FOOD FIGHTERS – Blok M Melawai, Jakarta

After a hype of Pasar Santa in this early year, we're offer a new join dining that have a similar concept with Pasar Santa. The different is, if the tenants took place in Market area, which is Pasar Santa and took atmosphere the business of a traditional market, now Food Fighter open their business for public took Melawai, Blok M area. Blok M area already known as a mall, Japanese restaurant and hotels district. So the crowd here Ii guess would be more insane. 

If Pasar Santa is divided blocks after block, here at Food Fighter, you'll find a more proper and a bit wide place to eat. Divided into 2 area, indoor and outdoor. Even though sitting outdoor you'll face the crowded of the cars that want to park their cars, but I prefer sitting outside. The wind blows makes me more relax than in inside.

CHICKEN MIX LAMB - IDR 40.000
Been curious about Sate Bumbu Oma since 1st I saw their booth at Pasar Santa. But never got a chance to taste it. Now since they available at Food Fighters, I mustn't miss them again. Their specialty is in Nusa Tenggara Timur (NTT) food. I chose the mix of chicken and lamb satay. Surprisingly it so tender, not overcooked that make the satay dry or burnt. Marinated with the special sauce that have a kick of spicy taste. You spicy lover, you'll gonna love it.  

SATE BUMBU OMA
INSTAGRAM

SIRLOIN STEAK WAFFLE - IDR 40.000
Belgian Waffle filled with super tender and juicy sirloin steak. The waffle texture is moist and fluffy. Loved the mixture flavor of this waffle. Both sweet from the waffle and savory from the sirloin steak is well combination. Gotta try this one!!

ORIGINAL WAFFLE & ICE CREAM - IDR 30.000
Waffle ain't complete without the sweet one. Fluffy waffle topped with rum raisin and vanilla ice cream. Great for hot and chilling day.

ZUCKER WAFFLE
INSTAGRAM

ORIGINAL COLA WINGS - IDR 35.000
I expect the cola flavor is pop-out from this wings. But it's not what I expected. The chicken a bit dry. But the good thing is, it marinated well. Served with the string of potatoes. But still,  I'm curious with their other kind of wings. Gotta back next time.

YIPIKO WINGS
INSTAGRAM

MIE KARET AYAM JAMUR - IDR 25.000
A new presentation coming up from Mie Chino! Unlike their presentation at Pasar Santa that use bowl, this time they served their noodle in a box. New presentation with new improvement of a taste. It chewy and well seasoning. Like the consistency of the noodle.

MIE CHINO
INSTAGRAM

BANHMI LEMONGRASS BEEF - IDR 30.000
When order something with baguette, I always worry that the baguette would as hard as rock. But surprisingly, Banhmi that Banhmily served is superb. The baguette is moist and crunchy. I like the lemongrass is really fragrant, not too forget the generous filling of the tender and juicy meat. It so fulfilling portion of a Banhmi. This is also the that you shouldn't miss. And oh... Since looks like they siblings with Mie Chino, you can easily find this Banhmmily next to Mi Chino!

BANHMILY
INSTAGRAM

At the end,  I had so much time here. Got a lot of great food, got a chance to know the Zucker Waffle  owner (forgive me I forget your name Man! The very friendly chubby guy!). If you guys want to coome here, I suggested to come early, specially on weekend. It can be really full packed. Enough saying... Just go here...

FOOD FIGHTERS

Jalan Melawai IV No. 7 
(behind the Blok M Square,beside FaveHotel Melawai)

Kebayoran Baru, Blok M - Jakarta Selatan 12160

Opening Hours: 10 AM - 10 PM

INSTAGRAM

MI HCM - PLAZA SEMANGGI JAKARTA

Last week I went to the newly open Noodle restaurant called Mie HCM. My girl, Aline Foolosophy asked me to join her enjoy the noodle buzz. Plus they have a promotion 50% discount from 15 - 21 April 2015 if you post your meals on Social Media. Wow... what deal.

Mie HCM located at Plaza Semanggi 3A Floor. The place not too spacious, but since its colorful and bright, it makes the restaurant look bigger. Just take the queue, order what you want, pay, then take a sit. On lunch and dinner hour is really a busy hour. Where we have to be patience to have a seat.

