Sunday, November 23, 2014

Where To Get Authentic Thai Food in Jakarta

Thai cooking is all about preparation and choosing the right ingredients. In Thailand, frozen or canned food is not so common. Thais adore the idea of getting all of their ingredients fresh – as fresh as possible, in fact! Thailand is among the blessed countries on the planet when it comes to exotic fruit, neat vegetables and excellent seafood. The scrumptious meals of this country can now also be savored in Jakarta, Indonesia – the culinary capital of Indonesia.

Ingredients of Thai Cuisine

It is the ingredients that make Thai cooking authentic. Finding fresh Thai ingredients is easy no matter where you live in the world – and especially easy in Asia. In Indonesia, it is very rare to have to get canned products of Thai ingredients, as the climates of the two countries are relatively similar. Freshly grated ginger is one example of a delicious spice that is added to a majority of Thai dishes and is readily available all over Indonesia.

Cooking to Your Flavor

The art of Thai cooking relies on the very harmonious blending of key ingredients even if they vary in their freshness. Without this harmony, the flavor of the dish tends to fall short of the expectations of Thai food connoisseurs. The five elements of taste in Thai food are as follow: sweet, spicy, sour, salty and bitter.

When cooking Thai dishes, experienced chefs tend to use recipes only as guidelines, as there are many possible ways to prepare the same dish. Also, flavor varies for every person, so it can be difficult to please everyone in the same way. For example, when it comes to curry fish sauces and pastes, some brands are saltier than others. Fortunately, it is easy to modify a recipe once done - if it is too sour, add a bit of water, sugar or more fish sauce!

Top choices for chefs who are experienced in the art of preparing Thai cuisine in Jakarta include Jittlada Thai Cuisine Grand Indonesia, Horapa Seafood & Thai Kitchen, Blue Elephant Menteng and King of Thai Restaurant. However, your search doesn’t have to end with these four, there are literally hundreds of other selections offering very authentic Thai food.

Fried Rice & Coconut Milk


Fried rice will almost inevitably accompany any dish you order at a Thai restaurant. The rice is always well cooked, but is never mushy or too soft, causing it to stick together. Some chefs keep rice in a refrigerator for 2-3 days to prevent it from getting too mushy. Another common ingredient is fresh coconut milk, which is often squeezed until dry, before warm water is added to create a second and third pressed kind of coconut milk, also known as "Hang Ka Ti."

Monday, November 17, 2014

Got a Taste for Japanese Food?

When people think of a Japanese restaurant, they automatically think of sushi. However, Japanese cuisine is so much more than raw fish dishes. There are a variety of tastes, methods of preparation, and regional favorites that make the food varied and vibrant. 

If you have a taste for Japanese food, there are several places worth trying in Jakarta, including Enmaru- Altitude. Here are some of the foods that you will find on their menu:


Appetizers

The restaurant offers an extensive list of hot and cold appetizers to select from. From the cold options, try Tsukemono Moriawase, which is the chef’s pick of 3 different Japanese pickles. The Enmaru potato salad with spicy maguro is homemade, topped with a spicy tuna, and definitely worth a try.

From the hot apps, try the Tebasaki Aama Kara Age, a dish of deep fried chicken wings in a sweet and spicy dressing. Another unique option is Maguro Tatsuta Age Dabu Dabu Sauce, which is deep friend marinated tuna with Dabu Dabu sauce.

The Main Dishes

This Jakarta restaurant offers an extensive menu of fresh and delicious main courses, including seafood, grilled beef and pork, noodle dishes, and much more. For those in the mood for something a bit lighter, there are soups like Aka Dashi and Shiro Dashi.

Sushi is always an excellent choice, and the offerings here do not disappoint. You can order the classic California roll, Spicy Tuna, Crispy Salmon, and Enmaru roll, just to name a few.  For big appetites, try the T-bone steak, Wagyu sirloin steak, or the Rib eye steak prepared with US prime meat.


If you’re looking for an authentic Japanese menu in a place with breathtaking views, Enmaru- Altitude is the spot to go. It’s situated on the 46th floor of the Plaza Tower in Thamrin, and the floor to ceiling windows only enhance an already sophisticated and stylish atmosphere. From sushi to steak to soups, you will surely not be disappointed. 

Thursday, November 13, 2014

Where To Find The Perfect Beef Burger

Some of us cringe when we see things like a quinoa burger, veggie burger, or tofu burger.  Other meat alternatives like turkey or lamb can turn out to be great-tasting alternatives to the classic beef burger.  The hamburger is an American art form.  It’s best served as unadulterated as possible.  While ethnic infusions are welcomed, a good restaurant should never outshine the star of the show.  If you do come across a restaurant in Jakarta serving mostly bun and toppings, it might be a sign that they are trying to hide something.

