Who says that Indonesians don’t eat pancakes for breakfast and even queuing for it? You will find out about it early in the morning at Jalan Cihapit, Bandung.
Waking up as early as 5.30am just to get a good breakfast may be too much for many, especially in the icy cold early morning Bandung. But some people do that and getting the first cream of the crop for this particular breakfast gives you the bragging right.
You will find the busy Jalan Cihapit is as drowsy as everyone else early in morning but certainly not for this serabi stall. It is, by the way, called surabi in Bandung and technically quite different than Solo’s version of serabi. Upon seeing on how it is made and the characters found on it, this is clearly what we call as the Indonesian-style pancake. It is suitable for breakfast and comes with many flavors with cheese, meat, or egg. However if you ask me, I’d go for the traditional flavors.
So make your queue by asking the person-in-charge for packaging to jot down your order in the queue list. The traditional types would be the plain and simple surabi and the one topped with oncom – the fermented soybean leftovers from making tempe. The process is relatively simple as the rice flour batter was already made and all they need is to pour it on a customized shaped griddle, grilled upon charcoals.
The grilling process took probably around a bit more than a couple of minutes for each serabi but since everyone usually orders around a dozen for takeaways, that’s why patience becomes the tested virtue for any of us who queue for these delicious small creatures.
Of course, the wait was worth it. I had probably the best time of my life enjoying it and began to think that all those pancakes that my mother had bought me since I was a kid was something that I took for granted. It was a newfound spirit of appreciation for this lovely yet simple, traditional creation. Not only that it is flavorful, but you can’t resist its fluffiness and how tempting it is when served hot.
Oh how I miss Bandung already now…
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SURABI TRADISIONAL CIHAPIT Halal-friendly Suitable for vegetarians
Address:
Jalan Cihapit (in front of Toko Djitu), Bandung – Indonesia
Opening hours:
Daily, 6am – 12pm
Spend: IDR 3,000 – IDR 6,000 / serabi
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Featured in THE FOODIE MAGAZINE April 2015 edition
The layered mille crepes were already smooth and silky as it is. So, this is a great substitute than the pancake itself. Initially I felt as if I was burdened with the overly sweet flavor but as I dug my way through, I can suddenly feel the harmony of everything. The walnut and the ice cream of course, made it even more wonderful.
This was simply awesome!
I’d like to have this again for my Iftar dessert. Hopefully I can make a visit to Pancious soon! 😉
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PANCIOUS
Access the website for the locations –
Jakarta, Bandung, Surabaya, and Makassar, Indonesia
Pancake dan waffle selalu mengingatkan saya pada Bandung, dimana untuk kali pertama beberapa tahun yang lalu Nanny’s Pavillon hadir di Indonesia. Di luar dugaan ternyata kedua jenis makanan ini mampu bertahan hingga kini bahkan Nanny’s Pavillon semakin terasa kehadirannya. Tidak hanya itu, Nanny’s Pavillon juga selalu menghadirkan suasana berbeda di setiap outlet-nya dan menawarkan berbagai produknya dengan harga yang cukup terjangkau meskipun bersaing dengan restoran-restoran lain di dalam shopping mall.
Heavy Alvin’s Potato
Sesuai namanya, Nanny’s Pavillon bercerita tentang sebuah keluarga pecinta makanan, sehingga banyak dari menunya dinamai tokoh-tokoh yang terdapat pada keluarga sang Nanny. Misalnya saja Heavy Alvin’s Potato, satu menu pembuka yang ingin segera saya nikmati sambil menonton film di bioskop namun sayangnya tidak mungkin saat itu. Bagaimana mungkin saya tidak menyukai menu yang satu ini? Perhatikan perpaduan keripik kentang homemade ala Nanny’s yang mengelilingi selimut keju mozzarella yang berisi saus tomat dan baked beans. I can’t get enough of it!
Kimberly’s Green Sausage Pasta
Keceriaan berlanjut dengan menu Kimberly’s Green Sausage Pasta – spaghetti yang menggunakan saus pesto dan sosis serta jamur. Saus pesto yang merupakan percampuran berbagai herbs memberikan rasa segar yang ringan namun berhasil diimbangi dengan protein dari sosisnya. Sementara spaghetti-nya sendiri sudah terasa al dente.
