EN Japanese Dining Bar

My first post on En Dining can be found on December 2010 and did this double entry because the food I had this time round is completely different and too good to be missed. As always why I had dinner at En Dining was because there were 20 of us and wanted to watch soccer (Manchester United Vs Manchester City). However after this trip, I think I might be coming back soon not because of the fact they have a big TV with ESPN on it but for the first time I enjoyed the food. Thanks to my friend "Marwin", he knew the good dishes on the menu and changed my perspective on this restaurant.

Menu : Aburi Chasu

Price : Rp 42,000 ++
Score : 6.8 / 10

>> GOOD STUFF ! I know this grilled stewed pork is very fatty and very high in cholesterol but my tongue knew better that this is very yummy ! The soy sauce mixture at the bottom of the meat cuts into the fatty taste and the generous onion gave a crunchy texture.

Menu : Amiyaki Beef

Price : Rp 98,000++

Score : 7.5 / 10

>> This grilled sirloin beef with spicy ponzu sauce dish was a true surprising delight. I didn't expected this to taste good. I merely choose this from the menu base on the picture. I felt the ponzu sauce tasted more like salsa but nevertheless what ever the sauce was, this was really GOOD !

Menu : Beef Carpaccio
Price : Rp 68,000++
Score : 6.5 / 10

» The first time I had carpaccio was tuna fish meat. Instead this one was thin sliced raw beef with special sauce. I'm really a big fan of sour!! The surprising fact was that even though it is pure raw beef, it's not disgusting. The meat was fresh!! 

Menu : Crab Chahan

Price : Rp 85,000++

Score : 7.5 / 10

>> If you are bored of having normal fried rice then you should definitely try this ! This japanese fried rice has crab soup that 'pools' around it and on top there was glorious soft shell crab. I love the crab soup the most, really really good together with the fried rice !

Menu : Negi Chasu

Price : Rp 45,000 ++
Score : 7.5 / 10

>> Sliced stewed pork with leek and spring onion. Look very similar with Aburi Chasu but taste BETTER ! The sauce was slightly different, I can't explain what was different but bottom line this is the one you should choose over than Aburi. However, you'll need to order both and find out whether my taste buds are correct.

Menu : Rafte

Price : Rp 72,000 ++
Score : ---

>> I can't score this because I didn't taste this. This is a dish of stewed pork belly and the belly was so thick and fatty that I couldn't make myself taste the food. I know many people love this but seeing the 'look' of the thickness of the belly just made me choose the sliced one instead (Negi & Aburi Chasu).

Menu : Spicy Soft Shell Crab

Price : Rp 68,000 ++
Score : 5.5 / 10

>> This was okay, nothing great in comparison to other better tasting dishes I had tonight. The sauce wasn't spicy enough but the overall, I enjoyed this even though I may not re-order this dish again.

Menu : Dobinmushi

Price : Rp 42,000++
Score : 6.8 / 10

>> Steamed clear soup in Japanese tea pot. The presentation was very unique and the taste was very refreshing and in a way subtle and calming. It wasn't strong infused soup like Tom Yum or Laksa, this was leaning more towards home made soup. Very nice and recommendable !

Menu : Suchika

Price : Rp 58,000 ++
Score : 6.75 / 10

>> Broiled pork marinated with sea salt. This dish is really salty but a great appetizer. It really opens up your taste buds and instantly made you hooked into it. Very crispy, very addictive and very much like this ! Fyi, I ordered a second plate of this as everyone was snatching it way too fast haha !!

Sweet Tooth

If you get to know me better and take notice of my way of eating, you'll know that I am a sugar junkie! I loveeee sweet treats, I need sugary stuff to finish my every meal. Even if it is just a piece of chewing gum, a glass of strawberry smoothie or an elaborate plate of desert I desperately need anything sweet at the end of my meal. If I didn't have any, I'll feel something is odd, something is not right, something is not yet complete. In short, I have a very sweet tooth and so I'll dedicate this post for sugar lovers out there.

Where : Canteen (EX, Plaza Indonesia Extension)

Menu: Chocolate Fondant with Caramel & Vanilla Ice Cream
Price : Rp 35,000++
Score : 7.0 / 10

>> Glorious chocolate!! Slightly bitter chocolate cake with melting sauce oozing from the inside eaten together with sweet vanilla ice cream is just wonderful! I reckon I had better ones but I definitely finished this plate by myself :p

Where : Canteen (EX, Plaza Indonesia Extension)

Menu : Creme Brulee

Price : Rp 35,000++
Score : 6.5 / 10

>> The first scoop didn't taste that good but the more you dig into this, you can't stop. At least, I can't! I specially asked the waitress for a more burn caramel on top and that really increase the 'wow' taste factor.