The Perfect Atmosphere

Oftentimes the best burger can be found in the most modest of places.  Step into the iconic Downtown Bistro, where you can relive the 1940’s boom of Americana and classic dining.  Simply the best place to hold a family outing, a business meeting, or weekend out with your friends, Downtown Bistro in Jakarta is the place to be.


The décor is memorable, with a big beautiful water fountain on display, a great mix of light, fun music, and an amazing menu to satisfy any-sized appetite.  Get your cup of Joe, a healthy lunch, or an evening of platters that offer amazing value for the selection of food.

This is the exact type of atmosphere one looks for to enjoy a good beef burger.  The best burgers cause one to lose consciousness for a minute, eyes closed, noises drowned out, and senses heightened while you savor every bite.  You should never judge diner or restaurant by its cover.

Beef Burger Connoisseur

For those who aren’t burger experts or eat beef burgers regularly, there are some tips you can arm yourself with to ensure you’re getting the best experience that you can possibly control on the customer-side.  For example, when ordering your beef burgers, always get them medium or medium-rare, preferably.  You should never allow the chef to cook your burger well-done.  The flavor is burned out of the beef, replaced with inedible gristle, and dried out like a sponge.  Over-grilling is another tactic used to hide bad beef, possibly pre-made frozen patties.

If you can find a burger restaurant in Jakarta that serves Kobe beef burgers, then you may struck hamburger gold.  Organic burgers are superior in both taste and healthiness.  American eating doesn’t always have to mean messy, fatty beef with greasy sides and sugary deserts.  Give the Downtown Bistro of Jakarta a try and you’ll see why it’s one of the most popular restaurants in the heart of Jakarta.

Sunday, October 26, 2014

How to Get the Ultimate Sushi Dining Experience

Traditional seafood often emphasizes the freshness of the daily catch, along with vegetables readily available from the store. The Japanese know this very well, being seafaring island based people for centuries.

Japanese cuisine is the perfect example of seafood in its most pure form. It places an emphasis on the balance between the land and the water, tying in staple food crops such as rice and root vegetables and bringing in delicacies from the Pacific such as seaweed and freshly caught tuna.

Here are some of the ways to ensure you have the best sushi experience possible while going to a Japanese restaurant.

Make sure all ingredients are fresh

In this instance, that means nothing has been overly processed. Freezing and thawing, freshly caught fish does not change their designation, since it serves a vital health role in preventing diseases and parasites from harming restaurant goers.

A good example is to see if the restaurant uses fresh rice, or reconstituted instant rice.

Check with the local health authority before going


A clean restaurant will serve higher quality food than one that is barely passing its health inspections. All major cities have well-staffed health departments whose goal is to insure that visitors and locals alike do not become ill.

If in doubt, ask your waiter when the last time an inspection was carried out, and what the results were. If they do not know, head somewhere else.

Check for online reviews



People talk about everything under the sun. When visiting a city for the first time, go to local messaging boards and see what the locals recommend. You may find that the perfect sushi bar may be located not in a tourist trap, but a sleepy suburb ten minutes out of town.

Tuesday, October 14, 2014

Menu Best Picks from Jakarta Restaurants

Finding the best restaurant Jakarta can offer takes time and research. This is a massive place that has numerous types of cuisine available. The foods will get your taste buds dancing, your mind and heart racing, and your feet running to the entrance to get a plate for yourself. Of course, that is if you can find the restaurant that appeals to you the most. 

To find restaurants, you need to figure out what it is you really want. Once you have an idea of what will appeal to you, you can start narrowing down the list. Whether you want a sushi bar or a steak house, a family restaurant or a burger restaurant, there is something here to get you happy and in the eating mood.

The Twenty8

For one of the best restaurants in Jakarta, check out The Twenty8. Here, you have foods that explore the continent, giving you multiple types of dishes. They are each beautifully plated and served, and they give you the types of flavors that you never imagined was possible. Delicious, beautiful, and pieces of the world come together, Twenty8 does not fail to impress or deliver. You are going to find yourself wanting more of this food the moment that you leave the place.

Dapur Babah

Another fantastic restaurant in Jakarta is Dapur Babah. It is a collision of East and West, and the result is stunning. You have the best of both worlds under this one roof, creating a new experience that your taste buds will not soon forget. The influences show up in nearly every aspect of this restaurant and help to give it its own personality, taste, and unique twist that you are not going to find elsewhere.

Salt Grill

One Jakarta restaurant that everyone has to check out is Salt Grill. Australian cuisine at its finest, this restaurant offers a large and mouthwatering menu that perfectly complements elegant décor. You have all of the flavors and foods that make Australian cuisine outstanding, and all handled by professional chefs who excel at what they do.

Rosso


Of course, if you are trying to find the best restaurant Jakarta can offer, you cannot forget Rosso. An Italian restaurant that creates splendid dishes for both the eyes and stomach, Rosso does not sacrifice quality in any area. Anyone trying to have a luxurious, comforting meal will find themselves falling in love with this place. You cannot find restaurant quality like this in many other places.