Ynez’s Blueberry Cheese Roll Pancake
Sebagai penutup, dua lembar pancake gulung yang berisikan saus cream cheese, blueberry sauce, serta es krim vanilla tanpa disangka menjadi kesenangan saya tersendiri, apalagi sembari menikmati regukan Nanny’s Cocktail yang berisikan potongan berbagai buah segar sebagai penyeimbangnya. Saus keju yang biasanya membuat cepat menjadi kenyang justru malah menggenapi rasa lapar yang tersisa dari fase sebelumnya.
Nanny’s Cocktail
Senang rasanya di titik ini tren menikmati sajian pancake dan sejenisnya masih bertahan. Saya berharap Nanny’s tetap konsisten dengan kualitasnya dan terus menelurkan ide-ide baru dalam berbagai masakannya.
Several years have passed and the pancake fever may have not yet subsided here in Indonesia. It was all began with Pancious and now we have Nanny’s Pavillon, a more ambitious player who keeps on opening new stores of different theme even until this very day. Aside from them are mostly the give-it-a-shot opportunists, some ended their endeavor quite swiftly and the rest survives until God knows when.
Basically, what they do revolve around serving pancakes or its derivatives by creating eye candy combinations from sweet to savory toppings. Even so, what’s best for me is still the traditional version with butter on the top and flooded with maple syrup, sometimes I add a good old scoop of vanilla ice cream there. Sounds good right?
Okay, with all these ravings over this Western staple dish which usually consumed during breakfast time there and that we can compare it with the all time favorite nasi uduk or bubur ayam, it became obvious that things have slowed down after a few years of its existence. Even so, Yuky Penkeik arrived boldly and flourishes ever since much to my surprise.
Yuky Penkeik resides just beside a courtyard in a salubrious neighborhood nearby Jalan Dago, Bandung and presented itself in a small wooden hut. Around the neighborhood also, we can find similar endeavors using the same presentation. I didn’t know who started it but this concept clearly feels cleaner than the usual hawker but also less intimidating than a restaurant and in the end, everybody likes it a lot!
Its pancakes may be too simple and not that satisfying if compared with other established compadres I mentioned earlier but then again Yuky Penkeik easily attracts students mostly since it is of close proximity with two famous national universities and Jalan Dago and of very affordable price. Make no mistake, even from this humble exterior, a full-house is pretty much guaranteed especially during lunchtime and afternoon tea time.
Well, I cannot guarantee full satisfaction from its dishes especially that last time I had a very salty spaghetti bolognese. Even so, I had a really good time enjoying a hot tea time there with my wife after a rainy afternoon. So next, I am aiming for Yuky Penkeik’s comrade just across the street, Bestik Demang.
Hummingbird is the latest and a very fine addition to the already enriched modern culinary of Bandung. Jakarta may boast its high-profile or international franchise brands, but Bandung with its budding cafe with their ability to manipulate or sometimes notoriously imitating but often they can offer the better quality and fiercely competitive in price.
Located on an increasingly busy and popular Jl. Progo just nearby the ever-populated fashion outlets and Jonas Photo in Martadinata vicinity, Hummingbird can be easily recognized from its white ‘bird nest’ that covers the outdoor seats. But trust me that you wouldn’t wanna be seated there on a bright sunny day.
So what’s it like inside? Well, first of all Hummingbird preserves the stature of the old colonial house it resides in but revamping the interiors only with modern style minimalist concept that relies heavily on woodwork, let alone the colonial era tiles.
The name Hummingbird itself is not just for show but you will see that they paint the details about the bird all over the walls inside. This reminds me of my cousin who cares so much about biology and he can definitely take pictures about the nature! Aside from that, the place itself is very neatly decorated and quite comfortable though most of the times are full of patrons. Well, be sure to reserve first unless you wanna get ‘grilled’ outside. I imagine though that the lighting would be very nice once the day gets dark.
As for the menu, it reminds me a lot about Kitchenette and definitely about the pancake fever lately caused by either Pancious or Nanny’s Pavillon. Luckily, Hummingbird stays off the pancake but instead follows Kitchenette to the realm of crepes and galette.
Yes, Ladies and Gentlemen. Allow me to introduce the new culture of modern dining, imported from France and the only herald in Bandung so far is Hummingbird! The remodeled diner a la casual and rustic French and Italian is the very heart of Hummingbird. But of course they also serve steaks and Asian course.
