West Java Archives

In Bandung By Taufulou 3 Mins Read

Bandung Food Hunt –> Surabi Imut –> Siagian, Pork Warung

17/04/2011 No Comments

After our sightseeing from Tangkuban Perahu, which a place to visit inactive volcano at Bandung, then on the way back to Bandung Town, my friend introduce this stall which is one of her favourite eatery place that I said I want to eat Local delights only. Bandung Food Hunt

Surabi Imut known as one of their local delights that origins from the West Java. On that side, this little snacks are only available in 2 flavours, sweet surabi and Surabi Oncom. Then the owner had modernise the taste of it and now in this outlet, around 27 flavours are available.

The process of making it is using small claypot to cook along and burn under hot charcoal.

These are the four flavours we orderd.

Chocolate Cheese and Milk @ RP 6000

Milk and Cheese @ RP 5500

Sausage, Chicken Special with Cheese

Banana Chocolate Milk @ RP 5000

Overall taste of it, it taste something similiar like my favourite Apom Manis in thicker version, with a bit salty base baked till brownish on the outer layer then add in your favourite toppings. The star among those 4 are the chocolate milk cheese. That taste super good!

Gado Gado

Location:
Surabi Imut
Jalan Setiabudi,no.194 Bandung

Tel: (022) 2012180

Next destination of eating, we were brought to a very hidden area, that have to walk through this small alley to reach the little warong. If you love pork, then this is one of the place you must visit that has no menu, only served 1 kind of food.

It is better to be seated outside here with the mini bar counter style its because inside is too smokey already with its poor ventilation when they are bbq’ing the pork!

My friend told me that, it used to be a very run down place, and they old area caught fire, then now they have renovated it a bit to more modern warung style. It is packed with alot of people during lunch time.

In the set,you will be giving their sour soup, special blend green spicy chili to sqeeze along with a lime. and the unique dressing for the pork is this thickend pig blood.

Here comes our porky for the day. Deep fried till the outer layer is cripsy with their own homemade spices ingredient, pork meat is soft and with even fats in between then my friend doesnt like the pig blood, so did not pour it in .. The difference is that when add in pork blood, the meat is more moist n juicy n taste better.

One of the food that must hunt if you visit Bandung, and of course this is not a commercial eatery place, which is only known by the locals or neighbourhood, reason is this shop doesnt have a name and its hidden back behind alot of houses..

What I can say is, this is the location view that I shoot at which is in front of STT Telkom Didapati Ukur/ Telcom Indonesia building main entrance (if not mistaken), and my friend told me the name of the shop is Siagian.

In Bandung By Taufulou 5 Mins Read

Tangkuban Perahu inactive Volcano @ Bandung, Indonesia

18/03/2011 No Comments

After our heavy breakfast (click here), then we continue our Bandung exploration to another side of it which is a tourist place must visit. A inactive volcano with a location called Tangkuban Perahu which is like 45 minutes to 1 hour drive from the city area.

There is a fairy tale story behind the name of Tangkuban Perahu:

The name translates roughly to “upturning of (a) boat” or “upturned boat” in Sundanese, referring to the local legend of its creation. The story tells of “Dayang Sumbi”, a beauty who lived in West Java. She cast away her son “Sangkuriang” for disobedience, and in her sadness was granted the power of eternal youth by the gods. After many years in exile, Sangkuriang decided to return to his home, long after the two had forgotten and failed to recognize each other. Sangkuriang fell in love with Dayang Sumbi and planned to marry her, only for Dayang Sumbi to recognize his birthmark just as he was about to go hunting. In order to prevent the marriage from taking place, Dayang Sumbi asked Sangkuriang to build a dam on the river Citarum and to build a large boat to cross the river, both before the sunrise. Sangkuriang meditated and summoned mythical ogre-like creatures -buta hejo or green giant(s)- to do his bidding. Dayang Sumbi saw that the tasks were almost completed and called on her workers to spread red silk cloths east of the city, to give the impression of impending sunrise. Sangkuriang was fooled, and upon believing that he had failed, kicked the dam and the unfinished boat, resulting in severe flooding and the creation of Tangkuban Perahu from the hull of the boat. (source by Wikepedia)

I just love the journey there, so classic and kampung’ish . . .

