Nongshim - Shin Cup at Jakarta

Tuko was so hungry and had no cash on hand. So the only way to survive is to open up the drawer and look for available food. Luckily there's this cup noodle nicely stored in the instant noodle cabinet. And the expiry date is still quite some time from today.

The packaging is nice, better than most of local cup noodle products. Surely there's a few local cup noodle product's packaging can beat this South Korean's product easily. But Tuko is just comparing to the most common to find.

Opening it, the noodle with extra ingredient like dried vegetable, mushroom and shredded pepper are already put together. Unlike some of the local cup noodle have the extra ingredient packed in a separate packaging.


But the seasoning is actually like the local product, being put inside a separate sealed packaging.

So without further ado, Tuko mixed some hot water in. Close up the lid and put a book on top to let it "cooked" up. After 5 minutes, Tuko open it up and found out that turns out the noodle is a little soggy. Seems like 5 minutes is too long. Or maybe the water is too hot. Or is it probably this brand's noodle doesn't need even 5 minutes to prepped.

Ok and then Tuko used own chopstick rather than using the folded fork provided in the package. Stirring it makes the noodle soup really tempting to eat. The color becomes beautifully reddish.

 
 
Well after eating it, Tuko still prefers normal Indomie. This can't beat our local's hero. Tuko doesn't know how much is the price for this cup noodle. But it should be more expensive than the Indomie. Maybe next time Tuko will try and comment on Indomie.

Hermitage - L'Avenue at Menteng, Jakarta

Tuko was strolling the area of Menteng. Not intentionally though. Tuko was on the way back from a friend's wedding reception. After getting out, Tuko mistakenly took a wrong turn and in the end found this intriguing to see hotel. The name is Hermitage.

From the outside it's very nice. The aura of old classic but yet classy hotel remains. And it seems very exclusive since there's not so many cars parking around it. So Tuko decided to try going in and see what's inside.

Greeted by a very nice security guy guarding the gate. Walking through the security check was also being greeted by this polite security guy. On the inside, a nice traditionally dressed girl greeted Tuko and ask if she can help Tuko. So Tuko asked what's the specialty for non staying guest(s) here. She recommended to try the roof top bar. She showed the way on how to get to a quite a walk getting into the elevator.

But along the way we can actually be mesmerized by the glamor of classic design. There's a guy playing a grand piano by the hallway even though there's no bar or restaurant or anything to play for. The guy still plays elegant and passionately.

Reaching the top floor, there's a gym right in front of the elevator. Next on the right hand side is actually the swimming pool and a bar on the other end. The bar's name is La Vue. As the nice girl directed, Tuko gone up the stair next to the swimming pool. And Tuko was so amazed by the view from the top. This is not a high building but than the view was amazing. Jakarta by night, this is something you should all see.

Unfortunately Tuko was a bit late, and it's a full house. So Tuko can't hang out and order something there. Surprisingly even though there's area where bar stool can be put and more guests can sit, but they don't do that. Perhaps this is due to they would like to keep the area less crowded and maintain the nice ambiance atmosphere of the place. Amazing. Because usually any other restaurant will do their best to try fitting in the guest by setting new tables or chairs or even suggesting the guest to stand by the counter.

So tuko went down and go to girl again and ask what else can be done. She showed 2 restaurants facing each other next to the front door. On the right hand side is the restaurant with local food being served. On the left hand side is the restaurant with French food being served.

Tuko went to the French food, the restaurant's name is L'Avenue. The design of this restaurant clearly different from the other one. This has the aura of a fine dining and classy spot. Right after seating, the waiter asked permission to open up and put on the napkin on guest's lap. And then they asked whether is tap or sparkling water to guest's preference. Tuko went for the sparkling. After that they hand the menu.

 Looking at the menu, clearly this can be considered as medium to high class restaurant. Since Tuko just came back from a wedding reception with lots of free food, Tuko went for the dessert. Souffle Aux Agrumes and Valrhona Chocolate Fondant.

The souffle when served was looking really good. The souffle didn't rise really high though. By the time Tuko tried to take picture and getting the right angle, the souffle kind of sunk in and gets as flat as the cup's edge. But the puffiness is still feels so right. Even in the end Tuko can't get a good angle to take picture of. Cause the room's light kind of kept dimmed. Price for the souffle is IDR120,000 or around USD9.60.

And then the choco fondant is also being beautifully presented. The chocolate melts instantly poured out right after you cut out the fondant. The ice cream on the side will cool off the heated chocolate, even though it's not burning hot. The sour cream on around the fondant which was asked by the waiter to be poured by him or to done by ourselves taste so good. It tastes like passion fruit, but Tuko forgot to go ask to confirmed it. Price for the fondant is IDR120,000 or around USD9.60 too.

