Let's Have A Lunch Drive

The thing about great cafe these days, they usually don’t have too many parking spots. While we can spot the cafe in our waze, and the apps can even show the road, it never says “there will be no parking spot on your destination.” Fortunately this is not a problem anymore. If you wanna know our secret, please read ‘til the end of this posting. These are some of our favorites, where parking is considered a turn off (but doesn’t stop us from dining here).

Seulawah
Jl. Bendungan Hilir Raya No. 8, Jakarta Pusat
TEL:(021) 5708660

Plenty of Food in Seulawah

Located at the home-office rows across the Mintoharjo Navy Hospital in Benhil area, this eatery practically has no parking. While during the day you can use the space in front of it, at dinner time, the empty space is filled with street food tent and gerobak sellers. But the Acehnese food served here is claimed to be authentic by many. First in our order is Roti Canai Curry. Then come the rice and its sides: Mie Aceh Goreng with Beef and Ayam Tangkap. Wasn't exactly the perfect place for sit down and talking because Seulawah is technically a kiosk (warung if you wish), but good food still bring friends together.

Kedai Tjikini
Jl. Raya Cikini No. 17 Cikini Menteng Jakarta Pusat
TEL:(021) 39835094

Snacks and Tea

Friends recommended the Grilled Tapai (fermented rice), which is served with sweet caramel sauce. Grilled Banana (comes with cheese and chocolate toppings) is great too. If you want the sweet and savory in one plate, order the assorted gorengan (tahu, tempe and banana). The place served variety of main courses, from the traditional Indonesian dishes to the Italian lasagna. Teh Poci should definitely be ordered. This place has great coffee selection from all over Indonesia which is served in manual brew.

We’ve heard so much about this, passed Cikini many many times but never really know exactly where it is. Across from Menteng Huis, go park by the street as soon as you see a post office. It’s a one-way street so if you missed it, you have to go a long way to turn around. Don’t want to risk fighting for parking? Go park at Menteng Huis.

Passer Baroe

Who doesn’t know Passer Baroe, home to many delicious dishes. We had an adventure here, filling up our belly and bringing home many snacks. Pasar Baru (or Passer Baroe) is known for its shoes and textiles. But for some, it also means food as our parents often took us through labyrinths to find good eateries: Bakmi Aboen, Cakwe and Kue bantal by Ko Atek, and the drink kiosk on the corner.

Parking here is much better than it used to. They renovated the building and now 4th and 5th floor have spacious parking. Street parking is also plenty. The problem comes in narrow alley when we drive up to the parking lot or the roads leading to street parking. 

Parking Time

Front interior of Toyota Agya

The secret to our parking problem? We have Toyota Agya on our side. Compact and comfortable, this car is simply a lunch-saver. The Low-cost-green-car (meaning it saves your gas) is probably the most convenient hatchback out there, both in term of safety and size. Toyota Agya has dual SRS Airbag, Front Fog Lamp, Power Window, Power Door Lock and Wireless Door Lock. Powered by 3-cylinder, 12 Valves, DOHC engine, the car has 5-speed manual/automatic transmission. Full tank is 33 liters. Air-conditioner and hi-tech audio system is there to help you ease through lunch hour traffic. Larger cabin and new passenger seat model means we can include more friends in our midday drive. We’re hoping to go for a weekend lunch getaway sometime soon and can’t wait to fill the car’s trunk with our luggage.

Aceh, Seulawah and Dinner Date

What makes Seulawah interesting is that it looks like a random kiosk in the cluttered Bendungan Hilir area. Yet it turns out to be one of the best Acehnese foods we’ve ever tasted.

A failed attempted to reach a dinner gathering on a deadlocked Friday night took us to Benhil area after office hours. After contemplation, we opted for Seulawah and ordered its Roti Canai Curry right away (yes, we’re too hungry to think). You are never go wrong with Canai and Curry. Then comes Mie Aceh Goreng with Beef, Ayam Tangkap, and white rice for our real dinner. 

Fiona: Do you usually get the soup or fried?

Ruth: Whichever is fine for me.

That doesn’t solve the dilemma. But we end up with mie goreng.

Ruth: Should we still go for rice?

Fiona: Sure!

Well, that’s a lot of carbs.

Our dinner...

Canai is super crispy but it's soft inside and not too oily. Curry is really tasty, you know that very second that it's a curry with quality. Mie Aceh is really tasty too, with generous portion of beef slices, gooey (but not mushy) noodle. It's a little too oily. Ayam Tangkap, which is a fried chicken dish with lime leaves, is very fragrant and delicious. The dish will remind you to Thailand's Pandan Chicken. 

The chili mixture that comes with the dishes is great – even Fiona who usually doesn’t go for spicy food gives it a try. The dinner ends with perfect sips of Es Teh Tarik (Fiona) and Es Kopi Tarik (Ruth). We had a lot of laugh during dinner that we wondered what they put inside the chilli.

Looking around the restaurant, it wasn't the fanciest place we've ever visited. Parking is practically non-existent. Go to the nearby mini markets or hospital across the street for parking. You can also gamble for a spot on the roadside. The restaurant has no air conditioner and it’s a great thing to be ready with cash in your wallet. ATM (in care you need it) is available at convenience stores around the area.

One thing to note is that Seulawah tend to run out of food when it’s late. Come right on dinner time (around  7PM) to make sure you can enjoy the dishes. The place is popular with mostly office workers but there’s no problem on getting a table. Pick the one far back and you’ll get enough light for your Instagram picture.

Where is this?
Seulawah
JL. Bendungan Hilir No. 9, 

Depan Rumah Sakit AL Mintoharjo, Jakarta Pusat
(021) 5708660