Where :  Maystar (Emporium Pluit Mall, 4th Floor)

Menu : Coconut Pudding
Price : Rp 42,800 ++
Score : 8.0 / 10

>> Rather expensive but one of the best coconut pudding in town, even better their rival Duck King's. The sweetness and the tender pudding simply melts in your mouth! Heavenly! 

Where : Kiyadon (Several branches all over Jakarta)

Menu : Shiratama Zenzai
Price : Rp 35,000 ++
Score : 6 / 10

>> Even though I'm not a big fan of mochi but this warm mochi is very chewable and pleasant to eat. I love the strong vanilla infused ice cream, I must say it is more fragrant than usual and the asuki beans were sooo yummy, definitely the star of the dessert!

Where : Korean Supermarket or Korean Restaurant

Menu : Ice Cream Sandwich with Cheese Cake
Price : RP 15,000
Score : 7.0 / 10
>> I like this Korean ice cream very much. The sponge cake on the top and bottom is very soft and even though you eat it out straight from the freezer, the cake wasn't icy solid nor difficult to bite through. The ice cream is smooth, no ice crystals and most importantly I can definitely taste the cheese cake flavor.

Where : Pluit Village 4th Floor

Menu : Chocolate and Cheese Doriyaki
Price : RP 7,000 / each
Score : 2.0 / 10
>> I bought this at Pluit Village 4th floor from a doriyaki stand that I forgot to note down the name (but definitely won't ever go back for the 2nd time). It taste bad -___-! The dough was cold and chewy, the filling was spare and so little that I cannot taste the cheese inside. I only had one bite and gave the rest away to my driver.

Where : Any Supermarket

Menu : Ultra Jaya Assorted Flavored Drinks
Price: Sari Asem (Rp 3,500), Sari Kacang Ijo (Rp 2,800)

& Susu Coklat (Rp 4,000)
Score : Average of 6.75 / 10

>> Every time I hit the supermarket, I'll pass by the drinks section and pile on these 3 flavored drinks. Compared to all of the other competitors' brands, Ultra Jaya has better taste, better consistency and from the taste I'm assuming they're only using pure sugar instead of artificial sweeteners.

Where : Food Hall Supermarket

Menu : Mrs Fields Triple Chocolate Cookies
Price : Rp 51,000 / pack (8 pieces inside)
Score : 7.5 / 10

>> Overprice for sure but I feel it is worth it to splurge on great tasting food. The cookies were wrapped individually for freshness. You can taste the moist, chewy and gooey chocolate in all of the cookies every time you bite into it. I love having this in front of the TV watching my favorite drama.

Marutama Ramen

This is my second time to Marutama Ramen and to the same branch in EX Mall. I had a lot of pork dishes today and together with DH we 'piggied' ourselves to the max! I had Ramen the last time I was here and today I tried the Rice dishes too. The side dishes was of coursed wasn't missed by me and by the time we finished, I was all guilty with regards to my cholesterol level. I hope my body understands that, and forgives me :p

Menu : Pork Curry Gohan
Price : Rp 52,000++
Score : 6.0 / 10

» The portion is quite big, the pork meat is tender and juicy. But the curry sauce was too bland. It didn't have enough curry flavor, the seasoning needs to be more definitely!

 

Menu : Pork Chasu Gohan
Price : Rp 38,000++
Score : 6.5 / 10

» Suitable portion for my tummy, not too big that you need to force yourself to finish the dish. To simply say it, it has the right size. I liked the pickled radish they put on top of the chasu. The price wasn't too pricey for the medium sized portion too!

Menu : Karashi Ramen
Price : Rp 52,000++
Score : 7.0 / 10

>> This is the second time I had this Ramen and surprisingly it tastes better this time! I'm sure it is because that soy sauce, pepper and cut chili were poured into this bowl, thus making the broth crazily good!

Menu : Steamed Dumpling
Price : Rp 30,000++
Score : 7.0 / 10

>> I loveeee steamed dumpling in spicy vinegar soy sauce. The spiciness, saltiness and the tartness was incredibly wonderful.

Menu : Kakuni Pork Belly
Price : Rp 30,000++
Score : 6.5 / 10

» This pork belly is soft and succulent even though it has a little bit too much fats, i still like this dish. The sauce is salty and has an unique taste, I recommend eaters to eat this white plain white rice.

Menu : Yaki Chasu
Price : Rp 30,000++
Score : 7.0 / 10

» This is an entree dish and definitely my favorite dish in the entire menu. With a good amount of squeezed lemon all over, sprinkle chives and ask for the house cut chili to complete the whole experience. The fatty part wasn't too overpowering for my taste, just simply yummy!

Menu : Tori Dango
Price : Rp 22,000++
Score : 5.75 / 10

>> These six pieces of chicken meat balls are very small in size, bite size; more like a canape. The flavor is pretty okay but the texture of the meat is too mushy, I rather like it to be more firm and a hint of chili or slightly more pepper.

