Charcoal-cooked treats beckon at Bumen Jaya

Charcoal-cooked treats beckon at Bumen Jaya

JAKARTA (JP): Bumen Jaya, so named because it was reportedly
started by people from Kebumen, Central Java, is famed for its
mutton fried rice and boiled noodles. Diners say the secret is
that the food is cooked on a traditional stove using charcoal
instead of gas or kerosene.

Bumen Jaya, Jl. Pejompongan Raya No. 8, Central Jakarta (near
the Palmerah railway station and behind the BPK building).

Open: 11 a.m. to 1 a.m.

What's It Got: Nasi goreng kambing (mutton fried rice) and
other mutton dishes such as sate kambing (mutton satay), gulai
kambing (mutton curry) and tongseng (mutton soup in a soybean
sauce).

For chicken eaters, there is chicken satay, chicken fried rice
and various other fried parts of the chicken -- liver, wings,
head and thigh.

Fried or boiled noodles served with an egg and slices of
chicken are also available. Steak and European dishes are not to
be found here, and vegetarians will find slim pickings.

On the one-page menu there are also soft drinks and cold
beverages such as coconut drinks and iced tea, as well as hot tea
and coffee. No beer.

Price Points: Reasonable and affordable for what you get. A
plate of spiced mutton fried rice costs Rp 9,000. Ten sticks of
mutton satay served with rice is Rp 14,000 (the most expensive
item on the menu), chicken and rice is Rp 10,000, a heaping
portion of noodles and chicken fried rice goes for Rp 8,000.

Looks: Not the most attractive warung (sidewalk eatery)
despite its reputation, but clean enough for its ilk, with wooden
tables, chairs and floor. No air-conditioning, but there are two
ceiling fans. Nonuniformed waiters provide efficient service. And
it's quick; 10 pieces of fried Sumedang tofu (Rp 3,500) come in a
minute, while your main order is cooked and served in no more
than 10 minutes.

Popular with...: Workers from private and state-owned
companies along Jl. Gatot Subroto, the Slipi flyover and
residents in the surrounding Bendungan Hilir and Palmerah areas.
Also reportedly favored by some celebrities.

Taste Factor: The fried rice is not too oily, but the eatery
is recommended for the delicious Javanese boiled noodles. But the
mutton satay, soup and chicken satay have a standard,
unexceptional taste.

Minus Points: Its "parking area" on the side of busy Jl.
Pejompongan Raya is limited and causes traffic jams. Guests also
have to pass by the smoky cooking area and through a narrow
entrance before reaching the dining room. Smoke blowing in from
the cooking area can be a problem, too; smoke really does get in
your eyes at Bumen Jaya. (Sri Ramadani)