EATANDTREATS JAPAN: OMOTESANDO KOFFEE - SHIBUYA

As an avid fan of coffee, visiting local’s coffee shops is mandatory as a part of my travelling diary, and before actually travelling, I always ask for recommendations where to hop in, but the thing is, when I am actually somewhere, I make myself forgetting all that and just bond with locals! Usually there are two kinds: one where there’s so many people queuing, and the other one when it appears unbelievably cute and in a way... convincing!

If you’re planning to travel in Japan, it’s mandatory that you have internet connection, if you can’t speak Japanese, English or Chinese, you’re pretty much fucked! Almost every outlet’s name in Japan is written in Japanese and you’re going to need that a lot for directing your walking path to your destination, well that if you don’t mind spending thousands of yen for every taxi ride, and most of the times, I found myself googling the name in English and looked out for the Japanese name and then copy that to Google maps.

I love Omotesando area, I think it’s just my kind of neighborhood: it’s just beautiful, vibrant, classy but still very social. I could spend hours walking around this neighborhood and not get bored.

Omotesando Koffee was never something that I expected, when I first reached Omotesando Koffee, I was very blown away by something I never saw before, well first of all, what a coincidence that I never googled Omotesando Koffee before, when I think about it, I found that weird because I usually get super crazy with my itinerary – and short to say, it’s one of the most beautiful coffee shops I’ve ever been.

Never thought that an amazing coffee shop would be isolated, but I guess that’s what makes Omotesando Koffee very special and literally a hidden gem located in the residental neighborhood of Omotesando and Gaienmae. The venue was small and minimalist but beautifully-naturally framed with red trees, almost like a mini garden inside a coffee shop, and I don’t why but the ambiance gave me this “Zen” energy. Omotesando Koffee occupied this petite traditional Japanese house with a little bench, a brewing area completed with a grinder, La Cimbali coffee machine, some baked custards displayed (Kashi) and all that single-handled by a man!

The menu was categorized to three mains: Koffee Kashi, Hot Koffee & Iced Koffee and yes it’s with a K like Kardashian. Cappuccino, Cafe Latte, Cafe Mocha, Mochaccino and regular Jo are available in iced, they have two special menus here: Iced Shakerato, Cafe Granita and what they’re most famous for: Iced Bailey’s Cappuccino!!! I can’t even start imagining how sexual the chemistry between coffee and baileys because I could really die.

Iced Bailey’s Cappuccino

700 yen (IDR 77k)
Never do I found any problem whenever having something with Bailey’s infused in, and just like this one, honestly, one of the most amazing grind I’ve ever had! This was creamy, rich, frothy, subtle and fragrant! Truth be told, I like the fact that the Bailey’s was just a hint and didn’t overpower or dominating the coffee flavor.

Hot Cappuccino

550 yen (IDR 60k)
Frankly speaking, I like coffee, and I am learning more about it so I won’t pretend that I know how to explain coffee in the most expert way to appear cool, but judging from the taste and aftertaste, frankly speaking, one of the best cappuccino I’ve had in my life. Technically I believe coffee shop measured their coffee and not rare that the measurement of the esperesso could be the same, probably that worldwide cappuccino ettiquette, but their cappuccino was anything but SPECIAL! It had this perfect amount of coffee and milk giving a rich but very well settled taste!

Kashi – Baked Custard

160 yen (IDR 17k)/piece
Short of say, this is like the cube version of Canele, just fragrant & perfectly sweet with caramelized coating, crust and gooey eggy inside.

When you’re in Tokyo, get lost and find your way to this AMAZING coffee shop, even if you don’t like coffee, sitting around here was actually kind of therapeutic! Hands down, one of the most beautiful and most qualified coffee shops I’ve ever been.

Meanwhile... somewhere in Omotesando, I spotted a cutie ;)

Omotesando Koffee
4-1 5-3 Jingumae
Shibuya, Tokyo 150-0001, Japan
+81-3-5413-9422
Price range: 400 - 700 yen
WEBSITE

〒150-0001 東京都渋谷区

神宮前４丁目１５−３

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Map for Omotesando Koffee

OKIRO BAR GRAND INDONESIA - JAKARTA

 I first noticed their catchy pink banner and actually snap a picture of it so that I could remember. Still longing (read: can't move on) from my recent Japan trip, and anything Japanese could do, two days after and I still had my Japanese lunch, Japanese dinner and now trying this newly opened Japanese Okonomiyaki bar.

