Traveling is more than just visiting a famous destination for the 'gram. It is also more than just beautifully captured memories. It can enrich us especially when we go to a place where its culture is different than ours. And, sometimes, we ended up falling in love with its ways of living and even the cuisine of the place.

Inspired from an adventure...

Just like the couple from Parot Siramami, who ventured to Indochina and fell in love with their cuisine. Their little adventure made them bring Indochina cuisine to their home country Indonesia, and neatly packaged the whole experience as if we’re transferring to a cute aesthetic café in Hanoi.

I visited the place about a couple months ago, during the time I was exploring Yogyakarta as a tourist. For someone who claims to know the region like the back of my hand, this homey restaurant surprisingly was something new.

It was exactly like the moment I am writing this; the skies were somber & I was craving something brothy, something that would enliven my mood. So, I randomly explored map and I found this place, Parot Siramami, which to be fair looked pretty sketchy. What first came to my mind was, is this an actual place?

I scanned through the menu and found something rarely found in typical Indochina restaurant, Khao Soi. I have to say & feel free to disagree with me that a marker for authentic Thai/Indochina places outside the region is in their depth of menu that includes more than the typical most-ordered menu.

Thai cuisine is more than just Pad Thai or Tom Yum. There are wide varieties that needs to be highlighted more such as Khao Soi, a rich broth noodle soup with crispy topping. The same goes with Vietnamese cuisine where the highlight has always been Pho, there is a meal called Bún chả which is grilled meat served with glass noodle and herbs.

I’ve had Khao Soi both in Thailand and also Laos and as a Thai person would phrase it, the taste of the two are “same same but different”. That was the reason why I was sold, I want to experience Khao Soi and reliving those days when I randomly ate khao soi at a sketchy mall in Laos.

How To Find Them...

Parot siramami isn’t exactly easy to find but it’s nothing impossible with google map. Its location is in an alleyway nestled among local houses in the bustling areas of Yogyakarta. For tourist, it is the perfect spot as it is only 10 minutes ride from Malioboro or adjacent areas.

I was greeted by the lady at the counter who will take our order. She was very friendly and told me about the whole story of why the restaurant was established. Around the counter, they also sell Knick and knacks from Vietnam, Thailand and the neighbouring countries. The overall ambience of the place was a mix of homey but also, they do their best helping us feel as if we’re being teleported to Vietnam.

What do they serve?

Since they are not exclusively Thai restaurant, their menu varies, picking the best representation of the Indochina cuisines. In which, I was glad they consider Khao soi as that is the most underrated menu and rarely found in Indonesian’s Thai restaurant and café.

I was with a friend at the time and this was how our table looked. We sampled not only Khao Soi but Som Tam and Bún chả. Soon after our food arrived, our table looks like we were feeding a whole village.

My verdict!

I have to say, the Som Tam was a little inauthentic. Something just didn’t taste quite right as it was also one of my staples when I was living in Thailand. I was disappointed because the savory of the fish sauce was a lot different from what I had there. I also typically had om tam poo pla ra which includes fresh crab and that was so delicious. I’d only give their Som Tam 5/10.

The Khao Soi was brothy, rich and aromatic. It almost is a familiar taste I’ve ever experienced. It didn’t disappoint and definitely recommended. I would say that I am giving it a 7/10, quite considerable since it’s a meal made outside of its original country.

Their Bún chả reminded me of this experience when I was living in Laos. I got quite confused as I bought spring rolls but came back with assorted leaves that got me laughing so hard as in my mind, spring rolls is just spring rolls. But in Laos especially that part with significant Viet population, I came back with even more things. So, Bún chả was like that, it was chicken meat adapted to typical Indonesian cuisine and also comes with glass noodles and assorted vegetables. Solely based on my personal memory and taste, I’d rate it 6/10, it wasn’t that bad nor that good.

If you’re traveling to Yogyakarta but want to try something off the beaten path & something Savory instead of sweet, this place is a go-to and they’ll warmly greet you and serve you some of their delicious brothy soup noodles.

See you around!