By the end of the day, the receipt came and Tuko was kind of surprise because the water actually billed into it's IDR95,000 or around USD7.60 each and by the way it's a San Pellegrino. Tuko thought it'll be a complimentary since the waiter asked as if it is. But that's not something to dwell about. Because honestly Tuko really felt good dining there. There's 10% service charged and 11% tax.

Next time Tuko will want to try the Hermitage Lounge, which served the local delicacy and the La Vue. But than please next time remind the guest that the drink is not complimentary.

XGraphics at Bendungan Hilir, Jakarta

Tuko got to rush for a rush work to be printed. The only option came to mind is Bendungan Hilir area which is full of lots and lots and lots of printers. The challenge is to get parking exactly in front of the shop you want to go.

That day Tuko wasn't lucky and had to walk a few shops away. This XGraphics has been one of the most crowded in the area. So let's go for this rather than going to the small ones with questionable quality.

On the inside, the waiting room is not big. Probably can only hold up to 20 people. But it's most probably because of everyone will actually just return to pick up rather than wait up.

The interior design is very efficient. A small L shaped counter for reception, cashier and pick up. There's sample of bindings to choose by the wall. There's books of catalogs for type of paper, cover and so on to choose for your preference. There's gift merchandises to choose if you want to custom your own. There's computer to use for you to log into your email and send document to the printer's email. The room is bright due to many hanging lights being utilized and none spoiled.

If you let say forget to bring flash disk or CD, you can use the computer  to retrieve the file you wanted to print. Like Tuko which didn't bring flash disk, only have memory card. So the only way is that Tuko needs to forward the email which has attachment on what needed to be printed.

The staff there are very friendly and very skilled on editing the files let say the one you brought need a slight editing. After the job is finalized, the staff will tell you how long until it's done. You can pick up later after paying a down payment or full price before leaving.

Tuko returned 1 hour as promised by the staff. And it really is done. The quality is also not bad. Tuko never try to print by himself, but this looks satisfying.

7 Eleven at Roxy, Jakarta

Tuko was in Roxy which is well known in Indonesia as the headquarter for mobile phones and accessories. Whatever you may need as long as it belongs to mobile phone category, you might have very big chance will find it here. Not just finding it but also getting a good price out of it. That's what Roxy is for you.

Tuko got hungry after going round and round in mission to look for car phone charger. So on the way back to car, Tuko saw 7 Eleven. So might as well give it a try.

This probably is the only 7 Eleven that has no second floor. Usually in Indonesia there's always a second floor. And not just a second floor but also chair + tables and ATM Machines. So 7 Eleven in Indonesia has become a hang out place rather than just a convenience store where you come, choose, buy and go out.

The look from inside actually is pretty much the same as any other 7 Eleven.

The difference that in 7 Eleven nowadays they started to offer microwave ready food such as pasta, friend noodle, sandwich, rice, hot dog, katsu, burger and now they have udon. And luckily they are having promotion for the udon.

The call it Doremi (uDOn goREngan MInuman aka Udon Fried Stuff Drink). The discount is also impressive. If what they say is right, you actually will save IDR12,000 or around USD1 for getting the package.

Of course Tuko is taking it. Since now the price is only IDR22,000 or around USD1.76.

The udon is not bad actually. Tuko likes this kind of noodle, which is quite hard. The soggy type of noodle just taste sucks, Tuko can't understand why people will eat such soggy and soft noodle. They combine the dry udon with chopped Chicken Katsu. You can actually choose which type of katsu is to your preference, original or spicy. Tuko choose the original.

For that price and taste, you can actually find somewhere else with better taste or value. But considering this is a convenience store, it's more than enough. Not the reason you'll want to come back for though.

Tuko actually willing to keep coming back to 7 Eleven is because of the melted cheese. You can take as much as you want and it taste good too.

Melly's Garden at Kebon Sirih, Jakarta

The night is young. Tuko still locked from inside, so Tuko can't get back and sleep by now. There's some friends asking and actually forcing to go for a rather new place called Melly's Garden at Kebon Sirih, Jakarta.

So we went there. The place is actually not in the main street of Kebon Sirih, but more like in one of the small streets. Easy to find though. But the problem is that the parking area seems to be very full at the time Tuko arrived. And the security guy actually asked for IDR35,000 or around USD2.80 for the valet charge. Are they insane? That's even more expensive than the one in the malls. But because of we're already there, we'll have to take it.

