Bakmi Alok vs Bakmi Asui

If we talk about Kampung Chicken Noodle or Bakmi Ayam Kampung in west Jakarta, we can only screen out two names, Bakmi Alok, and Bakmi Asui.

It's not fair to compare these two if we only look at the business size. It's like David and Goliath. Alok has already have many branches, while Asui currently only open their outlet in Tanjung Duren area after they close their branch in Green Garden. But taste wise, these two is very comparable. Let's have a closer look at them.

Bakmi Alok

I already familiar with this bakmi since I was on high school. One of my teacher was the big fans of this bakmi, when they only have one outlet in Green Ville which ran by the second generation. Now, the third generations spread the wings by opening many branches. Even until Gading Serpong. Compared to Asui, they have better chicken broth, close to natural without water addition. And by appearance, the bakmi is more "organized" as compared to Asui.

Bakmi Asui

If we look at the appearance, the chicken meat at Asui is more messy cut. What I like from Asui is the meat is more fatty and more greasy. For others who don't know, I'm a fans of fat and innards. So no wonder, hahaha. Asui use different type of noodle, more close to mie karet or mie kadut. Be aware that Asui always crowded during weekend because they only have one outlet, so I have motto for them : "You can only eat here if you take leave."

Who win the battle? No one. It's a parity. Both offer delicious Bakmi Ayam Kampung. So if on weekend, I tend to eat at Alok, but if I take leave, I will eat at Asui. I forget their exact price but both offer similar price around IDR 30K per bowl. Not sure if they contains lard. I'm pretty sure Alok doesn't contain any, but I doubt for Asui.

Bakmi Alok (Main branch)
Jl. Mangga II B No.38, GreenVille
Jakarta Barat
+62-21-5687417
Business hours : 07.00am - 3.00pm

Bakmi Asui
Jl. Tanjung Duren III A, No. 337 B
Jakarta Barat
+6285881279103
Business hours :  07.00am - sold out

Hog's Breath Cafe Jakarta

Oz oz oz...oui oui oui...

Yeah, Aussie's most favorite steak house chains has finally open their first branch in Jakarta last Lebaran. And they settle down at my most favorite mall, Central Park Mall. Yeayyy....

This famous original Aussie brand has a lot of outlets back in Aussie. Last Lebaran, I had chance to try them. Because they were recently open, they offered special 10% discount on their famous Prime Rib Steak. Let's have a look at them.

Natural Prime Rib Steak - IDR 198K ++ (Lite cut)

In here, the prime rib steak is prepared in slow cooked method, means the meat is grilled in low temperature for hours. There are many variety of Prime Rib Steak here including Blue Cheese Prime Rib Steak, Hickory Smoked, Garlic Prawn, Calamary, etc. As far as I remember there are 8-9 of them. You can choose many side dished such as Curly Fries, Mashed, Baked Potatoes and Cajun Rice. There are 3 portion size, Lite Cut, Regular and Boss Hog's. My friends suggest not to order Boss Hog's cut since the portion size is enormously big, unless you are really spare your tummy for this. Usually the rule of thumb for having steak is never cook it more than medium cooked. But, because of the slow cooked method, the meat is still tender and juicy even if you order well-done cooked.

Here's the sneak peak to other variety of their Prime Rib Steak.

This restaurant is definitely worth to try. I will be back again here for some special occasions.

Hog's Breath Cafe
Central Park Mall
Tribeca Park, Ground Floor Unit 15
Jl. Letjen S. Parman Kav 28
Jakarta Barat
+62-21-29200114
Business hours : 10.00am - 10.00pm

Saveur

Craving for French fine dining while you are in Singapore but your wallet is crying? You won't believe you can have it there. Thanks for my local Singapore counterparts Ilona Loo, Yingming Cheng and Henry Agus for recommending this restaurant. I had lunch here when I was visiting Singapore last December. Reading from internet review, this place always crowded and has long queue. That's why I went there before their opening time at 11.30am. But guess what? Tadaaaaa...there was no queuing at all. This might because I came on weekday and during lunch time. Could be different if it's on weekend and dinner. Second guess maybe because they are now opening their new concept restarant called Saveur Art at ION Orchard and people are moving to that place.

It was quite easy to locate this restaurant. It located right in the front shop of the Far East Plaza at Scotts Road next to KFC. They have other branch at Purvis Street at Bugis but there they only accept reservation.

