Otaru Soba Udon • 오타루소바우동

Ended up at Otaru Soba Udon (오타루소바우동) one day when I was exploring Mullae-dong (문래동) and had a sudden cold soba craving for dinner. Found this restaurant among the search results I got for soba restaurant around the area and the place seemed to have great reviews. What really sold me though was their Fried Chicken Cold Soba (닭튀김냉소바) menu which is super interesting because I usually have my cold soba with tempura, so pairing it with a fried chicken was pretty new to me.

So then I head to Otaru Soba Udon (오타루소바우동) for my dinner. The restaurant is pretty spacious decorated with wooden interior and furnitures. I ordered their Fried Chicken Cold Soba (닭튀김냉소바). The soba was garnished with tamago, crab meat, clam meat, grated radish, lettuce, and green onions. The fried chicken was served with fried lotus chips on the side. The soba was cooked well and has a nice, firm texture. It’s easy to slurp and bite off with that spaghetti-like texture. The cold broth is seasoned well, not too salty, light and refreshing. The fried chicken was really nice too. Super crispy skin on the outside with juicy meat on the inside. And it actually works well together with the cold soba. Overall, I really enjoyed the meal.

 

Otaru Soba Udon • 오타루소바우동

Address: 서울 영등포구 도림로 491-2
Telephone: 02-2634-5460
Hours: Monday to Saturday 11:30-21:30 | Close on Sundays

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Fujin Izakaya x Honest Spoon

Went to Fujin Izakaya last weekend to try their new dessert collaboration with Honest Spoon. Having drove by this restaurants multiple times in the past, this was actually my first time visiting the place. The Japanese inspired restaurant interior features an open kitchen where you can see the chefs in action as well as a bar section on the other side along with sectioned tables that give privacy to the diners.

In collaboration with Honest Spoon, they crafted 2 special ice cream flavors inspired by the traditional taste of Japan, the Sencha Furikake Crunch and White Chocolate Miso Caramel Cookie. They sell it in a 8oz tub (available at Fujin Izakaya & Honest Spoon Cikajang outlet) as well as the Melonpan ice cream version which available exclusively only at Fujin Izakaya (until Aug 21).

I’ve actually been a fan of Honest Spoon’s ice cream since the first time my cousin sent me a couple of tubs to try a while back (the white rabbit and earl grey flavors got me hooked the first time around). And when I saw this new flavors, I was definitely intrigued by the unique names and glad I got to try them.

The Sencha Furikake Crunch is made out of sencha ice cream topped with nori flakes and crunchy sesame. If you’re a fan of Japanese tea and sesame (or feeling more adventurous with your flavor choice), definitely try the Sencha Furikake Crunch. The sencha was strong, giving that earthy bitter tea flavor, yet balanced with the sweet crunch sesame as well as hints of savory note from the nori flakes. And it also works really well with the slightly sweet and softer melonpan. Super unique flavor and I really enjoyed it.

The White Chocolate Miso Caramel Cookie is made out of white chocolate ice cream topped with miso caramel cookie and sauce. If you prefer something sweeter (or more familiar flavor), then try the White Chocolate Miso Caramel Cookie. The white chocolate flavor was pretty dominant on this one and the texture was nicely balanced with the crunchy cookie crumble toppings. This flavor also works well with the melonpan and definitely a safer option between the two.

After tasting the two, I definitely think that the Sencha Furikake Crunch is more unique but all and all, both of them are good. Honest spoon usually came up with great unique flavors and this time it’s no different. Anyways, next time I visit Fujin Izakaya, maybe I’ll try more than their dessert. Heard good things about the food of this place too.

 

Fujin Izakaya

Address: Jl. Gunawarman No.21, South Jakarta, 12110, Indonesia
Telephone: +62 21 27513030
Hours: Everyday 11.00 - 24.00

Instagram: @fujin_izakaya

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The Chinese National

The Chinese National (TCN) is an elegant Cantonese restaurant located on the 7th floor of the Swissôtel Jakarta PIK Avenue. The menu of the restaurant focuses on highlighting the authentic taste of Cantonese cuisine, created by its executive chef from Malaysia, Kong Fook Sin. From Peking Duck ritual, hand-pulled lamians, freshly made dim sum to tea lounge turns bar by night, The Chinese National offers a wide range of dishes cooked with fresh, high-quality ingredients as well as a wide array of drink selections.