The usual soup and salad section is available as a good opener. Influenced heavily with potato, leek, mushroom, pumpkin, or just plain chicken and corn. Whilst the salad section also plays around with greens, chicken, and ham but also adopting Asian touch such as a bit of wasabi dressing or marinated beef with lemongrass. It’s best to just set your course from the beginning if you happen to rely on the Asian style opener, then it’s best for you to continue it with the so-called Grazing menu such as the Vietnamese Spring Rolls or Indonesian Beef Risolesand even the fried calamari with togarashi. If you want a good Western fix, then there’s always the fries, chips, and the escargot.
Potato Croquetas
Instead I picked their most recommended Potato Croquetas. It’s basically croquettes filled with beef ham and cheese served with dipping sauce. Each croquettes is served upon a Chinese spoon and there were 5 of them. Be careful because it’s hot and it’s best to just put a bit surgery and let the smokes come out then you’ll see the intriguing yet tempting melted cheese coming out of it! So quickly take the croquettes to the cold and tangy oriental sauce. Dip it. And there you go, a very inviting and appetizing opener! Don’t ruin it with the chili sauce because it’s already impeccable!
Not long after that, we were quickly served with the mains and that definitely ruined the goodness of an appetizer. Perhaps I should have told them to just bring it one by one but what to do anyway? It’s not a fine dining so just simply drop the attitude and just get along with the fun!
Lucifer Galette
I did that and my oh my, look at the dishes we had that day for lunch. For me, a galette dish called Lucifer and the fun came from the good beef patties with mustard plus the sunny side up egg with onion jam and a cherry tomato. This reminds me a lot with the one I had way earlier at Kitchenette but I felt more contented and it’s definitely way cheaper (almost half the price!). Aside from that, it was a good dish where they can elaborate the elements gracefully and with the hidden cheese, everything to me seemed like a dream come true. The savory beef patties combined with the honey mustard and the great onion jam with the brilliant sunny side up. That’s what I call a galette and I can rest easy, once again, with the price.
Mushroom Stroganoff
Next the two great pasta dishes. The first one would be the Mushroom Stroganoff. I’m not sure what to make of the name but the dish was just excellent. The fettuccine was gloriously sauced with cream and herb butter. This may be tricky because my previous experience at A Tavola, the cream sauce was just not good enough but here, it’s just different. It’s not that creamy but the taste was just surfaced and keeps on calling me to dig and dig and dig even though it’s my mom’s dish. Haha.. Moreover, the generous mushrooms and colorful paprika were just too indulging. I had a wonderful time enjoying the creamy fettucine with the fried and non-fried mushrooms plus the exotic and colorful paprika. It was just awesome.
Spicy Volcano Tuna
The second pasta dish was the Spicy Volcano Tuna and this is what I call spicy but indulging. At times, whenever I encountered a heavily spiced dishes, I’d just runaway and hide somewhere in the corner but not this one. The tuna fragrant was just too inviting to be missed and it melts good with this spicy aglio alio based spaghetti! The best thing about both dishes was that you wouldn’t wanna add parmesan or olive oil, let alone the misleading chili sauce because they were already good just the way they supposed to be!
In the end, close it with one of their pride, the Hummingbird Nectar. I got us the litchi fix and we were very satisfied with the balanced sweetness and freshness of it. We were left very satisfied in the end but more questions arose since I’m getting curious about their other dishes and especially their consistency. Surely they have made a formidable reputation with such great dishes but can they come up with future competitions? Consistency is the first key of success because if they can keep up with their style and deliciousness plus the fact that they compete seriously in terms of pricing, I believe in no time Hummingbird will lead the modern cuisine in Bandung. Hell, they’re the pride of Bandung today!
Halal Meter:Though not openly proclaimed halal as far as I know but they are using beef for their hams. That’s a good sign for a start.
Vegetarian Friendly:Yes, but limited only to soups, salads, sweet crepes and breakfast menu. Customization is to be questioned.
Ambience & Interior:A preserved old colonial house but with a warm touch of casual and modern interior of a chic eatery. The ‘bird nest’ covering the outdoor seats is the coolest part of the joint.
Service:Too busy to be of any help. Just remind them more and be patient though, they’d be very helpful in the end.
