What better way to end a long hard way, than to go out for a good meal. Known for his cooking shows on a national TV, Chef Odie Djamil took time out from his busy schedule and gladly bought The Foodie Magazine to his favorite spot for comfort food. Off we went to Kemang and found Warung Mbak Heni, Chef Odie’s favorite hawker stall.

‘It’s always the same formula for me. Rice, telur dadar (omelette), teri kacang (stir-fried anchovies with peanuts), and sliced cuttlefish,’ said Odie with a big smile. Although this typical Central Javanese dishes are by default already spicy, Odie added a spoonful of sambal hijau (green chili sambal) for more flavor! ‘Well, you know what they say about eating spicy food – I’m sweaty but I’m happy!,’ exclaimed the happy chef.

At Warung Mbak Heni, unless you have your own formula like Odie, expect to experience difficulty in choosing what to eat because of the bountiful options to choose from. You can find gudeg, krecek, opor, fried noodles, stir-fry bean sprouts, shrimps, chicken intestines balado, and other colorful Javanese dishes.

In between mouthfuls, Odie said: ‘Aside from this one, I also enjoy the bakso (meatballs) Malik from around Pancoran because they serve it with peyek (crackers with peanuts sometimes added with anchovies). It’s not for everyone, but I’ve loved it ever since I was a kid’, he said sentimentally. After that line, he was quiet. He doesn’t talk with his mouth full!

WARUNG MBAK HENI
Address: Jalan Kemang (nearby Umbra) – Jakarta
Opening hours: Opens after 6 pm until late

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Featured in THE FOODIE MAGAZINE December 2013 edition

Download it for free here via SCOOP!

Photos by: Dennie Benedict