Jayakarta and my first Indonesian meals
Ketoprak at Jayakarta, Berkeley - warm rice noodle salad with bean sprout, cucumber, shrimp cracker and peanut sauce - $6.25
There is only one on the East Bay, and three in San Francisco. (I don’t count the Asian Fusion stuff and places with, like, one Indonesian noodle salad.) That is just way too few Indonesian restaurants in an area where Asian cookeries sprout like mushrooms after the rain. Historically, the Indonesians have settled here at least 10 years before the Vietnamese, and at about the same time as the Thai. After a few wholesome meals at Jayakarta, it is beyond me why Indonesian food has not gained much popularity in the States.
Take the palm-sugar-smothered rotisserie chicken ayam kalasan. It loses to no other chicken but my mom’s. I’m hooked from the first bite. The sweetness is in eve.ry. single. strand. of meat, it’s tender, it’s firm, it can make me rob a school kid for $7.95 when the craving gone mad.
Mie goreng (left) - $7.95 and Bihun ayam (right) with beef balls - $6.50
Or the chewy bihun (rice noodle) that fares wonderfully both stir fried (mie goreng) or boiled and tossed (bihun ayam) with chicken, shrimp, beef ball, egg, and some crunchy stalks similar to but denser than celery. Also, bihun is better than than bakmi (egg noodle).
Or the subtle, smooth, and compact fingers of pounded fish grilled in banana leaf. The otak-otak panggang reminds me of chả cá and chạo tôm in Vietnam.
Nasi Goreng with chicken (left) -$7.50- and weekend special Nasi Bungkus (right) - $7.95
Or the rice (nasi). Fried rice (nasi goreng), no complaint. Rice served in banana leaf with coconut beef, fried curry chicken, and marinated tofu (nasi bungkus), absolutely no complaint. The egg kills.
And coconut rice (nasi lemak) with ample cubes of chicken, mealy perkedel, and my all-time-favorfish anchovies fried to a crisp.
Or, away from the meaty fried and marinated galore, a gentle bowl of chicken wonton soup (pangsit kuah). So elevating. (I once had this horrid wonton soup when I was six. The wonton was thick and doughy like a blob of mush, the soup was like chicken and dumpling bubbling in lard. I avoided wonton soup ever since. Until now.)
And a glass of fruit jelly, rice, banana and cassava in coconut milk, with shaved ice, for $3.95.
I don’t understand why Thai restaurants outnumber Indonesian ones. Is it the lack of pork? (No.)
Address: Jayakarta Restaurant
2026 University Avenue
Berkeley, CA 94704
I like this blog so much, saved to bookmarks.
1Great write-up, I am regular visitor of one’s blog, maintain up the nice operate, and It is going to be a regular visitor for a long time.
2I cherished up to you’ll obtain carried out right here. The comic strip is tasteful, your authored subject matter stylish. however, you command get got an shakiness over that you want be turning in the following. in poor health unquestionably come further in the past once more as precisely the same nearly very continuously inside of case you protect this increase.
3I also conceive thus, perfectly indited post! .
4Having read this I thought it was very informative. I appreciate you taking the time and effort to put this article together. I once again find myself spending way to much time both reading and commenting. But so what, it was still worth it!
5I will right away seize your rss feed as I can not to find your email subscription link or newsletter service. Do you have any? Please let me recognise in order that I could subscribe. Thanks.
6Hi! Someone in my Facebook group shared this website with us so I came to take a look. I’m definitely loving the information. I’m book-marking and will be tweeting this to my followers! Terrific blog and brilliant design and style.
7I’ve recently started a site, the information you offer on this web site has helped me tremendously. Thank you for all of your time & work.
8I was suggested this web site by my cousin. I’m not sure whether this post is written by him as nobody else know such detailed about my problem. You’re wonderful! Thanks!
9Thanks for sharing excellent informations. Your web site is very cool. I’m impressed by the details that you have on this website. It reveals how nicely you understand this subject. Bookmarked this web page, will come back for extra articles. You, my pal, ROCK! I found just the info I already searched all over the place and simply could not come across. What a perfect web-site.
10I truly enjoy examining on this site, it has excellent posts. “One should die proudly when it is no longer possible to live proudly.” by Friedrich Wilhelm Nietzsche.
11I went over this web site and I conceive you have a lot of fantastic info , saved to fav (:.
12I don’t even know how I ended up here, but I thought this post was great. I don’t know who you are but definitely you’re going to a famous blogger if you are not already 😉 Cheers!
13Hi! I know this is somewhat off topic but I was wondering which blog platform are you using for this website? I’m getting tired of WordPress because I’ve had problems with hackers and I’m looking at options for another platform. I would be awesome if you could point me in the direction of a good platform.
