Sporting the growth of Denpasar residents' likes for Nasi Tempong, Bajak Laut Nasi Tempong & Seafood sets on a different kind of path by combining Nasi Tempong with the other well-known Bali's best: Seafood.

Sets in the cozy neighborhood of Renon, Denpasar, Bajak Laut is the newest addition of restaurant openings in this area. From the down-to-earth food courts selling Ayam Goreng, Chinese food and Sup Kepala Ikan, to the more luxurious XO Suki & Cuisine, Ayucious, or the more established Bendega, Ikan Bakar Cianjur, and Hanamasa, Bajak Laut further marks Renon as a leading Denpasar's culinary destination.

Though opened really close to the market leader Nasi Tempong Indra, that with its aggressive market expansion in 2012 opens two new branches around Renon area alone, Bajak Laut however has what Indra has not: various choices of seafood comprising of fishes, shellfish, crabs, and shrimps. Therefore market wise, Bajak Laut is aiming at a slightly different crowds: those who loves the spicy Nasi Tempong, and those who loves Seafood; especially those too tired to go through all the traffic madness at Simpang Siur to reach Jimbaran.

(Or believes it's too touristy.)

As the champion of this premise, Bajak Laut offers "Kepiting Asap ala Bajak Laut", which are crabs cooked in sweet and savory rubs, then grilled inside banana leaf wraps to enhance its aroma. The result is a treat not only delicious to the taste but also to the sight.

Ingredients used for the rub is dominated with daun salam, or Indonesian bay leaves. For those familiar with gepuk; fried beef first marinated in spices and brown sugar, Kepiting Asap ala Bajak Laut has an almost identical seasoning.

One portion of Kepiting Asap ala Bajak Laut consisting of two crabs weighing total of 5 ons (500 grams). At 120K they're good for two, while the 7 ons one costs 150K. For the 5 ons portion, the crab size is a bit small, hence eating them requires quite an effort.

Nasi Tempong is a good example how a food originated from outside Bali could becomes a local hit. Originated from Banyuwangi, Nasi Tempong managed to get quite followers due to its main character of super spicy sambal. Nasi Tempong usually served as a package consisting of white rice, steamed vegetables, tahu, tempe, anemic salted fish, and super spicy sambal, and a main dish of either fried chicken, or other kind of proteins.

While I'm not a die-hard spicy food fans, I found their Nasi Tempong quite palatable, especially since the stewed vegetables plus sambal that's the core of every Nasi Tempong dish, is like a staple food in Western Java where I grew up.

Service is polite and attentive, though we found it's a bit hard to get attention from the waiters, except from the one stand by the front door. Beside of the seafood, the Nasi Tempong variations are sold around 12K to 45K,

Starting December 2013 but don't know for how long, Bajak Laut Nasi Tempong & Seafood offers a special discount for their set menu, at 150K for 4 people, and 250K for 6 people.

One annoying condition that we have to face as well, that even though the premise is fully airconed, people are allowed to smoke! And here in Denpasar, Bali, sadly it's the common case with many eating premises, and Bajak Laut is no exception. Therefore while their crab is quite delicious, until Bajak Laut separates its smoking and non-smoking section it poses health hazard to your youngsters. (byms)

Bajak Laut Nasi Tempong & Seafood
Jl. Cok Agung Tresna No.23, Renon, Denpasar, Bali
(0361) 7984007

Beginning this January 2013, Indonesian Foodblogger (IDFB) will have their own unique logo as published today in IDFB's Facebook group:

This logo is available for Indonesian Foodblogger member to put on their foodblogs through several links which detailed further in this post. (byms)

A new Korean restaurant is coming to Jakarta this early 2013. Located at Tebet Green Mall, Seigo Dakgalbi offers casual Cafe atmosphere missing from most Korean restaurants in Jakarta.