Thursday, April 24, 2014

Differences Between Gourmet Burgers And Fast Food Burgers

What is one of the most popular, most purchased foods in the world? The burger! Most everyone enjoys having a hot, juicy hamburger or cheeseburger every once in a while. You can grill your own burgers at your home, or, like so many people, you can go to a restaurant and have a burger prepared for you. There are so many choices of where to go to eat, from fast food such as McDonald’s or Burger King, to upscale restaurants like Tavern on the Green. A wide range of burgers exists also, from fast food to gourmet burgers.


There are many differences between gourmet and fast food burgers. Fast food burgers are normally uniformly shaped, highly processed, inexpensive, easy to eat while on the run, and high in fat and salt content. Meat of questionable origins and quality is often used for fast food burgers. They are usually prepared with the common condiments of ketchup, mustard, and mayo, and served on a basic white bun. American cheese normally graces a fast food cheeseburger, and sometimes lettuce and onions may be used as toppings. The most “exotic” toppings I have heard of on a fast food burger are onion rings, French fries, and barbecue sauce.

Gourmet burgers are much more expensive than fast food burgers, but are well worth the extra cost. A variety of meats is used for gourmet burgers, such as beef, chicken, venison, lamb, turkey, salmon, crab meat, shrimp, and even bison. For veggie lovers, patties can be made from Portobello mushrooms or other vegetables. The patties are normally hand-ground, such as the burgers at The Daily Grind Bangsar. Instead of the patties always being presented on a basic bun, gourmet burgers come on a variety of breads, including English muffins, flat breads, and lettuce wraps.

The variety of toppings for gourmet burgers seems endless and quite intriguing. Exotic, unique flavors, and creative combinations grace many gourmet burgers. Starting with the cheese on a cheeseburger, gourmet burgers go far beyond the fast food standard of American cheese. Some cheeses I have seen on gourmet burgers are mozzarella, feta, pepper jack, blue cheese, Gorgonzola, and ricotta. After the cheese, a plethora of flavorful toppings are available. Some innovative toppings are fried eggs, pineapple, avocado, olives, onion cranberry jam, cheese fondue, basil pine nut pesto, chicken liver pate, pickled red onions, pickled cucumber, grilled eggplant, yogurt, sprouts, celery, and even mint. The possibilities seem to be endless!

Even the condiments for gourmet burgers far outshine those for fast food burgers. Instead of the basic ketchup, mustard, and mayo, you can experience sour cream, aioli, wasabi mayo, and special homemade ketchup and mustard.


Try a gourmet burger today, and indulge in a tastier, healthier option. 

Friday, March 14, 2014

Shin Tokyo Sushi : What’s on the Menu?

Craving for something that can satisfy your taste buds but you cannot afford to go out in your office or house? Then you can try this authentic Japanese food that can surely make your tummy full and happy. Shin Tokyo Sushi can solve your dilemma regarding Japanese Sushi food craving without going outside your home just to eat. Shin Tokyo Sushi offers sushi delivery to the people who crave for their famous and delicious foods.

One of the most favorite Japanese foods is Sushi.  Even other nationalities are being captured by the delicious taste of Sushi. It is a Japanese dish known that has rice and sushi vinegar inside of it. Shin Tokyo Sushi can provide you sushi delivery in your offices and house. Here are variants of Sushi that you can choose and let Shin Sushi Tokyo deliver it straight to your office and house:

  • Nigiri. You will love this type of sushi because it has many ingredients. It is a sushi with small rice balls, tuna, shellfish, shrimp, squid, eel, and fried egg.
  • Gunkan. It is a small cup made up of sushi rice and dried seaweed, different kind of sea foods. There are some many varieties of Gunkanzushi. You will like this sushi because of the fresh ingredients used in preparing the sushi.
  • Norimaki. It is rolled sushi rice and dry seaweed sheets. There are also many varieties of Temaki sushi in terms of the ingredients and thickness of the sushi. The sushi rolls prepared inside and out. It is a type of sushi which rarely found in Japan. It will satisfy your food craving for Japanese cuisine.
  • Temaki. It is a sushi literally cone shaped made of Nori seaweed and filled with sushi rice, vegetable and different seafood. This type of sushi will not just satisfy your food craving but also your eyes because this type of sushi is served with a attractive design.
  • Oshizushi. It is a pressed type sushi. The fish is pressed into the sushi rice using a wooden box. If you love fish then you will surely like this sushi. The taste of fish inside the sushi is definitely appetizing
  • Inari. It is a simple type of sushi. The sushi rice is filled with Aburagee a deep fried tofu. Although it is s simple sushi you will surely love the taste of the tofu added in the sushi rice.
  • Chirashi. It is a sushi in which seafood, vegetable and mushroom is spread over sushi rice. This sushi is also a very attractive type of sushi.
Shin Tokyo Sushi can definitely give you a very satisfying taste of the different variants of sushi. You do not even need to go outside because you can just order sushi delivery online.