1 hour later, here we are, reach to the summit of the hill with a bit of winding road up and lots of people at the peak.

The weather is just perfect, with a bit blue sky and white clouds. . .cool windy breeze and weather around 22 degree. . .

In Bandung By Taufulou 5 Mins Read

Maja House @ Bandung

11/02/2011 No Comments

When I look through what to do during at night in Bandung on the net, there are actually nothing much as I know that I have friends there that they will bring me to the best of the places that available in Bandung. Maja House at Bandung. Of course different people like different kind of environment, one of the place that I came across that suggested by many people of its sunset view overlook a huge paddy field, then my friend told me that they will bring me to a new place which just operate last year which turns out to be one of their favourite hang out place.

Maja House which is located on the east side of West Java (if I am not mistaken) as the road travel to this area is nearby my homestay located at Dago area, it is only about 20-30 minutes ride from there. Actually the distance is near just that the road condition is not that good, that’s why it takes a while to reach a destination.

A restaurant that located at the peak of the hill which there are not only 1 restaurant available, there are quite a number of restaurant around the area. Just that my friend told me this is more famous.

When we reach, I was like… Woahhhh .. . so nice. . it looks more like a huge mansion converted into a restaurant with hits multiple staircase to climb up that really force you a bit to exercise. 😀

The first level that we come accross locate this very huge dining area that accomodate only a not many table at this huge space with lights brightly shine in the area.

As we climb futher up, we reach the top level of the restaurant and I certainly agree 100% on this quote that ‘If a Man Keeps telling you He loves you over and Over again, Then Something is Wrong’. *Like

My jaw drop so big when I See the top level of the area. It is so hugeeeee and so comfy to be seated in this such great weather~ chill as on the night it was around 18 degree. . .. I was wearing short and t-shirt just perfect to my favourite weather.

The have a huge long dining table area with sofa and on the back of this wall. . ..

Located this huge seating area with sofa bed style along the strech at the end, which is perfect for people who do not like to be seated outdoor yet like a bit of wind, then here would just be perfect.

Walked accross this mini bridge, we reach another huge area. . . .

Reached this very nice wooden style bar, that makes me think of a game in Facebook how I decorated my bar to my likings. The bar tender was very nice and friendly.

Behind this wall, locate a huge dining area which is perfect to host private party that I think can accomodate up to 100 pax. . . Then I choose to sit outdoor and want to soak myself into this sofa, enjoy this chill weather and my view and my crazy new friends .. .

The view might not be so perfect but this place certainly is a blast~

Food here is not cheap as you know, located up at the peak of the hill, you sure would expect to dip a little deeper into your wallet for such environment. The price range from ID10,000 to ID150,000. Depends on your order.

First order was someone trying to go diet so they order salad. It was very green when it served, suprise with how it taste when they mix it all in.

Comes next saled which is not much green, with meat of course, find that the meat is a bit soggy.

This drink turns out a bit too sweet for me.

Then here comes my drink, peanut milk shake, which is very thick in flavour and I quite like it. As I remember for the first time my best friend’s sister did it for me to drink. .. then I start to love this combination but some find it very filling.

Next is this Ribs, is highly recommended by me if you do dine here. Very soft till like the whole meat going to fall off from the bone just like that and it was well marinated and cook. I just wish the whole place there is more ribs instead of rice.

‘Tenderloin Mozarella’ RP 56,500 Steak in medium well, was well prepared with more like a slice of cheese baked on top with its side gravy to dip along a bit of sour and bitter turns out to be quite unique.

