A Joyful Trip Back to Indo Tempeh Christchurch

Welcome to Indo Tempeh, Christchurch 

Hi everyone...

Welcome back dan semoga semua sehat - sehat selalu yaaa.

Now that we're back to Jakarta, Indonesia, I would like to share more stories and experience while we were living and exploring Aotearoa, New Zealand. I realized that I haven't really share that much, not as much as the memories that we take home from there.

One of the them is when we managed to visit Christchurch and hunt for Indonesian food. Yes, food from home is always comforting and that is why whenever I can, I always look for them or make them at home. 

Mba Nana, the owner, and I..

In Christchurch, we have many Indonesians residing there so naturally, we also have many Indonesian restaurant there. Welcome (back) to Indo Tempeh, my number 1 go-to Indonesian food corner whenever I come to Christchurch.

Nasi Rendang, anyone..

Indo Tempeh is located in Riverside Market, Christchurch,- pretty much in the city center. The restaurant serves halal, authentic Indonesian food, including vegan menu. As it is strategically located in the Riverside market, many visitors can easily come and stop by.

Whenever we come to Christchurch, - in my case, I came here 5 times during my stay in Aotearoa, New Zealand, - we also stop by here. I even brought many food from here back to Wellington and bring extra during our road trip in the South Island.

I really like the food here. Not only that they are delicious, the menu are halal and authentic as well. As you can see from some of the photos, there are so many wonderful menus being offered. 

Mixed green & yellow rice with crispy fried chicken and Tempe bacem, my favorite 

Here we can have beef rendang, ayam kremes (deep fried chicken with crunchy battered eggs and flour), sayur nangka, risoles, and many more. As you can see, since they mainly produce tempe or soybean cake, various tempe cooked in many ways (sweet, spicy, and/or deeply fried with crunchy flour) are also available. In addition, you can also enjoy turmeric/yellow and pandan/green rice. Super yummy!

The good thing is,  Indo Tempeh also have great vegetarian option , with jackfruit in coconut milk soup and various tempe or soybean cakes. As I mentioned above, there are many delicious choices, including tempe bacem (fried sweet tempe with palm sugar, coriander and herbs), tempe mendoan (deep fried tempe with flour, spices and spring onion), or spicy tempe.

Some choices of Tempe

In addition, they also sell peyek or crispy rice flour chips with peanuts and kering tempe or sweet and spicy fried tempe. They are indeed my favorite as well!

A pack of peyek & kering Tempe 

The last time we came here, some of the tables are available near the stall but on first come, first serve basis. I always manage to get the table for brunch, lunch or dinner. Well, sometimes, I have to patiently wait before we can get enough space for the four of us, or even more as we also came here in groups. 

I know the owner, mba Nana, quite well, as I met her many tomes. We have been in touch through whatsapp as well as I have ordered fresh tempe several times. Mba Nana is one of the stellar examples of successful Indonesian entrepreneurs in Aotearoa New Zealand. She has successfully promoted Tempe and sold it in many supermarkets in New Zealand. Her vegan catering services are also quite famous. So proud of her!

Happy faces after eating delicious Indonesian food

Paid parking is available for Riverside  Market, including for disabled. The market is also disability friendly with accessible entrances and toilets for disabled as well. For sure it is usually packed during rush hours and weekend. Sometimes we have to be patience for a while as we wait for the parking spot.

Can't wait to be back here again!

Make sure you don't miss this place whenever you visit Christchurch.

See you in the next adventure!

The Celebration of the 77th Anniversary of Indonesia’s Independence Day and Indonesian Armed Forces

Hi everyone..

National Day or the celebration of our nation’s independence day is always be special. Commemorating the struggles of our ancestors and heroes, this day marks the new beginning in the life of the nation.

