Otak otak in SF?

[grayelf]

I recently tried this steamed minced leaf wrapped lemon grassy tasty fish in a food court in Vancouver. Though my DC (Malay) felt it wasn't a stellar rendition, it made me happy enough to seek it out in the Bay Area. I did a search and found one place in Vallejo mentioned. Anywhere else I might try otak otak on our next trip?

[charliemyboy]

Having just tried the Pepes Ikan at both Bay Leaf in Sunnyvale ( http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/792355 ) and Jayakarta in Berkeley ( http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/3251... ) I really encourage you to give pepes a try. If Borobodur’s Otak-Otak had been anywhere near Bay Leaf’s Pepes Ikan I would have praised it to the skies in my report. Perhaps Borobodur’s otak was not the best—I have a vague memory that maybe pilinut was not that impressed with their rendition compared with others she has had. Only solution—order both, just in case! Borobodur doesn’t have pepes so you may have to hit the East Bay or South Bay.

-----
Jayakarta Restaurant
2026 University Ave, Berkeley, CA 94704

Bay Leaf Restaurant
122 S Sunnyvale Ave, Sunnyvale, CA 94086

[grayelf]

Thanks all for your input. Since I've only had it twice (and from the same stand), I really have no frame of reference. Totally understand about inconsistencies too :-). I will check in again before our fall trip. It would make sense to try a place where there are other dishes of note -- the ayam penyet sounds most intriguing.

[daveena]

It's similar to Cambodian amok or Lao moke pa (the versions I've had range from a fine mousse to fairly chunky with bits of vegetable) - do you definitely want the Indonesian version, or are you interested in other SE Asian riffs on it as well?

[grayelf]

Thanks, all, duly noted.

Daveena, good point -- not married to the Indonesian version (though I do love the name) and have been thinking we should try to fit in some Cambodian and/or Lao next time, so please suggest away. I think I would prefer the less chunky option but the picture Melanie posted recently of an amok with big pieces of fish in it did look rather intriguing...

[charliemyboy]

Daveena, can you recommend a place for moke pa or amok? The moke pa at Green Papaya Deli on International gets some endorsements from yelpers-- have you tried their version?

[daveena]

greyelf and charliemyboy, I only hesitate to make a specific rec b/c I've never tasted an amok/moke I didn't like - I think I'm just not that discerning with this preparation. Fish+coconut milk+ spices+ lemongrass+ leaf wrapper = automatic win, for me. I've enjoyed the amok at Chez Sovan in Campbell, Battambang and Phnom Penh in Oakland, and Angkor Grill in Alameda. I did like the moke pa at Green Papaya Deli - had it a long time ago, though - and I remember a friend of rworange tried it and found it revolting, in part because it was served cold to them (mine was freshly steamed and hot)

greyelf, one of the things that worries me about giving a rec to a visitor on the Cambodian and/or Lao places is that they're so inconsistent. Lately, Black and Silver has been my favorite, but it's really out of the way, and I find that stretch of International a little intimidating - we should touch base before your next visit to see if it's holding up well enough to merit a trip.

-----
Battambang
850 Broadway, Oakland, CA 94607

Green Papaya Deli
207 International Blvd (at 2nd ave, Oakland, CA

Chez Sovan
2425 S Bascom Ave, Campbell, CA 95008

Phnom Penh Restaurant
3912 MacArthur Blvd, Oakland, CA 94619

Angkor Grill
1319 Park Street, Alameda, Alameda, CA

[Melanie Wong]

Until last week, I would have been right there beside you. Never met a hamok, amok, mok pa that I didn't like. But here's the one I had in Sacramento at South Area Market that gives me pause. Never run across anything like it.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/melaniew...

[charliemyboy]

A group of us had Otak Otak at Borobudur a year ago but none of us commented on it in our posts and all I remember is that it wasn't a standout item for me--
http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/705881

I haven't had it at Jayakarta but everything I have had there has been very good, so I expect their Otak Otak is a good rendition.

Borobudur is quite attractive inside (though located in the Tenderloin) with very attentive staff, while Jayakarta is a hole-in-the-wall with just OK service.

-----
Jayakarta Restaurant
2026 University Ave, Berkeley, CA 94704

Borobudur Restaurant
700 Post St, San Francisco, CA 94109

[isewinsf]

Actually, the Tenderloin is South of Geary. Post is considered the Tendernob. Rent starts to soar north of Geary.

[Robert Lauriston]

Jayakarta in Berkeley.

-----
Jayakarta Restaurant
2026 University Ave, Berkeley, CA 94704

[chocomel]

Jayakarta's otak-otak is actually pretty decent. Though it has lemongrass, I would not describe otak-otak to be primarily lemon grassy - was it served with peanut sauce?

Also, if you like the food from the region, Jayakarta serves really good Indonesian food that I often crave...

[grayelf]

No peanut sauce, and the lemon grass was quite distinctive.

[chocomel]

Probably not otak-otak then. Maybe "pepes". Bay Leaf restaurant in Sunnyvale does a great version (may not worth the drive since you're from out of town). If you're thinking about getting otak-otak/pepes from anywhere (esp Jayakarta), make sure you call to make sure they not only have the ingredients on hand but also the banana leaf wrapping.

-----
Jayakarta Restaurant
2026 University Ave, Berkeley, CA 94704

Bay Leaf Restaurant
122 S Sunnyvale Ave, Sunnyvale, CA 94086

[Mul]

I prefer Bay Leaf vs Jayakarta.
If you're visiting Bay Leaf, try their "Ayam Penyet".

-----
Jayakarta Restaurant
2026 University Ave, Berkeley, CA 94704

Bay Leaf Restaurant
122 S Sunnyvale Ave, Sunnyvale, CA 94086

[rotiprata]

I would not recommend the otak-otak at Bay Leaf (rubbery when i tried it). Their Ayam Penyet (esp the super spicy sauce) was fabulous otoh.

[baron45]

I've had it here in SF:

http://www.borobudursf.com/