‘Sup Buntot Goreng’ @ RP 47,500 is mild in taste and nothing much to boast about.

this is one of a great desert to end with,’Green Tea Ice cream with deep fried sliced apple’ that comes in a set. The fried slices apple is to dip along with the smooth green tea ice cream that makes it a perfect combination.

Indo Auntie and Malay Auntie . ..

Here ends our first stop of the night and there are 2 more stops to go that has a very unique style of dining. Sure you will be impress. Wait and look out for more.

Its a great place to drop by if you do have time . . . . This place not only is up for dining, for clubbers, they do host a serious of special invites internation DJ to blast you off. . . Do check out at their blogspot for series of special invites Internation DJ spinning in da house.

Location:
Maja House building Jl. Sersan Bajuri 72 Bandung

More Info & Reservation Please Call 022-2788 196 / 022-2788 466
www.majahouse.com – www.majahouse.blogspot.com

In Bandung By Taufulou 6 Mins Read

Day 1 – Bandung Trip

21/01/2011 No Comments

I guess that, most of us had travel more frequent now compare to last time, thanks to AirAsia that had made Asian country near with their cheap flights. During last round of Zero fare, I was unable to get those destination cheap then ended up with a very last minute decision heading to Bandung Trip with very cheap fare of return ticket RM85.

I had travel with AirAsia couple of times and this would consider the worst as my flight first got re-schedule for both heading to Bandung and Returning that had cut off our time there a lot. Then when heading to Bandung, flight got delay, then heading back to Malaysia, flight also delay. I guess this would be my very first experience in this. Aiiii. . . .

Direct flight journey was pleasent with their friendly crew from Indonesia that took us about 2 hours journey to reach.

Bandara Husein Sastranegara Bandung is a very small air port.

After we happily spending some time taking pictures at the landed area, then we have to pay the price for being in the line around 45 minutes. With only 2 immegration counter opened as we are the last flight to be in for the day. As we head out from the area was nearly 10.30pm.

Then I told Agnes that I want to try out local food, and Bandung being a small town, as around 11pm most of the shops are close and very limited area to get for food, she manage to think of this warung, Warung Nasi Ampera (Ampera Restaurant) which is famous for their very local cuisine, that served Sudanese food. (Sudanese is West Java ethnic), that operates 24 hours.

This famous chain restaurant started as early in 1970’s in the capital city of West Java and till to date they have operations of 50 branches around Indonesia and around 30 branches are in Bandung itselves.

With their dining area, classic warung decoration style that potray most of their culture, its something like our Kopitiam style.

As I see the price list, it is quite reasonable.

The way the served are more like our economy rice style, that the bench is filled with array of food, then you can pick what you want they will heat it up for you.

One of their signature classic dish is with this vegetable dip with their very own local sambal.

The sambal might be just the look and let me tell you, you dip a bit then you will feel the flame coming out from your mouth. Its soo spicy yet it is tasty. A must try~

Their local tea taste abit like our Teh KwanYin with ginger served warm.

My all time favourite drink in Indonesia is Teh Botol Sosro. Hardly miss.

This is what they Called Lalab, fresh vegetable with sambal which is one of the popular entree for Sudanese Cuisine.

Then Agnes and Mosandy order the food for us to share, and they don provide fork and spoon, we have to eat it by using our fingers. Another new challenging thing for me to do yet I have to snap pictures. Petai is good, that the smell of it is not too strong, fermented Tofu had unique in taste, that goes along with rice is perfect. Ribs is highly recommeded, with its soft and juicy meat that I ended order another 2 more. Beef Brisket that had been deep fried with their own spices is another dish to aim for.

At the end of the meal, we had a very satisfy local delights to begin our food and shopping journey. A recommended place by me if you are aiming for local food.

Location:
Warung Nasi Ampera
Jl. Pajajaran No. 133
Bojonegara, Bandung – 40172
West Java, Indonesia

As the time was not too early nor too late, then Mosandy suggest us to head to one of their famous bar on the weekend which is Sobbers. Consider one of the hottest place on weekend with certain occasions, there will be special DJ spinning in da house.