14Hey there just wanted to give you a quick heads up and let you know a few of the pictures aren’t loading properly. I’m not sure why but I think its a linking issue. I’ve tried it in two different web browsers and both show the same results.
15It’s really a nice and helpful piece of information. I’m satisfied that you just shared this useful information with us. Please keep us informed like this. Thank you for sharing.
16I truly enjoy studying on this web site, it holds excellent blog posts.
17Enjoyed examining this, very good stuff, thanks. “Whenever you want to marry someone, go have lunch with his ex-wife.” by Francis William Bourdillon.
18Hey! I could have sworn I’ve been to this blog before but after checking through some of the post I realized it’s new to me. Anyhow, I’m definitely glad I found it and I’ll be book-marking and checking back frequently!
19I like this web site very much so much good information.
20Magnificent website. A lot of useful info here. I’m sending it to several friends ans also sharing in delicious. And naturally, thanks for your sweat!
21I was studying some of your blog posts on this website and I think this internet site is really informative! Retain posting.
22excellent points altogether, you just gained a brand new reader. What would you suggest in regards to your post that you made some days ago? Any positive?
23I used to be recommended this blog via my cousin. I’m no longer sure whether or not this submit is written by him as nobody else realize such certain approximately my trouble. You’re wonderful! Thank you!
24You made some good points there. I looked on the internet for the topic and found most guys will approve with your site.
25Today, while I was at work, my sister stole my iphone and tested to see if it can survive a forty foot drop, just so she can be a youtube sensation. My apple ipad is now broken and she has 83 views. I know this is totally off topic but I had to share it with someone!
26Its such as you read my thoughts! You appear to know so much about this, like you wrote the e book in it or something. I believe that you simply can do with a few p.c. to force the message house a bit, but other than that, that is great blog. An excellent read. I’ll definitely be back.
27You have brought up a very fantastic points, appreciate it for the post.
28Please let me know if you’re looking for a author for your blog. You have some really good articles and I think I would be a good asset. If you ever want to take some of the load off, I’d love to write some material for your blog in exchange for a link back to mine. Please send me an email if interested. Many thanks!
29You made some nice points there. I did a search on the topic and found mainly people will consent with your blog.
30Some genuinely good information, Glad I observed this. “Three things you can be judged by your voice, your face, and your disposition.” by Ignas Bernstein.
31Pretty nice post. I just stumbled upon your weblog and wanted to say that I have truly enjoyed surfing around your blog posts. In any case I will be subscribing to your feed and I hope you write again soon!
32I know this if off topic but I’m looking into starting my own blog and was curious what all is required to get set up? I’m assuming having a blog like yours would cost a pretty penny? I’m not very web savvy so I’m not 100 positive. Any recommendations or advice would be greatly appreciated. Many thanks
33I got good info from your blog
34you’re really a good webmaster. The website loading speed is incredible. It seems that you are doing any unique trick. Also, The contents are masterpiece. you have done a excellent job on this topic!
35Everything is very open and very clear explanation of issues. was truly information. Your website is very useful. Thanks for sharing.
36I’m often to blogging and i really recognize your content. The article has really peaks my interest. I’m going to bookmark your web site and preserve checking for brand new information.
37Utterly written articles, Really enjoyed looking through.
38Only wanna say that this is very beneficial, Thanks for taking your time to write this.
39I see something genuinely special in this website.
40You should take part in a contest for one of the best blogs on the web. I will recommend this site!
41I have recently started a web site, the info you offer on this web site has helped me greatly. Thank you for all of your time & work.
42Valuable info. Fortunate me I found your site by chance, and I’m stunned why this twist of fate did not came about earlier! I bookmarked it.
43I’ve recently started a blog, the info you provide on this website has helped me tremendously. Thanks for all of your time & work.
44Good day! Do you know if they make any plugins to help with Search Engine Optimization? I’m trying to get my blog to rank for some targeted keywords but I’m not seeing very good results. If you know of any please share. Kudos!
45Just wanna input on few general things, The website style is perfect, the written content is really excellent. “The enemy is anybody who’s going to get you killed, no matter which side he’s on.” by Joseph Heller.
46You could certainly see your skills in the work you write. The arena hopes for even more passionate writers like you who aren’t afraid to say how they believe. At all times go after your heart.
47After research a couple of of the blog posts on your website now, and I truly like your approach of blogging. I bookmarked it to my bookmark website record and will likely be checking again soon. Pls try my web site as effectively and let me know what you think.
48After all, what a great site and informative posts, I will upload inbound link – bookmark this web site? Regards, Reader.
49I am impressed with this website , very I am a fan.
50