Through my travels, I've determined that culture is best experienced through food. So far, it holds true for Indonesia as well. We headed out to an up-scale Indonesian restaurant in our neighborhood and were enamored with the atmosphere and cuisine.
Lara Djonggrang is tucked back from the noisy street and, after you walk beyond the pretty banyan trees hung with lanterns and candle-lit entrance, you enter a different space--a rather delicious one as it turns out.
Indonesian food in general is spicy and tasteful - after all, the world did fight over its cloves, nutmeg, and other spices! We ordered some typical dishes - sate, or basically seasoned grilled meat on a stick served with chili sauce called sambal, and nasi (rice) with a variety of delicious side dishes. Since landing in Jakarta, we've tried lots of other dishes, including my favorite peanut-sauce and vegetable salad, gado-gado and rendang, a spicy beef dish.
The next couple years look to be incredible tasteful adventures with food variations from island to island to island. Yum!
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| Lara Djonggrang |
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| An inviting doorway with candles and art |
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| Lanterns hung in the banyan tree outside |
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| Pretty decor |
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| Red rice artfully plated |
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| Fancy sate served in a seashell with spicy sambal |
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| Chicken and various savory dishes |
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