Okiro Bar is the trendier version and braver move of Okiro Box, in a way more established with official outlet, seating capacity and more variant and creations. For those who don't know, Okonomiyaki is actually Japanese grilled pancake (so flour and egg based batter) in which Okonomi means what you like and yaki means grilled, so grill what you like as they also have the customized okonomiyaki here.

 The restaurant and bar wasn't exactly spacious, it's this medium sized space with catchy design & trendy pop colors. They have several seating areas: bar seating, "outdoor" (can't be completely outdoor since it's technically still inside a mall) seating and tables with grilled pans.

The first thing I noticed when I look at the menu was honestly not the names, it's the price, frankly speaking, I found them a little high for okonomiyaki (starting from IDR 89k for medium & IDR 219k for the large), while the takoyaki pricing was pretty normal (starting IDR 33k for small to IDR 80k for the large portion). Aside from okonomiyaki and takoyaki, they also have negiyaki, monjayaki (the gooeyer version of okonomiyaki with more watery batter), some light bites like gyoza, onigiri, taiyaki, yakitori, omurice and some desserts!

Not knowing what to expect, most of the times when I visited new restaurants I tend to order their highlighted menu/best seller! Tried the medium size of Caramelized Wagyu Hiroshima (IDR 159k), Family Octopus takoyaki in small size (IDR 33k) and refillable iced lemon tea (IDR 25k), the refill method is self service, they had a drink corner for you to go and refill.

Caramelized Wagyu Hiroshima

IDR 159k

The takoyaki was pretty standard and nothing really screamed about it, I expected more octopus inside, it's just a little chunk in every ball, but I must give it to their Caramelized Wagyu Hiroshima as I think it was DAYUM! It came in generous toppings of cabbage, egg, beef wagyu, bacon, octopus, seaweed, fish flakes and sauce! Short to say, a beautiful tasty guilty pleasure. I honestly feel so guilty having all this for myself but it's so good I'm confused HAHA! As for the pricing, still a little high tho.

Family Octopus Takoyaki

IDR 33k

Two meals and one drink and I spent around IDR 250k, considering I never actually consider Okonomiyaki as main course, well...

I love their gut for coming and expanding something more unique and unusual, I truly wish them all the best of luck!

Thanks for reading! Will start writing my Japan posts!!!

Okiro Bar
Grand Indonesia West Mall 5th fl. (across People's Cafe/Ron's)
Jl. M.H. Thamrin No. 1
Jakarta Pusat 10310
Opening Hours: 10 AM - 10 PM
Average spending: IDR 300k for two

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Map for Grand Indonesia

NASI CAMPUR TAMBAK BAYAN PANTAI INDAH KAPUK - JAKARTA

I was first introduced to Tambak Bayan on my very first trip to Surabaya two months ago. Yes, 23 years of living and three months ago was the first time I saw (and for four days living in) Surabaya, but unexpectedly, for the last two months, I have been going back and forth to Surabaya for three times for leisure and work!

I would love to thank my friend Jack and Joshua for bringing me here, right after I landed on that first trip to Surabaya, my first experience with Tambak Bayan was anything but memorable in the most awesome way! Claimed to be the authentic treat from the city of heroes, that was a freaking champ, but now, I don’t think I need to travel to Surabaya anymore (if my number one reason is to have Tambak Bayan) as they finally opened their first outlet in Rukan Crown Golf Pantai Indah Kapuk (align with BCCone and Pungopang), in a way, it’s an amazing but risky step!

I came on the second day of opening, as this post is written, it’s two days ago and it was SUPER full! Like super that I couldn’t even take proper food pictures because people are blocking the light source and couldn’t take the interior picture as all there’s on my frame was...guessed it, people! This is going to be a very short review unlike usual, but that’s ok as long as there’s the mighty food!