The entrance door / gate to the bar is actually very small and Bali feels.

This is what Tuko means by the bar on the left hand side and bar stools + tables by the front and right hand side.

These are the open air area. Pretty interesting design with Balinese architectural designs. There are small fish ponds and fountains around the area. The open area maybe can hold up around 50 - 60 people.

Tuko and friends were sitting inside since the outdoor is already full. The inside is the area where they say not supposed to smoke inside. But once you are inside, there are  many people just smoke casually and the waiters just let them be.

So for the start before we even order up, the waiter let us know that within 15 minutes their hourly promotion will be over. The promotion for that time was Balonku Ada 5. It's a bucket with 5 laboratory's glass filled with 5 different type of liquor. The original price is IDR54,000 or around USD4.30. Gone down on promotion to only IDR25,000 or around USD2. Amazing, so tuko and friends order it up.

And then for the food, Tuko ordered Nasi Goreng Melly's and Gorengan Kampoeng. The nasi goreng price is IDR29,000 or around USD2.30. And the gorengan is around IDR28,000 or around USD2.20.

The nasi goreng is just ok. Edible but something Tuko will want to order up again though. There's 2 pieces of fried chicken + shrimp cracker + sunny side up + pickles and normal nasi goreng. The nasi goreng doesn't even taste interesting.

The gorengan is actually combination of 2 fried banana, 2 fried tofu, 2 fried tempe and 2 fried cassava. With a few chilli being prepared to be eaten with if that's what your palate asked for. Among all these, the good one is only the tempe. Others just simply edible only.

The Balonku Ada 5 drink sucks terribly. What kind of spirits do they put inside? It's just burning feeling, Tuko really doubt and even have the perception maybe this is a knock off fake drink. It's being sold on a very crazily cheap price here Indonesia. Tuko met this kind of knock off cheap drink before and it tasted like you're drinking gasoline.

Hourly promotion certainly is a very interesting idea and can attract people. There's even popcorn up to grab for free. The waiters are very polite. The atmosphere and place's design is impressive.

But with this kind of food and drink, Tuko really will think twice to come back. Not that Tuko doesn't want. Tuko will still want to come back but only with a really good reason.

Pasar Santa at Senopati, Jakarta

Been quite some time that Tuko had a visit at a market. But friends said this market is different. This is the happening place of today. The place's name is Pasar Santa located at Senopati area of South Jakarta. 

Coming into the area, it's really hard to find parking. Tuko managed to find parking by the street outside of Pasar Santa's complex. The complex itself is really like any other market. Nothing resemble cool from the outer look.

But it all changes once you got into the second floor of this Pasar Santa. So there's this new evolution here where the traditional market are located at the basement, the specialized shops located at first floor and the second floor is where the interesting part is. A lot of small restaurants with very unique designs.

Tuko will keep updating this page until everything is covered. So keep logging into this page Komeners.

First Chapter

This time around Tuko visit the very packed bakmi shop, Miechino. The only menu here is Bakmi Ayam Jamur. You can either choose with or without Bakso (Meatball). The price is IDR22,000 or around USD1.76.

The noodle is very spongy.Tuko has taste a similar kind of noodle like this before and it's called Mi Karet (Rubber Noodle). But this time it's different. There's still a good taste behind it. The noodle is cooked first by the chef on white shirt and then will be put on the big pan with some seasoning and sauce inside. The guy black shirt will mixed them all up. After that from one pan it can be divided into 3 portions. The chili sauce served by the table is amazing. The spiciness level is just so right. Not too spicy and not too mild. Tuko likes it a lot.

Look at the people who are waiting to get a seat by the table. Tuko and friend luckily get a seat by the counter and get a shot at the chefs doing the job.

Next stop, Tuko went for a dessert at the place called Sepotong Kue. The specialty of this shop is it's Kue Sus with Ice Cream. It's something like cream puff but without cream filling and filled with ice cream instead. The ice cream is home made and recommended flavor by the owner is Green Tea. Tuko's friend gave the Kue Sus a try. While Tuko went for Earl Grey Bun. Sounds more interesting.

The design of this place is a mixture of country house in United States with traditional warung (small shop). The interesting part is they make use of old looking tea kettle for tissue, sugar, spoon and so on.

The Earl Grey Bun + Green Tea Ice Cream is not bad. Tuko will not say it's really a recommended to try. But if you really feels like wanting a decent dessert, go ahead. The price is IDR15,000 or around USD1.20. For the exact same price, you could get a better one. But to get the experience, sure why not.

That's it for this time around. Let's wait for the next trip.