The restaurant also has one of the most impressive interior design in Jakarta. The Chinese National’s interior was commissioned to EDG, a Singapore-based design firm who designed the space around the concept of the ‘Four Great Inventions of Ancient China’, which are the compass, gunpowder, paper, and printing. Each of these inventions was then translated to four different conceptual spaces around the spacious restaurant, creating a unique dining experience for visiting patrons.

Iron Needle

Iron Needle is an interpretation of a dumpling and noodle shop that’s inspired by the iconic stacked apartments in Hong Kong and traditional Chinese tea houses.

Letterpress

Letterpress is a tea lounge by day that transforms into a bar by night which has its own hidden entrance for patrons who wish to visit the bar without walking through the restaurant.

Black Powder Red

Black Powder Red is a Sichuan restaurant inspired by the Art Deco, obvious by the use of aged materials, corrosive details, copper and metal around the space. Sichuan cuisines that use lots of chili and garlic which usually create an explosion in your mouth certainly is fitting for the gun powder concept they’re basing the space off of.

Paperduck

Paperduck is a sophisticated modern Peking duck restaurant inspired by the process of paper making. Elegant paper details, brass and marble materials were used in the design of the place, giving the space the most luxurious feel out of the four sections in the restaurant.

The Ambience

I had a chance to finally visit this place a couple of weeks ago. Prior to my visit, I’ve seen photos of the restaurant posted on social media quite a bit. But after my visit, as much as impressive the place looks on photos, being there in person was a different kind of experience. The restaurant is really well-designed with a solid concept, excellent use of space, and attention to detail. There are a couple of articles out there that talk about the concept, the thinking and design process that went into this project (you can read about them on these articles here, here, and here) and these are a very interesting read. I personally appreciate the space more after I read about the concept of the place. If you’re into interior design and architecture, I would definitely recommend you to check this place out.

The Food

Eating Chinese food has always reminds me of family meals that I had when I was a kid. My parents used to make family dinner mandatory when I was growing up. So everyday, we’d sat down together and went around the table and talked about our day while eating our dinner which usually mainly consists of Chinese cuisines. The food that I had at The Chinese National reminded me of those times. It tasted familiar and comforting yet better and elevated at the same time. There’s a certain level of finesse to the dishes that I tried that certainly made my dining experience a pleasant one.

Salted Egg Shrimp Vaname (138k) | 9/10

Let’s start with my favorite dish of the night, the salted egg shrimp vaname. The light batter coating the shrimp was crispy, giving a nice contrast to the softer texture of the shrimp. The shrimp was fresh and cooked to perfection, hitting that firm texture yet still soft and juicy. The amount of salted egg coating each piece of the shrimp was just the right amount, giving you a nice salted egg flavor while still letting the shrimp shines without being overpowered by the sauce. I ate it with hot steamy rice and they tasted so good.

Roasted Pork Belly (138k) | 8/10

The roasted pork belly came in perfect bite-size pieces. The meat is pretty lean, with layers of fat here and there. The pork skin is nice, thin and crispy. Overall, eating this felt like eating a cleaner (read: not too oily/greasy) version of roasted pork belly.

Deep Fried Chicken with Green Chili (138k) | 7.5/10

The chicken was cooked nicely with crispy skin. The highlight of this dish really is the green chili, which gave it more character to the overall dish. I don’t eat chili very much but I did try eating the chicken with and without the green chili. Eating it with the green chili definitely makes the dish taste more special. (If you just eat the fried chicken itself, it tastes good, but it’s just like any other good deep fried chicken that I’ve tasted before.)

Sautéed Mushroom Chinese Spinach (60k) | 9/10

Another dish that I thoroughly enjoyed was their sautéed mushroom Chinese spinach. The vegetables were cooked perfectly and seasoned well. The garlic gave a nice savory taste combined with the earthy tone from the mushroom. A simple dish, but the execution was really well-done.

Mango Pomelo Sago (58k) | 7/10

For dessert, I tried the Mango Pomelo Sago. The mango was sweet, balanced with the sour note from the strawberry. A nice, refreshing dessert to end you meal.