Mie HCM served a typical chicken noodle that come from Malang, a city in East Java Indonesia called Cwie Mie. That's why for you who loved noodles, must be familiar with the name Cwie Mie Malang. Usually the original Cwie Mie Malang have a strong taste for their soup. Sometimes peoples would say it too salty and overpowering the seasoning. According to Mr. Anthony Teddy from TX Travel, Mie HCM has reduce the strong taste to adjust palate of most peoples. Well... let proove it then...

The great things eating here is that we can custom our order. We can adjust or reduce the topping as we like. Also we can choose the noodles. They have Vermicelli Noodles, Original Noodles and Wide Noodles. but too bad, that day they only have the original one. They also have many kind of toppings that you should try.

HOT CUI MIE
For you spicy lover, you have to try this one. A bowl of noodle that filled with bowl shape of fried wonton and topped with hot sauce, chicken, mushroom and scallions. The taste was A-MAH-ZIINNGG... The sauce is really tasty, enough to covering all the noodles part. The mushroom and chicken also tender.

SUPPER DUPPER YAMIE - IDR 24.545
A bowl of noodles with lots of topping. The fried wonton that filled with chicken, shredded chicken, cube sweet chicken and meatballs. From the portion at the beginning, I thought It was not too full. But then, it enough to kick my tummy. That probably because the generous topping that they give. Love the combination between the sweet and savory from the chicken. A MUST TRY!

CHICKEN POP CORN
The crumb is really crunchy with still a texture of tenderness inside. This can be order and you add it as your extra topping.

KULIT AYAM (CHICKEN SKIN) - IDR 13.636
This chicken skin is so so good. You definitely have to try this one. It so crispy and tasty. not over powering in seasoning. Addictive, can't stop munching it. I DIE!!
 

FRIED WONTON - Free, you can take it at the Condiments station

Aahh... I forget to take a single picture of Steam Wonton. You also have to try this. Put it in the soup that Mie HCM give, and eat it while its warm. So yummy. A plate of 3 only cost around IDR 10.000 (forget the exact price, I'll update it to you when I found my bills).

At the end, I'm so satisfied with the taste of Mie HCM. Not overpowering in seasoning (don't like everything with the power of MECIN... LOL), the Fried topping is not greasy and oily. And it still have a crispy texture when we eat it. The service also quick and nice. Probably they have to add more stocks, specially in busy hour. Because on my visit, they run out some of the fried topping and the lemon tea so damn quickly. I definitely will drag my fellows here some other time.

Good luck Mie HCM!

MI HCM
Plaza Semanggi, Lantai 3A
Jl. Jenderal Sudirman, Sudirman, Jakarta
Phone: 021 99988671


Opening Hours: 10am - 10pm Daily
Dresscode: Casual

FOLLOW OCTAPLAYGROUND ALSO HERE

TWITTER || INSTAGRAM 

Email: watashi_waoct4@yahoo.com

BAKMI BERDIKARI Jakarta

I'm pretty often dine here at Bakmi Berdikari. I know Bakmi Berdikari for the first time when I was a little kid and still live at Tebet area. Bakmi Berdikari 1st opened in 1978. After years, my hubby bring me back here every time we visit my mother in law.

Now the restaurant is nice complete with air conditioner and convy tables. Different with the Bakmi Berdikari 1st store that run by the Father. The modern concept Bakmi Berdikari now run by the son who try to target their market to young peoples and family.

The restaurant area divided into 2 area. Outdoor for smokers and indoor for non-smoking area. Me and hubby usually seat near the mirror. Ehem... yes... for selfie property it so helpfull hehehe...

So what special in here that make me back here over and over again? Because the noodle taste is still the same. A homemade noodles that fresh made everyday.

MIE AYAM BAKSO PANGSIT GORENG 
(CHICKEN NOODLES served with MEATBALLS AND FRIED WONTON) - IDR 28.000
The very standard menu from Bakmi Berdikari. The noodles already taste great even when you haven't add any condiments like sauce or sambal. Like the texture. Not too dense or soggy. The chicken cubes and the meatballs also very tender. Simple but amazing.

