Found this humble cafe, tucked away behind the main row of shops, away from the busting sunday crowd of Lucky Plaza… And we were glad that we did, as they serve some authentic Indonesian Cuisines, not cooked or tuned to SG taste buds.
We had their Gudeg With Rice set that boasted caramelized and subtly sweet tender stewed jackfruit, served with fluffy white rice, accompanied with succulent pieces of coconut-braised chicken, stewed beef skin, and a perfectly braised hard bolied egg.
Every bite gave a nice mix of sweet, savory and heat, after mixing sambal into the dish. The bold flavours and texture of this dish, had also reminded me of what i ate before in Yogyakarta, the place of origin for this heritage dish.
Their Empal Gentong had generous serving of tender beef chunks swimming in a creamy, spiced coconut curry broth with rich flavours from garlic, coriander and turmeric. Served with fluffy white rice, its hearty, fragrant, savory and a little spicy.
Other than the 2 mains, we ordered their Bakwan Jagung that came in three Golden brown pieces, Crispy and full of sweet corn Crunch on the outside, fluffy inside and balanced in flavours. Its nice overall and reminded me of what my auntie’s indonesian helper had made before. However i personally preferred the version where corn kernels are blended, mixed with the dough and full kernels again.
Tohu Goreng served, also came in 3 pieces. Crispy on the outside, soft on the inside, but fillings of cucumber and blanched beansprouts, were lacking in portion thus felt short of balance in overall flavours and bite texture.
Last came their Tempe Mendoan. We were confused on 1st bite as the battered Tempe for this dish was supposed to be briefly fried, resulting in a thin crispy crust but still soft inside (Semi-cooked like what the name of the dish suggested), but what served were normal deep-fried battered Tempe with well cooked internal instead, thus Tempe not soft. However, the dish was good, in terms of bite texture and flavours, as Tempe Goreng not Mendoan.
Overall, we enjoyed our lunch and managed to subdue our craving for authentic Indonesian cuisines. Service staffs or bosses were friendly and warm, efficient and attentive 👍🏻 We will return for their dishes for sure.
It's my 3rd time here and I cannot recommend this restaurant enough. If you wanna get a taste of authentic indo (mostly javanese) cuisines that aren't commonly found in sg (gudeg + krecek, empal gentong), you MUST visit Manise.
Their sate ayam is AMAZING. Gudeg & krecek has been our go to order as well. This time we tried empal gentong, rawon, bubur ayam, they're also very good, would definitely come for the empal gentong.
Mendoan & bakwan are also good and they're served with rawit ijo 😭🫶, even the tempe mendoan got that dark edges which look exactly the tempe you'll find anywhere in Java.
Update: Nasi gorengnya enak banget. The best in SG so far for me 😭
Found a hidden gem in Lucky Plaza! I tried the Gudeg and Empal Gentong and both were fantastic. Tahu isi have green Chilli which is a big plus as well.
It seems to be a family-run place, they’re very kind and always smiling.
Looking for true Indonesian Food? Well this place is an “Wow” in my books! Another “hole in the wall” that you must try! True Authentic East Javanese food! If you ever swing by Lucky Plaza; hungry and want to try something new! Well this place truly hits that special spot in your stomach! Fulfilling that emptiness in you!
Order: Nasi Campur Beef Set
Taste: 5 star
In one dish you get marinated soft beef that’s falls apart as you chew. With crunchy and the perfection of the clean one rice grain at a time! Truly an dance of textures as my tongue plays on.
Price: 5 star
For what you play the flavors and textures that you get is truly worth it! Filling you and allow you to walk away satisfied and full.
Ambiance: 4 Star
Need to work of the look or the feel. Suggest playing some nice Indonesian instrumental music.
Thank you everyone for reading this post, as I walk through the surface of Earth. Trying to fill my mouth with the taste and textures of ingredients!
Yummy Indo food packed with lots of flavor & meat! Great value for money. Ordered rawon surabaya, soto lamongan & grilled chicken, all of this w rice & it costs us $27! They are also featured on halal food hunt IG.
As a native of East Java I must say the rawon doesn't taste like rawon. It's also served in paper bowls. The soup was salty and didn't smell like rawon. Drinks are also expensive, a coke cost 2.50 and a teh botol 3 or 3.50. Maybe their nasi campur is nicer but won't be coming back for their rawon.
Ayam Penyet was really delicious and crispy – love the chicken skin! I think that portion is just nice, not too much and not too less. A plate of Ayam Penyet is $8.50, about the same cost as the standard ones sold in food courts.
The place was not crowded during 3pm when I went and I was the only one eating there. I will be back to try the other dishes!
Nice Surabaya meal. We ordered Nasi Campur Legend Beef $11. It consist of braised beef, braised egg, tofu, soun (green bean vermicelli), and sambal. We also add bakso sapi (it's a rotating special menu). Overall taste is very good. Definitely will visit again to try other menus. The star in my taste is the sambal. It's very hot. I hope they keep it that way and not try to tone it down. Recommended.
Found this very nice Indonesian Surabaya food, hidden in Lucky Plaza. All food is nice, and very friendly owner too. Will come again to try other dishes. 😍👍👍😋😋