Indonesian Food - Restaurant Recs

[chewingvampire]

Have a craving for good, authentic Indonesian food. I've been going to Ramayani since I moved to LA and it's the only Indonesian restaurant I've ever been to. So just wondering if there are any other Indo restaurants that can match Ramayani...

[burumun]

I'm Indonesian, and right now my and my friends' favorite place to go to is Simpang Asia in Palms

Not to say that all the stuff there tastes authentic, but some are definitely better than others.
I had the Nasi pecel empal last time and found it to be really close to what I would get back home (except the 'empal' was a little tough)

--burumun
http://gourmetpigs.blogspot.com
http://gourmettravel.blogspot.com

[bulavinaka]

Belacan Grill in Redondo Beach/Torrance area is pretty great by LA standards, and it's actually kinda nice inside as well...

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Belacan Grill
2701 190th St Ste 100, Redondo Beach, CA 90278

[bobmakan]

Good/authentic Indonesian food are hard to prepare because of the large variety and availability of ingredients (i.e Canned or powdered coconut milk/santan can not compare to the real thing, or Pandan, etc) and preparation time. I found it is a hit/miss in the USA whether it is SF/LA/OC/SD even NYC.

The best solution is to try Singaporean or Malaysian which at times seemed to have a better name recognition as a cuisine than Indonesian restaurant. Their food are very similar.

But if you must try Indonesian - the list below is good, but there is a start of an Indonesian center (If you can call it that at all) in West Covina that is open all week. It is kind of a little lack luster or neglected. But it is attached to the Hong Kong Plaza supermarket as their food court. Within it you can find some of the vendors that go to Duarte Inn on the weekend - this includes Satay Fong, Janty Noodles, etc. The Hong Kong Plaza Food Court is located on 989 S. Glendora Ave, West Covina, CA 91790

Good luck

[bulavinaka]

With "makan" in your name, you must be speaking the truth... teri makasi!

[running pig]

How about Banyan Tree in Manhattan Beach? I have never been to another Indonesian restaurant but I really liked Banyan Tree! Really tasty noodles, soups, veggies and nice folks. The mood was calm and quiet. Would definitely go back.

[elisha]

the banana leaf in the farmers market is singaorease, but has many dishes that are indonesian. and great food over all.

[So Ho La]

Second Banana Leaf. I also like the Nasi Rames @ Ramayani.

[So Ho La]

I believe both Banyan Tree restaurants went out of business. They had a great salad.

[Vegasbuff]

Theres a new Indo restaurant, Manja Resto, located in the same complex as the Duarte Inn. They also have a booth at the street food affair at the Duarte Inn every Saturday.

http://vegasbuff.blogspot.com/2007/05...

[chewingvampire]

wow, you guys are amazing...thanks so much...will put these down on my to-go places... :)

[Ben7643]

Did you try any of these places? I'd be interested to hear which ones you liked. Ramayani is all i've ever had for indonesian as well..........

[slacker]

Not sure about the level of authenticity, as I'm not very familiar with Indonesian food, but these are two places I've tried and like:

Simpang Asia
10433 National Blvd.
L.A.
310-815-9075
here's J. Gold's review from a few years ago: http://www.laweekly.com/eat+drink/cou...

Right across the street is
Indo Cafe
10428 1/2 National Blvd.
L.A.
310-815-1290

[WBGuy]

Simpang Asia is my favorite, it is pretty authentic. It's simple un-fancy everyday fare you'd expect to find in food courts in Jakarta. They also have in the display case, a decent selection of ready-to-eat snacks like lemper (chicken in a rice roll).

Go for the banana leaf-wrapped nasi warteg or nasi bungkus, and try the avocado drink.

[sunnygordy]

Indo Cafe in Culver City. I think it's off of Culver Blvd. Been awhile since I've been there...but I remember that it was pretty dang good!

[Sgee]

My experience was less favorable. Didn't think the food was good and service was quite poor.

[elmomonster]

I've been to Ramayani (not the one in LA but the now defunct Rowland Heights branch) and I found that I liked Toko Rame in Bellflower a whole lot better. Their Nasi Bungkus is unbeatable.

Here's a picture of it and my review:
http://elmomonster.blogspot.com/2006/01/toko-rame-indonesian-restaurant.html

There's also Asian Deli in Diamond Bar, Java Spice in Rowland Heights, and also Indo Kitchen in Alhambra...all are fair to decent, but for me, when I want Indonesian food (other than my mom's fabulous cooking), I go to Pondok Kaki Lima, the weekly Indonesian Food Fest on Saturdays at the Duarte Inn.

Photos and long review of Pondok Kaki Lima:
http://elmomonster.blogspot.com/2006/...

[Augusta]

Elmomonster,

do you know if any of the vendors at the Duarte food fair do catering as well? i'm looking for an Indonesian caterer. Thanks!

[elmomonster]

I'm sure they do. Unfortunately, I don't know any of them personally. You might want to ask them in person. I know that most will jump at the chance to cater...I mean, they do it anyway every week!

http://elmomonster.blogspot.com

[burumun]

Yup agree with elmo monster, if you ask them they will do it. I don't think anyone caters professionally (although Indonesian restaurants will, like Simpang Asia), but we've gotten people to cater for us for various things. They just do it at home, on a case-by-case basis (or should I say cash-by-cash basis) ...

--burumun
http://gourmetpigs.blogspot.com