MIE BEBEK  PANGGANG ALA "HONGKONG" 
(ROASTED NOODLES ala HONGKONG) - IDR 40.000
The same noodles like above only different in topping. I like the roasted duck. It so tender inside and crispy on the skin. Specially when you dipped it into the soy sauce. The garlic sprinkle add more flavor into this noodles.

MIE TOM YUM SEAFOOD (TOM YUM SEAFOOD NOODLES) -IDR 38.000
If you want something hot and spicy then you should try this Tom Yum Noodles. The tangy from the lime leaf and the spicy mixed together create the fresh and waking up your palate. The noodles texture more like Udon with a big shape. The seafood also served fresh and not smell fishy. Love it!

NASI GORENG "HONGKONG" (HONGKONG FRIED RICE) - IDR 38.000
Like typical Hongkong (or chinese) Fried rice  in common, this fried rice color look pale. Because it only use fish sauce, Worcestershire sauce and Ang Ciu (Chinese Cooking Wine). Taste decent with generous seafood and peas for topping. The rice was not too soggy and the seafood is not smelly.

BUBUR SAPI (BEEF CONGEE) - IDR 25.000
Since several days ago I feel so unwell and barely can't eat anything, so I ordered this congee just to calm my stomach. Surprisingly the congee taste great. Not to overpowering in seasoning. The beef also very tender. Served with spicy soy sauce and wonton crackers.

CUMI TELUR ASIN (CALAMARI IN SALTED EGG SAUCE) - IDR 47.000
I actually allergic to any kind of egg. But since my hubby said this was one of their signature dish, I dare my self to give it a try. Well, drugstore is close from Bakmi Berdikari incase suddenly i feel itchy hehehhe.... And yes, it taste quite good. The calamari is juicy and not fishy. The salted egg marinated the calamari very well. Coated with crispy flour.

BAKPAU NAI WANG (3 PCS) - IDR 20.000
Yes Bakmi Berdikari also served any kind of dim sum. I ordered the bak pao just because curious with the pumpkin filling. And... OMG! It so good. The bak pao dough is so moist and smooth. The filling is so generous and not too sweet. Served when it still warm. Yuuummm....

the Old store that still operating until now, stand next to the Modern Bakmi Berdikari

Overall, I like the food here at Bakmi Berdikari. Have many kind selected of Chinese food and most of all taste great. For the service also quick and friendly. Unless for the several new waitress / waiter that still need product knowledge.

BAKMI BERDIKARI
Jl. Tebet Timur Dalam Raya No. 39 & 41,
Tebet, Jakarta
021 33577777, 021-98997777 & 021 8280248  
WEBSITE 

FOLLOW OCTAPLAYGROUND ALSO HERE

TWITTER || INSTAGRAM 

Email: watashi_waoct4@yahoo.com

 

Tea Revolution at MING Dine & Chill

I know this is a very late post from me. But I'm still excited to tell you guys about the tea revolution. If usually we eat some food we paired it with wine, this time I was invited to try pair some food with Chinese fabulous tea. This event was held in great Chinese fine dining restaurant,  Ming Dine and Chill placed in Epiwalk Rasuna Epicentrum 2nd Floor.

Courtesy of @yennymichael for OctaPlayground

Before the main event begin, they gave us a quick grand tour to their restaurant. And I'm pretty amazed with how they manage the restaurant. Ming Dine and Chill is a fine dining restaurant where you can talk with your colleagues or dine with your family. It has 300 capacity sitting area that accommodate you whether in public dining area or in private room. The private room it self can accommodate 10 - 20 person for minimum purchase IDR 2.000.000 Complete with big screen TV for you who want to sing karaoke after dine. This definitely a plus facilities if I want to go back later with my ganks or with my family, who coincidentally a singer wannabe hohoho...

Patio

Dining Hall

VIP Room

After a tour, we seated in a very nice bar where the main event will begin. The event begin with an opening & a lil' speech from Mikael from Ming Dine and Chill. After that, Danny Handimulyana, Sales Director from DeVieni explain all we need to know about tea.

DeVieni is a  company that promote high end good quality tea from Indonesia also the import tea that will sell to the local market. They do cooperation with some restaurant and cafe to do the tea tasting and tea pairing.