The Experience

Service was really good. The food came in a timely manner. The waiters were friendly and attentive. Health protocol was also strictly practiced with all the waiters wearing double masks at all times. I sat at the Paperduck area which was really nice and pleasant. (If I were to nitpick) The only thing that seemed to be out of place during my visit was the music that was playing when me and my friend were there. I don’t know if it was for our benefit that they played what seems to be a top 100 viral pop songs playlist (we were the only one there when we got there, so maybe they’re trying to cater to us with the music?), but I personally think that it’d be better if the music matches the ambience of the place. Other than that, I had a really great time during my visit and definitely recommend this place if you’re looking for a good Cantonese restaurant in North Jakarta area.

 

The Chinese National

Address: Pantai Indah Kapuk St, RT.6/RW.2, Kamal Muara, Penjaringan, Jakarta, 14460, Indonesia
Telephone: +62 21 22571188
Hours: Everyday 12.00-15.00 & 18.00-22.00
Menu

Instagram: @thechinesenational

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Miss Lee Cafe • 별다방미스리

Miss Lee Cafe (별다방미스리) first gained its popularity because its frequent appearances on Korean TV shows. Its popularity peaked after an episode of the Korean variety show “We Got Married” aired, featuring Yong Hwa (CNBLUE) and Seo Hyun (Girls’ Generation and TTS) having a date at their Insadong branch.

Aside from media appearances, Miss Lee Cafe is also famous for their old school dosirak which consists of rice topped with pink sausage (분홍소세지), egg, seaweed and kimchi served in tinplate lunch box with a side of seaweed soup. This old school dosirak is actually something that is very nostalgic to people who grew up in the 1970s. Back then, classrooms in Korea usually have a large radiator in the middle of the room that served as the central heating unit. The radiator was also used to warmed up lunch boxes (thus the use of tinplate lunch box). Also, before you eat, don’t forget to put the cover lid and shake it until all the ingredients are mixed well together. That’s how you’re suppose to enjoy a proper dosirak.

The menu at Miss Lee Cafe revolves around Korean food, snacks, as well as desserts but with a twist. From tteokbokki (떡볶이), yanggaeng (양갱), to bingsu (빙수), you can find a good selections of Korean traditional food on this nostalgic school-love themed café.

I personally have been here a couple of times during my first couple of visits to Seoul. Now, with the many newer cafes that have popped up in Seoul, this place might not be as popular as it used to (at least amongst tourists) but I think it’s a fun place to go to, especially if you want to try the old school dosirak.

Note: These photos were taken at their Samcheongdong branch, which now has closed. If you want to go for a visit, their Insadong branch is still open (see the address below). The interior concept is pretty much the same, but just with a different layout.

 

Miss Lee Cafe Insadong • 별다방미스리 인사동점

Address: 서울 종로구 인사동길 59 2층 별다방미스리
Telephone: 0507-1403-0939
Hours: Mon-Fri 12:00-19:00 | Sat & Sun 12:00-20:00

Instagram: @missleecafe

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Tartine Coffee Bar at RYSE Hotel • 타르틴 베이커리 RYSE호텔점

Tartine Coffee Bar is located at the lobby of the designer lifestyle hotel, RYSE Hotel in Hongdae. It is one of the six locations that the famous Bay Area bakery opened in Seoul after its expansion to South Korea in 2018. Tartine Coffee Bar offers a more limited menu compared to their other branches in Seoul but still covering the basic for their pastries and coffee selections.

Other than the fact that I’ve known Tartine makes great pastries since I was living in the Bay Area, I personally first came to this location to check out their interior design because it’s quite different than their other branches since it follows more of RYSE Hotel’s design concept. The space is modern, unique and definitely stylish. If you’re looking for a cafe with good coffee and pastries selections and nice interior in Hongdae, this place is definitely worth checking out.

Note: Photos were taken before the pandemic.

 

Tartine Coffee Bar at Ryse Hotel • 타르틴 베이커리 RYSE호텔점

Address: 서울 마포구 양화로 130 Ryse 호텔 1층
Telephone: 02-324-9400
Hours: Everyday 08:00 - 20:00

Instagram: @tartinebakeryseoul

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