Smiling Faces at Sumire Yakitori House Singapore

The simple yet real friendly Yakitori restaurant called Sumire Yakitori House in Bugis has received a lot of praises from the local media. So on a chance to visit Singapore, we decided to give this local favorite a try. 

This is Ruth's adventure in Singapore.

My brother said it was good and he brought us to try Sumire Yakitori House. It's a great alternative to the usual food courts and kopitiams we usually frequented on our trip to Singapore. The restaurant is easy to find because it's on the same block with Bugis Junction. While it's listed as one of the mall's tenant, the entrance is outside and facing the street. As soon as we enter, we were pointed out a booth near the back. A convenient for us, who comes in a family of six. 

Despite all the menu placed on the table, advertising their lunch set and combos, there is an iPad for you to order. The process is quite simple, all you have to do is select the items you want to try and start placing them in the "cart". Similar to what you do when you're doing online shopping. You can also review the food, with enlarged pictures and description as you decide. Just don' forget to confirm your order, otherwise they won't arrive on your table.
Complimentary cabbage salad comes first. Then the enormous Bakudan Korokke (SGD8.90), a homemade potato croquette. It tastes like potato salad, hidden inside a large breaded and fried ball. Taste really yummy. You can actually order this and Yakitori if you want to skip the rice. 

Bakudan Korokke

But I wouldn't recommend doing that because their Stamina Don is beyond delicious. The menu calls it "stir fry pork belly rice with homemade ginger sauce and raw egg yolk" (SGD9.90). I call it tasty thin-sliced pork over a warm rice. It needs to be mixed properly before you eat. But if pork isn't on your list, then Tori Soboro Don (chicken minced rice with poached egg, SGD9.90) should be on top of your list. 

Tori Soboro Don

Stamina Don

But the best thing about this place is the yakitori, better known as satay to those living in Southeast Asia. You can get technically everything on skewers here, from broccoli, asparagus and enoki to sushi, shishito and avocado. But we stayed away from the unique skewers and stayed on the meat side of the grill.

Left to Right: Pork belly with Oroshi Ponzu Sauce,
Bonjiri with salt and Momo with Teriyaki Sauce

Pork belly with Oroshi Ponzu Sauce (SGD3.20). Grated raddish with salty and sour sauce is placed on top of the pork. The ponzu sauce can be acquired taste for some. So if you're unsure, I'd suggest you'd go with the regular shio. Momo (chicken thigh meat) in teriyaki sauce and Bonjiri (chicken tail) in shio or salt are SGD2.90 each. They both taste great. Somewhat reminds you of a fancier version of the satay stall on the street. 

Just like the name, Sumire, the Japanese pronunciation of "smile", the food does bring smile to our face. So, we went home satisfied and it stays on until later that night. 

Where is this?
Sumire Yakitori House 
80 Middle Road #01-88/89 Singapore 188966
Tel: +65 6338 9963
http://www.sumire.com.sg/

Noodle, Cakwe and Ice Kedondong at Pasar Baru

Let's call this "Fast and Furious". We made it to Pasar Baru and back in record time, even though that means we have to use taxi to cut short parking time. We were a little nervous while going there, not sure we can be back before our bosses started to look for their missing employees.

The noddle making process at Bakmi Aboen

Pasar Baru (or Passer Baroe) has been a shopping destination, especially known for its shoes and textiles. Built in 1820, this place is the oldest shopping centers in Jakarta. But for some Jakartans like us, Pasar Baru also means food as our parents often took us through labyrinths to find a good eatery. So, as we navigate through the modern Pasar Baru, half of us was reminiscing our childhood memories... the other half was, well, hungry.

Bakmi A Boen is located in the end of an alleyway

1. Bakmi Aboen
Jl. Pintu Air 5 No. 55G, Pasar Baru, Jakarta Pusat
Bakmi Aboen is our main destination. If you walk on the famous Gang Kelinci (it's really a small alleyway for pedestrian only), you'll end up finding a noodle kiosk with a historical look. We both been here with out families since way back in time so it wasn't that hard to find the shop.

We ordered right on the cashier.
Ruth: Pork Noodle (22k) and Beef Meatballs (10k)
Fiona: Pork Locupan (22k)
We're sharing: Pork Shumai (half portion - 2pcs, 13k), Pork Sui Kiaw (23k) and Fried meatballs (half portion - 2pcs, 11k).

Despite its owners missing from the noodle station and the cashier, Bakmi Aboen stays the same. Serving the exact taste as we remembered from our childhood. The gooey-textured noodle comes with savory pork meat and crunchy pork fat. it's a crunch in every bite. The slimy Locupan is perfect as it is but the mushroom and pork topping are irresistable.

Fried meatballls (a.k.a. Bakso Goreng) is made with plenty of meat and it barely land on our table. The first one to go right after photoshoot. Eat them plain or with the spicy & sour sauce. Pork shumai came in gigantic portion, a great thing we only order half. But nothing beats the Sui Kiaw, served with generous fillings and perfect skin. The extra crunch encouraged us to eat more. We're full, but we have other mission to go, so we need to get going.


2. Cakwe Ko Atek
This old man is special. He was making the Cakwe and Kue Bantal (let's call it pillow cake?) with all smiles. Wearing a T-shirt that said "Thailand", his small stall is decorated with his travelling picture. If you're going to Aboen, you definitely will see Ko Atek's stall and smell the freshly fried snack. He's been there since 1971 (Google said).

Fiona: I think it's the same old man.
Ruth: Are you sure? It's probably his son.
Fiona: He doesn't age. I think he's immortal.

Immortal or not, his Cakwe is unforgettable. He let us peeked into the process, how Cakwe started with small blob of flour to an arm-length when fried. We bought 4 Kue Bantal (that's what's left) and 6 Cakwe. All comes to Rp30k\ (the snack is Rp6k each).

We got an extra Cakwe from Ko Atek. He sent us off with smiles.

3. Fresh Drink
Turning right twice from the alleyway, returning to the main Pasar Baru road, you'll see the fresh drinks stall. A great thirst-quencher for the day. Different kind of cold drinks are placed in transparent plastic containers, each we have to explain if you're not familiar with Indonesian drinks:

Es Liang Teh Medan: Chinese Herbal Tea, some made it from chrysanthemum, others with sunflower, rosebuds and adding a touch of licorice. The Medan version is said to be made of chrysanthemum and palm/rock sugar/honey.
Es Kedondong: the English term for this fruit including Ambarella or Great Hog Plum
Es Cincau: Grass Jelly
Es Cendol: Wiki said it's "green starched jelly noodles with pandan flavouring, served with palm sugar and coconut milk."
Es Kacang Hijau: Mung bean
Es Kelapa: Young coconut. 

We ordered for the sour sweet Es Kedondong (Rp8k) which was a great choice to neutralize the taste. We were hoping to see Ice Soursop though.

This is Ice Kedodong -- green, sour but sweet and refreshing

4. Kulit Tahu Goreng
After giving up for not finding the fried tofu skin, one of the things Ruth aimed for when we departed, we spotted the seller right when we're about to go out for taxi. We bought the big pack, salted one (Rp25k).

Well, that's out journey. Believe it or not, we managed to finish the mission in 1,5 hours, returning right on time with happy tummy.

Mission Accomplished!