Portuguese | THE GASTRONOMY AFICIONADO

Yes, yes, I know I may be overdoing this but there’s no denying that I fell in love so deep with Nando’s. This time, it’s the one from Malaysia.

I was probably quite unlucky that when there used to be Nando’s in Jakarta, I missed it big time. However, I paid it dearly during my visits consecutively to Singapore and Kuala Lumpur last time.

Nando’s is ubiquitous in the capital city of Malaysia, but my main concern that time was to actually try the local stuff instead the usual franchised brands.

So the opportunity finally arrives as I was expecting my next flight back to Jakarta at klia2. After carefully choosing which one that would be best for our dinner, of course, Nando’s came up as an obvious choice of all.

It was busy that night but the service was excellent. We were also recommended with Nando’s set for two people which consists of whole chicken with two sides and two drinks. The price was of course, way cheaper than in Singapore and we decided to take the offer.

It was probably one of the best airport dinner I ever had in my entire life. Everything was up to the standard when compared with the one in Singapore, halal-certified, and the chicken with the sides of Mediterranean rice and grilled vegetables were out of this world.

We finished 3/4 of the chicken and decided to bring the rest back home. The waiter was kind enough to provide extra protection for the chicken and the next morning, it was still really good.

Well, I had not complaints at all in terms of everything. The taste was excellent, service was good, and it was really suitable with the pricing (unlike Singapore – sorry). It’s now up to my next trip heading back there sometime soon. Will let you know again if I try something else!

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NANDO’S – MALAYSIA
Halal-certified
Some dishes are suitable for vegetarians

Address (Malaysia only):
http://www.nandos.com.my/nandos_my/restaurants_lists

Website

Opening hours: Daily, 10am – 10pm

Still not straying from my halal conquest while in Singapore, it’s high time now for the world renown chain restaurant Nando’s as my next target.

While the interest in eating Portuguese or African-inspired dishes in Indonesia may still yet to be discovered, or if you want to count Casa de Peri at Kota Kasablanka as its sole representative as of today, I bet that the cuisine’s presence here in Indonesia may actually receive warm welcome.

Nando’s was here in the past but it didn’t go well with the market several years ago. But how about now? There’s indeed a drastic change with how the foodies here on seeing something new!

Talking about how adventurous Jakartans nowadays with their food could be an endless story but for an international chain like Nando’s, they might want to consider entering the market here. Which is why, apart from the fact that it is halal-certified in Singapore, my exploration went actually very well that day.

Initially Casa Bom Vento was the destination but since it has not reached the time to open, our hunger brought us to Nando’s as an exchange. Located inside the all-about-eating mall of 112 Katong on the famous Joo Chiat Road, Nando’s has a share of space and atmosphere which were very comfortable for family dining and for couples like us.

The main star here is of course, the chicken. It can come in quarter size, half chicken, or even whole chicken. Afterwards you can combine the chicken with one or two side dishes such as rice, fries, salad, and anything else.

The chicken came in several degrees of spiciness and of course, the chilies are not the likes of habanero, jalapeno, or bird-eye chilies; but it came from the peri peri chilies. These chilies which originally came from Africa was brought by the Portuguese during the age of spice to India and introduced to the world. Hence, there’s this unique intertwining between Mozambican and Portuguese cuisines in Nando’s dishes.

I went straight with the quarter chicken. It was grilled and smothered with mild peri peri sauce. Instead appearing as the golden or blackened grilled chicken that I always know, it came in the color of cream and has these crunchy charred spots around. When cut open, it was moist and all tender. The flavor was a spot on and it tastes like a vinegary, spicy creamy spread which works so well with everything.

Wanting to ask for the usual chili sauce (oh gimme a break, Rian), the waitress instead pointing me up to this sauce station where I can take different degrees of peri peri sauce, black peppers, and even salad dressing that looks like a pesto sauce.

I took the liberty to try several bottles at once and found out that the mild level is the best among all. The garlic peri peri tastes a bit strong with the garlic and not really up to my liking, and meanwhile the hottest peri peri sauce feels like they are punching it with a lot of tabasco instead of the character of spiciness that Indonesians are accustomed of.

It was a really nice experience at Nando’s with all the kind and swift services, especially of course with the food. It’s not cheap, of course, but let’s say that it’s worth it when once in a while you might want to switch from Chili’s to Nando’s once in a while, if it one day opens in Jakarta.

Please come again for us, Nando’s!

FUN FACT: Nando’s originally came from South Africa.

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NANDO’S – SINGAPORE
Halal-certified
Some dishes are suitable for vegetarians

Address (Singapore only):