JAKARTA EATS: Fine Indonesian Cuisine at Kembang Goela

Another great recommendation from Tita Noreen! We usually take visiting guests to TeSate, Seribu Rasa, Sate Khas Senayan or Mera Delima. It’s no wonder that this resto is ranked #22 out of 508 restaurants in Jakarta.

To sample some of the best Indonesian-Dutch peranakan dishes, head to Kembang Goela. The owner, Ms Lily Admodirjo, set the restaurant up to revive the nostalgic colonial past. This restaurant also proves that you can actually experience old-style elegance in the midst of the busy Sudirman Street . Its location in Plaza Sentral makes it a constant temptation for office workers to have lunch the aristocratic way every now and then.

– Streetdirectory.com

This beautiful resto is tucked away in a parking lot on a building along Sudriman. The interiors were beautiful and indeed it was successful in “reviving the nostalgic colonial past” in such a tasteful manner that even to my minimalist aesthetics were so pleasing to the eye.

There are 3 dining areas in Kembang Goela. We were first led to one that had MASSIVE tables (not pictured) and since there was just 3 of us, we asked for a smaller table.

There was a buffet set up in the main dining area, perhaps for a buffet that evening.

We were led to smaller room with appropriately smaller tables. I just loved the simple centerpiece that provided a splash of color among all the earth and wood tones.

THE FOOD

GOOD TO NOTE:

Everything was mildly spicy. I specifically requested the waitstaff’s recommendations of dishes that arenot spicy  because I know my in-laws are not used to it. Despite their reassurance that it was “not spicy at all,” my FIL was sweating through the meal. I just made sure to remove all the red chilies before putting anything in my mouth. “Not spicy or mildly spicy” for an Indonesian is mighty spicy for a typical Filipino who is not accustomed to Indonesian cuisine. Despite the spicy kick and sweating, my in-laws loved it!

Here’s what we ordered:

Shrimp Kerupuk small  (Kerupuk Udang Kecil) Rp 8,500. Next time I want the bigger one1

Chicken Satay (Satay Ayam) Rp 47,500. Always a winner, but next time I recommend asking for kecap manis (sweet soy sauce) to go with the peanut sauce.

Beef Rendang (Rendang Uni Ida) Rp 90,000. Normally we (MIL & I) don’t like rendang but this was good!

Fried Gurame (Ikan Gurame Goreng) Rp 125,000. My father who has a love hate relationship with fish (love for the health factor but hates the taste) really loved this dish! I think it was the best out of everything we ordered. We couldn’t get enough of the crispy toppings! (Egg and tofu is I am not mistaken?)

OTHERS: Rice was 10,000 while coke in can 22,500. All in all we spent Rp 440,ooo or USD 44. Not bad for fine dining. My discriminating in-laws were very happy with the food.

I highly recommend this place if you have any visitors that have sophisticated tastes. According to Tita Noreen this is where ambassadors dine. And I can totally see why! Thanks again Tita Noreen for the great reco as usual!

KEMBANG GOELA

• Plaza Sentral, Jl. Jend. Sudirman Kav. 47-48, Jakarta Pusat 12930
• (021)520-5625