Indonesian food was my first proper meal during my recent trip to Auckland. It got me thinking, when did I start becoming one of those who insist on eating their home-country food when travelling? I traced my travels and Indonesian food trails around the globe; an evening came to mind. I was in Zurich with my cousins, and one of them suggested Indonesian food. Though the other two, myself included, semi-protested it at first (because why would we eat Indonesian food when we were flying back to Indonesia in a week or so?!), we ended up having Indonesian food for lunch and dinner on that day. Thus, my curiosity about Indonesian food (and Indian food) in foreign lands was born.
So far, the “research” on Indonesian food in foreign countries has been somewhat successful. And for someone who can’t survive without rice for more than a few days at a time, it’s also a good excuse:
I got to eat Indonesian food in (insert country) for the blog!
It’s the same reason I told myself when I climbed the hilly roads of Auckland CBD to find It’s Java, an Indonesian restaurant in Auckland with the highest Google review points.
It’s Java Indonesian Restaurant in Auckland
Located on the main road of Grey Lynn, It’s Java was pretty easy to find (though pretty hard to walk to, no thanks to the hilly paths of Auckland CBD). I had a bit of reservation when I stepped inside because it was empty during the late-lunch time. However, soon after, a lady appeared behind the counter and gave me the menu.
Man, It’s Java doesn’t f around! They have an extensive menu, from Orek Tempe (stir-fried tempeh in sweet soy sauce) to Sayur Plecing (veggies with Balinese sambal and a sprinkle of peanuts), from street food to Rijstaffel, from rice to Rawon and from Javanese to Balinese dishes.
The menu convinced me that the Indonesian food would be good. The problem was that I wanted to try all of them! I was torn between Gulai Tahu (tofu curry), Bakso (street-style meatballs soup), Bubur Ayam (chicken porridge) and all kinds of mixed rice dishes.
It’s Java Nasi Pedas
Ultimately, I settled for Nasi Pedas (spicy rice), just because it was rare to see it on an Indonesian restaurant menu outside of Bali. And for the drink, I got Kopi Aren (coffee, palm sugar and coconut milk), again for the same reason I had never had it outside of Indonesia.
Happy to report back that the food in It’s Java was A+, and so was the service. My spicy rice dish was an Indonesian-level spicy. It came with enough side dishes (Betutu chicken, spicy fried noodles, spicy omelette, Sayur Plecing, peanuts and colourful crackers) that two people could easily share. They also provided sambal and sweet soy sauce on each table, two essential condiments of Indonesian street food.
I left It’s Java high and happy, with a box of Kue Salju to munch back in the hotel. I am coming back, and you need to check it out the next time you are in Auckland.
Indonesian Food Around the World series: A Cheat Sheet for Indonesian Food in London / Rijsttafel-ing Indonesian Food in Amsterdam / Indonesia Food in Zurich My Most Expensive Meal in Switzerland / Authentic Indonesian Food in Seoul at Bakso Bejo Korea / It’s Java Authentic Indonesian Street Food in Auckland / Makan A Celebration of Indonesian Cuisine in Melbourne / Rasa Rosa A So So Indonesian Food in Canberra / Indonesian Restaurants in Cairns.
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