Epicurina would also thanks Fiana from Seigo Dakgalbi for the invitation to the grand launching party, however while the food shots look inviting but I don't think I'll be in Jakarta at that date. Good luck with the grand opening! (byms)

I love infographics because it able to represents complex statistic in an easy and entertaining way! Here's one portraying @Epicurina activities on Twitter. It's a bit surprising that I Wayan Balawan is mentioned as my top retweeters! I was always suspecting that one of my fellow food bloggers would be on that list. Btw Tuesday 10 a.m. I think refer to this January 1 where I say hi to (almost) all of Epicurina contacts.

Want to know how yours look like? Create one today free using http://visual.ly/. (byms)

Among the sea breeze, white sands, and fresh air of Bali, Jakarta left quite a gap in our present dietary options. For example, its Nasi Uduk: sold in the morning, it's steaming hot emitting the aroma of coconut milk and daun salam (Indonesian bay leaves), enriched by the ever familiar scent of fried shallots. Eaten with sambal terasi and sliced omelette, Nasi Uduk is a flavorful and scentful breakfast missing from our mornings in Bali. At nights, the stalls selling Nasi Uduk along with Betawi's signature dishes like semur jengkol can easily be found in the center of Betawi's settlement around the city, like Rawa Belong in Jakarta Barat.

The other one we really missed would be Ketoprak. Different with in the one in Central Java, Ketoprak is not a form of drama shown on stage, but it's a dish containing ketupat (rice cake), tahu (tofu), and tauge (bean sprouts). While it's quite similar with Kupat Tahu Bandung, the main difference is that Ketoprak Jakarta contains beehoon as well.

Together with Nasi Goreng & Mie Tektek, Ketoprak is among the most common dish sold by street peddlers. You can easily find Ketoprak sellers among the dense skyscrapers in the city, or around the suburban settlements at nights.

That is why we got very curious upon seeing a new eatery "Ketoprak Uleg" opened up at Jl. Teuku Umar, Denpasar. We did hesitated for a while, until finally land our feet to try the place out.

The Place

Ketoprak Jakarta has a modest but clean settlement occupying a single ruko unit, with most of the interior spaces are used as kitchen and display. Tables are laid out front on the roofed porch, utilizing the best of open air circulation to dissipate the heat. Well the place is still hot for my thick stature though, even at nights.

The Food

Upon inspecting its neat and minimalism menu, we found both of Jakarta's signature dishes here: Nasi Uduk, and Ketoprak. As with the Ketoprak, they even have two variations: Ketoprak Betawi (15K), and Ketoprak Karet Tengsin (18K). While the firs is what I described earlier, the later consisting of more elaborate ingredients like telur asin (salted duck's egg), and potato chips.

As with the Nasi Uduk, they have it with fried chicken (18K), and with empal (24K); both are served with this delicious bacem tahu. The Nasi Uduk itself while it doesn't really taste coconutty, but the traces of daun salam aroma is strong; quite a relief after finding so many failed attempt at creating a good simple Nasi Uduk at Denpasar's eateries. No Semur Jengkol though.

Beside those two, you can also find other of Jakarta's specialties here like Soto Betawi (24K), and various other Indonesian dishes like Soto Ayam Kampung (18K), Lontong Sayur (16K), and Rawon Solo (24K).

Among the drink it's too bad they don't have Bir Pletok, but they do have this Air Sereh (lemongrass) which is quite unique.

Taste wise it's good, and looks like it's quickly becoming a favorite dinner place for workers around Simpang Enam, and Eastern Teuku Umar, including those ordering for takeaway. Parking space for cars is a bit tricky though, as the cellphone voucher seller opening next door is quite adamant in keeping his part of the roadside free from parking cars, while there's only enough space for two cars in front of Ketoprak Uleg. However for motorcycles there's ample of parking space available, a typical case with shops in this district though. (byms)

Thank you for spending your time with us in 2012, and we'll keep on bringing you the delicious tidbits of Indonesian good food & Bali's good food scene.

Cheers!

Bayu Amus
Epicurean Indonesia (Epicurina)