Foie Gras with Creamy Lentils - SGD 7.90++

I couldn't believe I had my first experience on foie gras in Singapore. I've been waiting to taste this dish since long ago but I am waiting for the perfect restaurant for this. Despite of its horrible preparation story, I must admit that this is heaven dish. It was melted in my mouth. Unbelieveble!
The dish was only 2x2 cm cubes. So badly want to have more. Maybe next time I can order the other variant of this menu, with Apple and Raisin.

Duck Confit - SGD 12.90++

Where on earth you could find nice Duck Confit for only SGD 12.90? Even here in Jakarta the cheapest Duck Confit I know is around IDR 200K. The duck was cooked to perfection and so crispy outside. The best part was the mashed potatoes. I couldn't remember when was I had delicious mashed potatoes. It was long ago at Chili's Sarinah Jakarta. This dish is a must order in Saveur from what I read on internet review. And I really saw every table must have this menu when I was there.

Pan Seared Seabass - SGD 14.90++

This menu was also recommended dish in their menu list. The fish was so moist and fatty. Below the fish, there was cubes fried potatoes and the sauce serving around the dish. It was OK, but as compared to the duck, this dish is less value for money.

I was so satisfied with this restaurant. I can consider to come back again. Maybe to their new concept restaurant at ION Orchard when I visit Singapore again.

Bon Appetit!

Saveur
#01-07B Far East Plaza
14 Scotts Road, Singapore 228213
+65 6736 1121
Business hours : 11:30 am – 9:30 pm

Abuba Steak

Jl. Wahid Hasyim - Jakarta Pusat

Nah ini dia pelopor steak murmer di jakarta. Dulu pertama kali buka di cipete raya jakarta selatan. Sekarang cabangnya banyak banget. Salah satunya di wahid hasyim ini. Biasanya sih gua makan yang di pluit soalnya sering ke rumah mitoha di muara karang. Tapi denger2 dia baru buka di taman ratu, lebih deket nih dari rumah gua. Asikkkk. Hehehe. Waktu dulu belum ada cabang dia rame banget warungnya. Abis cuman satu sih tempatnya dulu sementara peminatnya banyak. Kondisinya bisa disamain ama Steak Hotel by Holycow sekarang di radio dalam yang nyediain steak wagyu murmer. Udah buka cabang di senopati pun masih diantre orang. Hope I could taste Holycow someday deh.



Favoritnya di abuba ini Sirloin NZ ato daging sirloin dari sapi new zealand. Kenapa? Karena harganya cuman beda dikit ama Tenderloin lokal-nya. Jadi mending pilih daging NZ yang notabene lebih empuk. Kalo gak salah Rp. 46.000,- deh. Baru2 ini abuba juga nyediain wagyu juga, tapi kalah pamor ama wagyu Holycow. Jarang gua liat orang yang pesen wagyu di sini. Dari sekian banyak steak murmer yang ada di jakarta favorit gua tetep abuba. Gak tau yah gua suka banget ama bumbunya. Tapi belum nyobain Holycow sih. Sapa tau nanti berpaling ke lain hati. Hahaha.

Sop Kaki Kambing Dudung Roxy

Jl. Muara Karang Raya - Jakarta Utara

Sengaja gua tulis alamatnya muara karang raya soalnya gua makan yang di sana. Sop kaki kambing ini kayaknya yang paling terkenal di jakarta deh. Banyak cabangnya, tapi meragukan semua apa itu cabang aslinya dia. Contohnya yang gua makan di muara karang ini. Sama sekali gak enak. Cabang dia yang di tanjung duren juga sama sekali gak enak. Kalo yang di tanjung duren dia sih ngakunya sodaranya si dudung roxy. Gua pernah tanya soalnya. Di food louvernya GI juga ada dudung roxy. Tapi harganya ampun2 dinaikinnya. Gak tau juga itu cabang aslinya bukan. Kayaknya yang bener2 asli cuman yang di Jl. Biak roxy doang deh.



Walaupun yang di jalan biak lumayan enak tapi tetep aja gua lebih suka sop kaki kambing bang muchtar (May 2010) yang di tanjung duren dulu. Sayang sekarang juga udah gak enak. Bingung nih penggantinya di mana kalo mau makan sop kaki kambing. Sementara ini sih yang mayan cuman Agung Roxy yang di food court TA. Yah masih boleh lah tapi kurang mantep gitu lho. Any recommendation?