Ambassador Fientje Suebu with H.E. Deborah Geels from MFAT, Marja Lubeck, MP from Labour Party from Indonesian descent, and Defence Attache and spouse

For the celebration of the 77th Anniversary of Indonesia’s Independence Day and Indonesian Armed Forces this year, the Embassy of the Republic of Indonesia held a Diplomatic Reception on October 12th, 2022. 

After postponing similar celebration for the last 2 years due to COVID-19 pandemic, this time we had been able to have a proper celebration.

After the flag - hoisting ceremony that we did on August 17th, this time we had the double celebration at New Zealand National Library in Thorndon, Wellington. 

We invited around 200 guest and 150 people came and joined us that night. It was really a wonderful celebration showcasing our pride as a thriving country, surviving COVID-19 and continue to make progress in terms of economic development, infrastructures and political stability.

With Nusantara, another word to call our homeland Indonesia, as the theme, we presented a little journey to Indonesia that night. We changed the national library into Indonesian corners, with decorations from different parts of Indonesia adorning the hall we used. 

Not to mention Indonesian delicacies such as kue lapis surabaya, kue lumpur, pastel and risol, as well as our signature rendang, sate ayam, gado - gado, vegetarian fried noodles, and fresh fruits. For our guests who drink alcohol, New Zealand wines and Indonesian beer, bir Bintang, were also available.

We also have Nasi Tumpeng, the famous coned yellow rice, presented to our Guest of Honour, Ambassador Deborah Geels, Deputy Secretary for Americas and Asians of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade of New Zealand. We also had free souvenir of Indonesian traditional woven syal for all our guests. 

The night got even merrier with the performance of Tari Piring, a traditional dance from West Sumatera and a medley of Indonesian songs, like Apuse, Sinanggar Tulo, Cublak - cublak suweng, dan Sajojo. The opening dance was Isolo from Papua.

It was really a lovely night and here are some more photos we have from the celebration.

Lapis Surabaya, everyone..

some of our guests while arriving..

Frits with Isolo dance from Papua 

Noken and Papuan arts and textile as part of the decoration

I was wearing my gold and purple Tapis Lampung, with kebaya sulam usus in the same colors. Good thing I bring the complete set of the Siger Lampung from home.

So, what do you think? We really have so much fun and hope we can have more engagement as well as exposure of Indonesian cultures in New Zealand.

Cheers.

WW: Restaurant Indonesia, Napier, Hawke's Bay, New Zealand

Restaurant Indonesia, Napier, Hawke's Bay, New Zealand

Food from home is always something you are craving for, wherever you are. The joy of enjoying the menu that reminds you of your beloved family, warm hugs from your grand parents and heart-to-heart talk on the dining table, is immensely priceless.

No matter what nationalities we are, this basic notion is pretty much what many of us are familiar with, especially when you are living outside of your homeland.

As for me, I have been learning to cook various Indonesian food and drink, but I always welcome the opportunity to buy and to order Indonesian food wherever I am. On the last trip to Napier, Hawke's Bay, we managed to get a taste of home. We stopped by at Restaurant Indonesia, serving since 1983 and making it the oldest restaurant in the area.

Restaurant Indonesia from outside, Napier, Hawke's Bay, New Zealand

Although the restaurant is usually closing on Monday - Tuesday due to the shortage of staff during COVID-19, we had this special session and menu at the restaurant as the Ambassador was coming with us as well.

the complete nasi bakar menu

That night, we had Nasi Bakar complete with fried chicken, ikan jambal roti or salted fish, tempe and tahu goreng as well as sayur asam, lalapan and sambal. In addition to that, we also have snapper being cooked as pepes ikan or steamed fish with lots of Indonesian traditional spices. Plus kerupuk or the famous Indonesian chips, to make the menu complete. We also enjoyed Indonesian ice tea with bay leaf and wedang ronde as dessert. Super yum indeed.

Here are some photos I took on the food.

pepes ikan... super yum!

wedang ronde, anyone?

I also love the interior design of the restaurant, with some specific themes reflecting the beauty of Indonesian heritage. It has Papua Room, Balinese and Javanese items and handicrafts, beautiful hand-woven fabrics from Timor and so many more. 

