. Special Tea Series
2. Fresh Tea Series
3. Milk Tea Series
4. Smoothie Series
5. Cocoa or Coffee
6. Fresh Milk Series
just like other tea / milk tea place, you can also request your preference of sugar and ice levels and add your favorite toppings. They're offering Bubble, Aloe vera, Jelly, Grass jelly, Glassy Jelly, Pudding, Coconut Jelly, Rainbow Jelly, Coffee Jelly, Adzuki Beans, and Popping Ball.

sounds ordinary ?

we ordered Signature Milk Tea (Less Sugar, Less Ice) with Grass Jelly + Coconut Jelly
COUPLE SIZE (look how big it was compared to my hand)
idr. 41K

Here's the couldn't-found-in-other-place part : by adding idr 8K to your drink, you can upsize it to the couple size. which i find crazy big, three of us - we can barely finish it.

Estimation : idr. 50 - 70K / Person.
[it was idr. 222K for the 3 of us.]


T2 - Taiwanese Tea & Coffee
Rukan Cordoba Blok D no. 12,
Pantai Indah Kapuk (PIK), North Jakarta.
(+62)21-5698-3313

Branch :
Ruko Green Garden Blok I9 no. 21-23,
Jl. Panjang, West Jakarta.
(+62)21-581-5230 // (+62)21-580-9923


See you in a bit! :D
Best Regards,
Anthony Ali
@anthony.ali