They're quite well known in Surabaya for their Nasi Campur Tambak Bayan (IDR 33k), but I ordered their Nasi Campur with Empal (IDR 55k) and a portion consist of rice, empal, glass noodles, tofu cooked in coconut turmeric sauce, and their signature (very) spicy chili, it was (if I’m not mistaken) 10-15k more expensive than the one in Surabaya, but considering you don’t have to fly to Surabaya and the rent in PIK is fucking expensive, then I guess that’s still ok. In terms of the flavor and impression, I found myself longing back to the memories of my first Surabaya trip because everything was almost the same, if you think their glass noodle was way overcooked, that’s just their style, but I was so happy that the “empal” (beef steak) was way more tender than my first trial. Their chili, OMG, if you’re not used to spicy food, you better be a little careful as it’s quite HOT, but in a sense, that spiciness just kept you hungry...well at least that’s me.

Additional 10k and you can get this succulent tasty pork satay <3.

Their Rawon (IDR 40k) came in a small personal portion, for those who don’t know, Rawon is a traditional Javanese dish consisting of black beef bone broth with meat slices, usually served with rice or kecambah (the unfinished or head part of soya beansprout). I found myself quite liking their rawon even though it’s a little mild ans I was expecting for that bolder kick and the meat was given quite generously.

I honestly tried their lontong sayur and pecel as well, but didn’t get a chance to take pictures as they’re no longer appetizing looking as my friends “attacked” them, but the lontong sayur was quite nice with rich coconut milk stock and the pecel, well that was all together DAYUM without being overly sweet.

Congrats for the opening, I can really see that you’re going strong in PIK, trust me, Indonesian cuisine will never lose its customers if they’re authentic, good and simply yummy, and Tambak Bayan seems to have all that! GOOD LUCK!

Nasi Campur Tambak Bayan
Jl. Rukan Crown Golf Blok B
Align with BCCone and Pungopang
Pantai Indah Kapuk, Jakarta Utara 14470
Price Range: IDR 35k-IDR 55k, IDR 120k for two

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Map for Jalan Marina Indah

La Cocina de la Abuela, Marrickville

There’s something you need to know about the huaraches gigantes here. It’s not gigantic – it’s colossal. The 40cm long torpedo of homemade fried tortilla dough laden with chicken, chorizo, capsicum, lettuce and fresh cheese is called a huaraches because it looks like a sandal of the same name.


Huaraches gigantes $22
40cm long homemade tortilla with refried beans and your choice of chicken,

EATANDTREATS POSTCARDS FROM JAPAN!

HEYHO!!!

OMG I am typing this post with such excitement as I just returned from LITERALLY one of THE BEST trips that I’ve ever been, and if you follow me on Instagram, it’s TOKYO!!!

I don’t know the mightier word to describe Tokyo, for me, it’s just so close to perfection! It’s just like a damn beautiful mix of beauty, sophistication, modern, traditional and ethnic. Japan is known as the country with the most old citizens populations, that I can’t argue because I would agree! The most simple example would be the environment: the city was far from being polluted, don’t know the best way to explain this but I just love how “clear” and “glowing” Tokyo was, it’s almost that your sight is at the best state, the air was fresh, chilly and each breath you take felt like another source of energy and peaceful mind. Tokyo was indeed one of the cleanest cities I’ve ever been and align with Singapore, and the water was very clear, cold and even the drinkable tap water felt very pure. I am officially a fucking convert!

As usual, a short intro before I start writing on my Japan travel posts and restaurant reviews: POSTCARDS FROM JAPAN. I must admit I LOVE my Tokyo photos that I can’t stop spamming on my Instagram, but who cares, Tokyo pictures must be shared! Frankly speaking, I didn’t take as many pictures as I usually did when I travel around, it’s just that the more I travel and experience new places, the more I realize that the best things are felt and experienced, for certain moment, I just want myself carried away by all those dreamy but real experience.

Haven’t finished sorting out all the photos, it will take some time, but hopefully I won’t be tardy with this one. In the meantime, please enjoy J.

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