Cabe A Culinary Delights of Indonesian Cuisine in Tokyo

I finally tried Indonesian food in Tokyo this year at an Indonesian restaurant fittingly called Cabe (Chilli).

For a place I keep coming back to as if I had a second “secret” family, admittedly, it’s unusual to take this long to tick off the Japan version of my Indonesian-food-around-the-world series. But hey, Japan always offers good food no matter what/where/when, so I never had a chance to miss Indonesian food while there.

At least not until I took Amma to Japan some months back.

Amma vs Japanese Food

It was day five, maybe day seven—it’s all a blur by then. The point is, Japan wasn’t winning her over, especially not the Japanese food.

I had taken her to eat everything, from Izakaya to Tsukiji Market, from Taiyaki to Yakitori, but nothing seemed to please her.

On that particularly scorching hot day, and after her lukewarm response when I took her to Ginza, I could feel my patience level dropping, and so was her tolerance for this foreign place that her daughter loved so much. So, I tried to do some damage control by Googling Indonesian restaurants in Tokyo, and Cabe showed up as the nearest.

A direct train on the Yamanote Line from Ginza to Meguro Station and 10 minutes of bracing in the sweltering heat later, we reached what looked like a residential apartment on a corner with a banner that said: Indonesian Restaurant CABE. After climbing a couple of stairs and sitting on typical Indo-style colourful plastic stools for another 10 minutes or so, we were invited to come inside.

The first thing I noticed was the decor, showcasing the rich Indonesian culture. The extensive menu was written on the chalkboard, and the place was bustling with people—locals, Gaijins, and tourists.

Eating Indonesian Food in Tokyo with Amma

I witnessed something I had never seen before—my brown mother going all out on the ordering. Usually cautious with the order, it’s the first time she’s overdoing it.

We ordered fried tofu, egg balado, chicken, rice, a side of Soto (not on the menu), and sambal.

She also told the waiter she wanted no beef in her egg dish and asked for a specific dish that wasn’t even on the menu. Amma was savage that day, but I let her roll. It’s probably the most at-home she’s felt during her time in Japan.

For drinks, Amma insisted that we all get Teh Tawar Hangat—Indonesian hot black tea with no sugar because even when it’s 40+ degrees outside, my parents prefer hot drinks. The food came to the table quickly, which was surprising given that the place was jam-packed.

The chicken and the Soto that Amma insisted they include as a side were the nicest. Other items were so-so—they could have been kicked up a notch. The thing Indonesian food usually rocks, but this Tokyo version didn’t wow me like other Indo foods I’ve had abroad.

It was good, but I was hoping for better. Good, but not comparable to other food I have eaten in Japan. Good, but it doesn’t stand a chance with Japanese cuisine surrounding it.

Maybe it’s the spices or the lack of them—especially the chili. It was:

Not spicy enough.

As per Amma’s feedback to the owner, with whom she chatted for too long while paying the bill.

A Pit Stop at Cabe while in Tokyo?

I wouldn’t shout out Cabe if you are craving Indonesian food when visiting Japan. I wouldn’t recommend it for Indonesian tourists either, though the smile plastered on Amma’s face that afternoon would suggest otherwise.

But if you’re an Indonesian living in Japan, do check it out. Even if you’re not eating in the restaurant, it’s worth a trip to refill all the comfort food you miss from Indonesia, as they have loads of Indo goodies from Indomie to Sambal Belibis.

As for me, I’m keeping my Indonesian food in Tokyo stamp-of-approval dry for now. Any spicy lover-tested recommendations on where to eat Indonesian food in Tokyo?

CABE Address: Japan, 〒141-0021 Tokyo, Shinagawa City, Kamiōsaki, 3-chōme−5−４ 第１ 田中ビル 2F

Follow me on Instagram @KultureKween for more recent updates.