PROLOGUE
Indonesia has many tribes, with different culinary offerings, each of which has a distinctive flavor. Besides having many tribes, Indonesia is also a diverse religion.
This time I will discuss the restaurant with the concept of the Batak tribe, which is in South Jakarta. This restaurant is unique because it serves halal food, tailored to the majority of consumers who are Muslim.
I'm as a Muslim, is very happy with the presence of this restaurant because I can try the food of the famous Batak tribe which is rich in authentic spices.
BONGA-BONGA, Halal Restaurant Batak
The Batak tribe is a tribe originating from North Sumatra, Indonesia.
Usually Batak food is not halal, because the dish uses ingredients such as meat of dog, pork, and blood.
Batak dishes also have typical spices that are worth trying on the general public. The founder of Bonga-Bonga, wants to introduce Batak offerings to the general public, especially Muslim communities.
Bonga-Bonga, was founded by several famous actors in Indonesia, namely Chicco Jerikho and Rio Dewanto, along with other partners.
Bonga-Bonga which opened in October 2018 has the concept of "LAPO". Lapo in Indonesian means a place to eat serving traditional Batak menus.
Decoration
The Batak tribe is known as the Ulos symbol as the identity of their community. Ulos is used as one of the beautiful accessories in the room.
You can see the Ulos on the top of restaurant. This gives a strong traditional character to the design.
The colors that reflect the identity of the Batak tribe were also applied to the design. The use of color is indeed very important to increasingly give the identity strength of the brand so that it is remembered by consumers.
Black, red, and gold are the dominant colors used in Bonga-Bonga. The color of paint in the building is also dominated by black. It's unique.
For tables used wood elements such as traditional restaurants in general. From places to eat customers can also see directly the open kitchen area.
Traditional music also plays in this restaurant which further strengthens the atmosphere.
Seen by consumers who are busy enjoying Batak specialties at Bonga-Bonga. Besides because the owner of this restaurant is an artist, of course people want to try traditional Batak food that has only been in North Sumatra, not in South Jakarta.
For the air temperature in this room it is a bit hot because of the lack of air conditioning. During the day with the scorching weather in the room it will feel uncomfortable to linger in this restaurant. Hot air may be caused by the color of the building being black so that it absorbs high heat.
Meanwhile for outdoor areas, only two tables are available for customers who want to smoke.
Menu Presented By Bonga-Bonga
Traditional Batak menus served by Bonga-Bonga use spices imported from the original area of the Batak tribe, North Sumatra.
The main food served is rice with various types of side dishes that are usually found in Indonesia, but use typical spices from the Batak region.
The side dishes are chicken, fish, duck, fern, cassava leaves, bamboo shoots, all of which are seasoned with spices typical of the Batak people.
For drinks, of course here only authentic drinks from Indonesia are available such as Es Jeruk (Orange Juice), Es Jeruk with Young Coconut (Orange Juice with young coconut), Cucumber Ice, and Milk Coffee.
Snacks provided for complementary drinking coffee after meals are also fairly unique, namely "Pahul-pahul" and boiled sweet potatoes. It's very traditional and simple.
For the menu list, I have to take it from another source because when I arrive at this place, the customer menu will not be offered a menu. Customers directly choose food in the kitchen area, and ask the waiter for a menu.
You also don't need to be confused, because beside in menu are the names of the menus. You don't need to wait too long either, because this restaurant has a traditional concept with a menu that is ready to be served.
The menus are maintained quality, because it is not made in large quantities, and is also warmed to avoid changing the taste of food.
My Experience
Actually I came here because knowing that Bonga-Bonga had a menu of "Cassava Leaves". This menu is very familiar in my family, even with different spices.
The way of serving food at Bonga-Bonga is indeed appetizing. Make customers able to order a lot of menus, and without knowing it, it feels like a wallet is robbed.
Like what happened to me, I chose several menus at the same time which finally made me feel like I was spending money on this restaurant.
I chose a side dish of cassava leaves, chicken flavored by spices "pinandar", bamboo shoots, and 3 types of chili sauce. The menu looks a little bit, but it turns out the price is not small. But that is reasonable because to produce an authentic taste in a moderen city that is not native to a tribal residence is indeed difficult.
The resulting taste is strong and distinctive. It cannot be defined by its spice words. For cassava leaves it is also different from what is usually cooked by my mother. Bonga-Bonga truly serves a different taste and is worth trying.
For drinks, I choose the refreshing Es Kelapa Jeruk (Orange Juice With Young Coconut). Quite expensive twice compared to other Indonesian restaurants.
Conclusion
Being in Indonesia, of course, must feel the uniqueness of the various flavors of food in Indonesia. One of them is food from the Batak tribe which has a distinctive character with strong spices.
Bonga-Bonga is worth a visit to feel the atmosphere of the Batak tribe that is warm, and full of togetherness.
Something traditional in modern times is worth trying so that something traditional still exists and preserves the culture of a tribe.
Bonga-Bonga wants to exist for the general public with a traditional menu that has character.
MORE INFORMATION
- Location: Jl. Cipete Raya No.26, RT.4 / RW.3, South Cipete, Cilandak, South Jakarta City, Jakarta 12410
- Opening hours: 11.00 AM - 10 PM
- Official Instagram Account: https://www.instagram.com/bongabongalapo/
- Price range: 100-150 per person
See you at the next Yummy Traveler!
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Restaurant Information
Bonga-Bonga
J, Jl. Cipete Raya No.26, RT.4/RW.3, South Cipete, Cilandak, South Jakarta City, Jakarta 12410, Indonesia
[Yummy Traveler #24] Bonga-Bonga: A Tale of Magic And Spices From Batak Tribe
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