Din Tai Fung

Pondok Indah Mall 2 - Jakarta Selatan

Pertama kali makan di resto ini pas ke Singapur sekitar 10 tahun yang lalu. Waktu itu baru buka di sana di Paragon Mall Orchard Road. Rame banget dan tiap kali jam makan pasti ngatri pake nomer. Resto ini emang di-voted termasuk Top 10 Restaurant in the world versi apa gitu di amrik sono. Asalnya dari Taiwan. Terus beberapa tahun kemudian buka di indo pertama kali di Plaza Senayan Arcadia. Gak tau deh masih ada apa gak di sana sekarang, yang jelas dia buka canag lagi di PIM 2 ini. Banyak bule yang makan di sini, soalnya ya gara2 Top 10 best Restaurant itu sih.






Waktu itu makan ber tujuh jadi pesen agak banyakan. Ada bebek panggang, sup wanton, nasgor telur, sayur cah bawang putih (lupa sayur apa), dll. Yang paling enak di sini yang gua suka adalah Xiao Long Bao nya. The best so far yang gua pernah makan. Di table mat nya ada cara makan Xiao Long Bao. Pertama taro Xiao Long Bao di sendoknya. Terus bolongin sedikit kulitnya supaya air kaldu yang didalamnya keluar. Hirup kaldunya. Sluuurrrppp. Enak banget kaldunya. Hehehe. Terus masukin jahe iris kedalam Xiao Long Bao ama campuran kecap asin ama cuka hitam dengan komposisi 3:1. Lalu makan tuh Xiao Long Bao bulet2. Mantaf gan. Hahaha.





Makan di sini sih kalo gak sama bonyok bisa bikin kantong bolong. Muahallll. Kalo gak liat2 pesennya bisa abis sejutaan buat ber tujuh itu. Harus pinter2 milih menu. Tapi ya itu deh masalahnya kalo pilih yang murah2 doang ya gak enak jadinya makanannya. Campur2 lah kalo pesen di sini. Hehehe. Pecinta kuliner harus paling gak sekali nyicipin resto ini, terutama Xiao Long Bao nya.

Sushi Tei

At Anywhere in the Malls

Yap, banyak yang bilang ini sushi paling enak yang masih dalam harga kewajaran. Hahaha. Tapi banyak juga yang bilang sushi tei udah gak enak lagi soalnya udah terlalu rame jadi bikin sushinya grosiran. Wkwkwk. Bener juga sih bikinnya kadang udah sembarangan, bentuknya gak karu2an demikian pula rasanya. Hihihi. In my humble opinion, sushi tei emang sekarang rasanya standar2 aja. Apalagi kalo kita pesen sushi yang biasa. Maksudnya nigiri sushi. Kalo kita pesen yang fusion2 masih lumayan enak lah. Terus gua heran banyak yang makan di sini tapi gak pesen sushi tapi pesen bento ato ramen. Emang enak yah di sini? Give me input yah...





Waktu itu gua makan sushi tei di Gandaria City yang baru buka. Gandaria City ngadain promo dining at mainstreet. Pengguna telkomsel bisa beli voucher yang bisa dipake buat bayar makan di mainstreet areanya. Beli vouchernya dapet cash-back 50%, jadi misalnya kita bayar 100rb dapet total voucher 150rb, 200rb dapet 300rb, dst. Terserah kita mau beli berapa. Nah voucher itu yang gua pake makan di sushi tei. Gua waktu itu punya voucher 200rb, jadi pesennya liat buku menu sambil liat harganya. Mau pas2in sampe 200rb gitu lho. Akhirnya pilih 3 macem : jumbo dragon roll, kirishima ama salmon maki. Kirishima tuh isinya macem2 nigiri sushi kalo gak salah 28 pieces. Gak nyangka makan kayak gini berdua kenyang banget yah. Sampe gak abis gua akhirnya dibungkus beberapa. Eneq banget makan sushi nigiri banyak kayak gitu. Kapok gua. Pas kali berikutnya gua makan sushi tei lagi, gua pesen yang muter2 di atas ban berjalan doang ternyata lebih enak yah. Gak dipaksain gitu makannya bisa pesen jumbo dragon roll cuma 2 pieces. Salah besar gua, gara2 pengen ngabisin voucher sih. Hiks.