    
Here, DeVieni want to give a little bit view point about tea. I bet some of you only know several tea like green tea, black tea and so on without knowing what food is good to accompany the tea. That night we did the pairing with 4 kind of teas with several menus from Ming Dine and Chill.

Chrysanthemum
With a Latin name Chrysanthemum morifolium, we can get this flower from the highland of China. Many use for medical purpose that can heal fever, influenza etc. In Indonesia we know it as Krisan flower many served in Chinese restaurant. Really good if we pair it with dimsum or boiled food like siomay.

Oolong
Known for its sweetness and its fragrant flower or fruit aroma. Before it fermented, the oolong leaf should through one process calles "Shaking" which is mixing leaves in a big rattan bowl (tampah) or with machine. The mixing between those leaf that leave taste and a good aroma and it make it different than usual green tea. Some of famous Oolong tea like Gao Shan Oolong, Dong ding Oolong and Tie Guanying.
Oolong Tea suit with some food that not have too strong taste and aroma like chicken, fish or seafood.

Black Tea
Black Tea or in Mandarin usually called Hong Cha is a full fermented tea. Black Tea really famous But it can be different with it taste and aroma. Really good in many varieties food that have a strong aroma like curry or fried dish.

Long Jing
Is a green tea without any fermentation process at all. Really have a strong aroma and it has green yellowish color. Long Jing has a top rated among the other kind of green tea. Long Jing has a really mild aroma and a little bit sweet. That is why Long Jing can be pair with food that have a little sweet taste also like cookies or cake.

White Tea
Been exist since the China Dynasty and it only served to the Emperor and family. Known with the antioxidant and has the most vitamin compare the other tea because it less process and fermented. The shape is like needle and a bit grey, taken from the unopened buds of the tea plant. It become yellowish when we brewed it.

White Tea

Now let me show you some of Ming Dine and Chill menus that can be pair with those tea above...

APPETIZER

Steamed Chicken Char Siew Cheong Fan, Steamed Shrimp Dumpling, Steam Truffle Dumpling with wild Fungus
- pairing with Chrysanthemum

Probably you see the appearance not look appetizing, specially when you look at the Truffle Dumpling. But believe me, these appetizer taste great. It really smooth, really rich in seasoning and taste fresh.

MAIN COURSE

Steam Fish Filled with Taiwanese Black Bean
- pairing with Oolong Green

This steam fish also taste great. It so delicate, so rich, so melted in your mouth.  a bit sweet come from the black bean blend with the seasoning. Ended with a good savory taste.

Emperor Chicken
- pairing with Black tea

A very unique presentation from the Emperor Chicken.It came with extravagant way hohooho... Basically, it's a chicken that cooked with clay and leaf. First it came clay shape like coconut with fire. So cool... Then we need to break it to get the chicken. And the chicken wrapped with a leaf. It leaves a very good aroma, full of herbs, so rich yet light. Beside the chicken, there's also mushroom and bamboo sprout. The texture still crunchy but tender. Me likey...

Japanese Handmade noodle with Handmade sauce and Crabmeat
- pairing with Black Tea

Eventhough for me the noodle a bit too overcooked, but the taste still good. I like when the sauce really blend together with the noodle. and the crabmeat is so tender and not smell fishy.

DESSERT

Deep Fried Sesame ball with Salted Egg filling
- pairing with Long Jing

I feel like in laboratory  when I see the presentation of this dessert.  If no one told me that the filling is salted egg, I probably would not notice it. Because it taste like custard. And it so damn yummy. It so melted in mouth and it still warm when it served. The sesame ball texture also so smooth and not chewy. The drink in the tube is guava mix orange juice. Taste freshening. 

Food and beverages served that day are for personal portion. Of course you'll get the real and bigger portion when you come by your self. Many food here are perfect for sharing. Like the Emperor Chicken above. A great service is really a plus. 

Thank u Ming Dine and Chill for a great dishes & thank u DeVieni for a tea knowledge.

Ming Dine and Chill
Epiwalk Rasuna Epicentrum
2nd Floor Unit #318-330
JL HR Rasuna Said
Karet-Kuningan
Jakarta Selatan 12940
Phone: 021-29912323
FB Fan Page: Ming Dine and Chill

Web Ming Dine and Chill