Japanese food can be had at affordable prices
Japanese food can be had at affordable prices
Kenny Santana, Contributor, Jakarta
When it comes to food, the words "made in Japan" always sound
expensive, even though this could have something to do with our
depressed rupiah.
But again, it might be true as Japan is indeed one the most
expensive countries to live in, and it's so common to hear that
people here spend over a million rupiah per person to savor the
taste of Japanese food in Jakarta hotels.
If you really want to treat your taste buds with Japanese
cuisine, however, don't be timorous because Jakarta is full of
creative people who make it possible to taste Japanese food on a
lower budget.
The city's multitude of street food hawkers have ventured
beyond their traditional Chinese and Indonesian menus, and now
offer so-called expensive Japanese food at very reasonable price
in down-to-earth surroundings.
Marihana
Jl. Teuku Cik Ditiro No.71 Menteng
Tel. 3920430
Opening Hours: 11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m., 6:30 p.m. to 10 p.m.
The tag line for this place is "The Authentic Japanese
Restaurant". How authentic is it? Let me give you the lowdown.
Marihana offers an impressively wide-ranging menu all the way
from sushi up to set menus. The price range stretches from Rp
15,000 (oyako or diced chicken) to Rp 110,000 (eel).
They also have unique appetizers (eggplant, and something I've
never heard of -- gobo roots). Main courses include not just the
usual chicken and beef, but also salmon, eel and tuna.
But if you're on a budget, it's best to stick to the rice bowl
menu -- all the dishes are under Rp 30,000 and are just what the
doctor ordered for a grumbling tum. The must-try here are
Agedashi, Japanese fried tofu dipped in sauce for snacks, and
Macha (green tea ice cream) for dessert.
The place is not too big, and looks simple, clean and
relaxing. They also have a delivery service (restricted menu) for
an additional Rp 3,000 per order.
Nakayoshi
Jl. Cipaku 2/16 Kebayoran Baru
Tel. 7269751
Opening Hours: 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. (Sundays closed)
An inspiring place to be. Tucked away in a small house, this
eatery is surely a discovery. Homey, comfy and low profile, the
best thing about Nakayoshi is that they're brave enough to mix
and match western food and Japanese food.
Priced at Rp 17,500, the Yakimeshi (Japanese fried rice), is
definitely one of the best fried rice dishes I've ever tasted;
instead of using a fried egg, they put scrambled eggs on top of
the rice. Different, but interesting.
And if you want to taste a real treat in your life, try the
Beef Roll Katsu -- unlike the usual boring Katsu, they make a
beef roll with cheese and apple, and fry it in bread crumbs. It's
simply heavenly. And you might also like to try the gindara baked
in aluminum foil, which only costs Rp 32,000 and includes the
standard companions: rice, salad and miso soup.
And how about ending up with a not-so-Japanese dessert --
coffee jelly. And if you have a glass of green tea, you'll get a
free one-off refill. But you might have to wait a while for your
food -- it's a bit slow. Recommended, nevertheless.
Sopo Ngiro
Jl.Cikini Raya (In front of King's restaurant), Menteng
Tel. 7290004
Opening Hours: 6 p.m. to midnight
Sopo Ngiro is Javanese words that sound coincidentally like
Japanese. Small, it is frequently full of hungry young people who
want to eat and chat all evening long.
The chicken teriyaki is perfectly tender, while the yakimechi
is simple but tasty.
And who says franchising is only for big brands, Sopo Ngiro
has five (yes, five!) branches, including ones on Jl. Panglima
Polim, South Jakarta, Ciledug, South Jakarta and Kelapa Gading in
North Jakarta. If you need top-class food for a birthday or other
celebration, just give them a call.
Koyoku/Cak Tiknar
Jl.Panglima Polim Raya
Tel: 08161607079
Opening Hours: 6 p.m. to midnight.
Almost the same as Sopo Ngiro but slightly cheaper, all their
offerings are priced at under Rp 10,000. Nothing to brag about as
regards the menu or the taste -- it's just okay. Unfortunately,
they don't serve tempura anymore, or even sushi. When it comes to
beverages, the orange juice is a bit bitter for my taste.
Ichiban Sushi
Foodcourt, 3rd floor of Plaza Senayan
Tel. 5725307
Opening Hours: 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.
This place is the go for relieving those hunger pangs after
wandering for hours in the capital's busiest mall. The tempura is
nice and tasty, and so is the beef teriyaki, which I found to be
better than Hoka-Hoka Bento. Besides the set menu, they also
serve sushi (the most expensive sushi set is Rp 29.000).
Nothing much to say about the place's looks as it's located in
an ever-crowded food court in the mall. But if you like to avoid
the food court scene but still want to try out what they have to
offer, go to the newly opened branch in Bale Air on Jl. Gatot
Subroto.