For Mas Riza and Mba Vivi Ambadar, the owners of this restaurant, coming and dining to Restaurant Indonesia is not only about enjoying the food and beverages, but it's also about the experience and the 'real feel' of Indonesia. Through these special menus, we embark on a journey of thousand miles away, diving on the endless beauty of Indonesia as well as the amazing and rich culture of this largest archipelagic state. As you get your first bite, you will feel the warmth and friendliness of Indonesians and their love for traditional and distinct taste of the homeland. That's what I felt when I enjoyed my dinner here.

So for you who get the chance to come and visit Napier, don't miss Restaurant Indonesia with its incredible menu.

Join us on (almost) Wordless Wednesday and have fun with the link party.

WW: Dining at Noah's Barn Cafe, Bandung

Dining at Noah's Barn Cafe, Bandung

Lately I have many farewell parties (although I'd prefer to call it see-you-again-soon party) to attend. 

One of them is in Bandung, when my office had a big meeting there. We were dining at Noah's Barn Cafe, Bandung, and I really love the place. 

the meeting room.. but we choose the outdoor area

The place is super comfy and it does remind us of Noah's Ark, complete with various animals (well, their statues only of course, not the real one) as well as wooden accent that resembles the boat. 

I also love the fact that this place is spacious with a lot of open spaces and greeneries. They have meeting rooms as well as upstairs sofas and corners. The health protocol was observed as well.

The food is yum, although I though the service was a bit slow that day because it was quite full. Well, my group consists of around 20 people so we packed the place with our own. 

Wanna know what we ordered that day?

We booked for around 20 people and although it was raining, all of us came down here and enjoyed the evening together.

we ordered fried rice, mushroom soup, fried mushroom, cheese and spinach roll, ayam geprek or the spicy chicken and grilled ribs, pizzas, spaghetti, steak, ice cream, carrot cake and more. It was a lovely dinner for sure. 

fried rice, complete with satay and fried chicken

So, will you come by and try the food here at Noah's Barn Cafe, Bandung?

Join us on (almost) Wordless Wednesday and have fun with the link party

Plataran The Dharmawangsa, Heavenly Place for Authentic Indonesian Cuisine

I have always had a soft spot for traditional ambience and Indonesian cuisines.

While spending some time in my beloved Indonesia, I try to explore its amazing

If you are looking for a posh, authentic Indonesian restaurant elaborated with top-notch, high class interior design in rare wooden furnitures, batik and antiques, this is the place.

Welcome to Plataran at the Dharmawangsa.

If you are familiar with the Plataran restaurant, then let's see this one.

I have been a big fan of Plataran restaurant, be it in Menteng, Senayan and here in the Dharmawangsa. They are just simply awesome!

When we arrived, we parked in the side ways and walked in to the restaurant. As you step into the area, you can see the bold and intricate design of Javanese cultures, with the replicate of statues from the famous temple of Borobudur, wood carvings imitating Rumah Jawa or the Javanese traditional house and batik, beautifully coated on the floor. In short, I love the ambience, the interior design and of course the food! The price is of course a bit higher than the average but it is worth it. Being known as the provider of authentic Indonesian cuisine in an antique and traditional setting, 

As you step in to the area, you are welcomed by rows of statues like the ones in famous temples. Then the warmth of wooden Java house is welcoming you as you sit inside. I simply love it! Well, who wouldn’t! Not to mention Batik, the original piece of high quality Batik,being coated on the floor! The food is exquisite! And authentic as well. I love soto buntut, rawon, asinan jakarta, gado - gado, bola - bola udang, dendeng batokok, and more. i love the salad and soup they have here. Some rice dishes are also wonderful. As foe tje drink, you have various choices as well. They have mushola, parking lot, and clean, artsy toilet. Well… highly recommended indeed and hope you get a chance to try the food here as well.