As I walked into the place, I am very suprise to see the interior of it. Contemporary style yet very cosy place to hang out with friends.

With their outside area are filled with rattan chairs with soft pillow for us to seat in and the temperature for the night is chill around 20 degree which such a good weather for beer and chilling.

As for inside, the VIP area are filled with sofa’s to host you and your friends. ..

Another area. .. . .

and if you feel like grooving around on the dance floor, it is located directly infront of the DJ deck with some stools at the bar counter and I just cannot imagine how it is gonna be like on weekend. What can we expect on Tuesday night crowd with many of them have to work on the next day.

The dance floor is quite spacious for grinding and dancing. . .:D

When I flip thru the drinks menu, one columm that certainly caught me by suprise is the price for the beer. Guess how much is it for a bigger jug then ours of Heineken? I was price only at RM28 and for a Tower of 3L, it is price at RM55. Its so cheapppppppppp . .. .

My friends from Bandung left, Agnes and her best friend Mosandy, a crazy guy . .. .

Lets Absolute it with drinks if weekend comes ahead.

Sobbers one of a good bar to look forward to hang out if you are in the town on weekend. Do check it out.

Location:
Sobbers
Located along Jalan Setiabudi, (directly next to Rumah Mode factory outlet as most of the taxi driver know bout this place)

After all those hang out spots, went to check in at our guesthouse Rumah Ebo, which is situated along the famous factory outlet at Dago area which is just 5 minutes walk out.

looking through at the net, alot of travellers recommend this place with hits cleaninness and the rate of it. It was only RM100 per night or around ID270,000.

Its a very environmental friendly guesthouse with a huge garden inbetween that seperates the opposite room.

2 single bed with attach bathroom and if you want to save cost, those without bathroom is cheaper. There are no closet for you to hang our clothes except those on the wall above the TV.

Both the toilet and room is very clean and we are satisfied with it.

Breakfast are served but do not expect buffet style at guesthouse. We consider its pretty good already with breads and porridge available.

Coffee and Tea too . .. . After that we head to our shopping spree (click here)

For more info on Rumah Ebo: visit their website: http://rumahebo.wordpress.com/

In Bandung By Taufulou 2 Mins Read

Snapshots – Streets of Bandung, Indonesia

10/01/2011 No Comments

I have just coming back from my shopping trip at Bandung, a city where I really shop till drop.. Most of the things there are soooooo CHEAP! That will be on my next blog post and now let me bring you thru some snapshots, Streets of Bandung. So This post will be mainly more on photo’s . . .. . We will just love the temperature there, as at night its a bit similar to Genting Highlands weather, cool and chill and in the afternoon we were lucky that the temperature was around 20-22 degree for both days…

Bandung (pronounced [bənˈduŋ]) (Indonesian: Kota Bandung) is the capital of West Java province in Indonesia, and the country’s third largest city, and 2nd largest metropolitan area in Indonesia,[1] with 7.4 million in 2007. Located 768 m (2,520 ft) above sea level, Bandung has cooler temperatures year-around than most other Indonesian cities. The city lies in a river basin surrounded by volcanic mountains. This topography provides a good natural defense system, which was the primary reason for the Dutch East Indies government’s plan to move the colony capital from Batavia to Bandung.

The Dutch colonials first opened tea plantations around the mountains in the eighteenth century, followed by a road construction connecting the plantation area to the capital (180 km or 112 miles to the northwest). The European inhabitants of the city demanded the establishment of a municipality (gemeente), which was granted in 1906 and Bandung gradually developed itself into a resort city for the plantation owners. Luxurious hotels, restaurants, cafes and European boutiques were opened of which the city was dubbed as Parijs van Java (Dutch: “The Paris of Java”).
(Source from Wikipedia)