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.