EN Japanese Dining Bar

EN Japanese Dining Bar is a Japanese Restaurant with specialty in "Okinawan" cuisine which are located in eX, Plaza Indonesia and the other branch at Crystal Lagoon, Senayan City. 

If in any case you had ever wonder what is the meaning of “En”; it is a Japanese word, meaning 'a circle of gathering for friends'.

12 of my friends and I decided to eat here on last Saturday because of 3 reasons. First, there was a soccer match between Indonesia & Laos, so we need ed a restaurant with a TV. Second, there was 12 of us, thus we need a place that was able to contain us. Third, we hate to wait for seats, we wanted a place with NO waiting lists. Gladly enough, EN Dining was there to cater us. The place was fairly comfortable, with homey VIP room and TATAMI room for you who want to do some gathering or banquet.

Menu : Beef Carpaccio
Price : Rp 68,000++
Score : 6.75 / 10

» The first time I had carpaccio was tuna fish meat. Instead this one was thin sliced raw beef with special sauce. I'm really a big fan of sour!! The surprising fact was that even though it is pure raw beef, it's not disgusting. The meat was fresh!!

Menu : Tsumire Nabe Pork
Price : Rp 58,000++
Score : 2.5 / 10

» This is a dish consist of pork meat balls and veges in kimchi soup. Sorry to say this is NOT good. I have to compare every kimchi soup with the one I ate in Gyu Kaku. This soup is lacking in a lot of aspect, not sour, not spicy, not enough kimchi, just not good. Disappointing :(

Menu : Grilled Chicken Teriyaki
Price : Rp 58,000++
Score : 6.2 / 10

» The chicken was grilled but I wished they would had grilled them longer. The skin would have been more crispy. But apart from that, the Teriyaki sauce was pretty nice; sweet and salty with all that typical Teriyaki flavors.

Menu : Tako Rice

Price : Rp 75,000++

Score : 6.5 / 10

>> This is a dish consisting of minced beef and cheese on top with house specialty sauce on top of rice. This was very yummy at the first bite, but when getting 3/4 of the way, you'll want to stop because of the portion and also the cheese that gives an unpleasant effect.

Menu : Honeytsuki Ribs

Price : Rp 105,000++

Score : 6.0 / 10

>> The beef was tender and well cooked. But I felt the sauce was 'dangling and incomplete'. In Bahasa Indonesia, I'd say "'Rasa nya nanggung, setengah2 kurang nendang". Do you understand what I'm saying? It is lacking a little bit of salt, a little bit of sweet and spice. Just a little bit of everything. Last but not least, it would have been much much better if there were less bones too.

Menu : Honeybread
Price : Rp 48,000++
Score : 6.75 / 10

» BIG portion, and very filling if you ate the entire 'castle' by yourself. The outer skin of the bread was crispy and that I reckon was the best part. 3 scoops of vanilla and a good splash of honey resting on top of the center of the bread is reasonably yummy! I wouldn't say this was to die for but not bad at all. Btw, I apologize for not paying attention to the price.

EN JAPANESE DINING BAR

Address : eX Plaza Indonesia 2nd Floor. Jl MH Thamrin Kav 28 - 30, Jakarta 10350
Phone: 021 - 3199 0203

Marutama Ramen

 

Last Friday, I met up with my Melbourne friends for a dinner. We agree to meet at 7.30pm but I arrive close to 8.30pm instead. Blame everything to the jam in the toll and "Jln. Gatot Subroto" --___--lll . We wanted to eat at Social House or Canteen but both places were full and decided to try this Japanese Ramen eatery in Ex, Plaza Indonesia. This restaurant only just open up less than 2 months and if I'm not mistaken I think I ate one time at the other branch in Plaza Senayan. But anyways, just to drool our mouth all over again here are my personal reviews;

Menu : Kakuni Pork Belly
Price : Rp 38,000++
Score : 6.0 / 10

» This dish is a stew, boiled to tender and i really mean tender. Even though it is the belly of the pork, it was not as "disgusting" or oily / yucky as I thought. It was actually quite pleasant, the soy like sauce was nice.

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En Dining : Grilled Chicken Teriyaki Price : Rp 58,000++ Score : 6.2 / 10 » The chicken was grilled but I wished they would had grilled them longer. The skin would have been more crispy. But apart from that, the teriyaki sauce was pretty nice; sweet and salty with all that flavors.

Menu : Yaki Char Siu
Price : Rp 38,000++
Score : 7.0 / 10

» Squirt some lemon over it and apply some fresh chili (ask the waiter for it) and feel the party on your taste buds. Okay, I admit I felt guilty because of the FATS!!! But it was worth it, ohhh I can feel my cholesterol level shooting up :p

Menu : Yaki Gyoza
Price : Rp 30,000++
Score : 5.5 / 10

» This was "okay" for me. The skin was slightly too thick for me but crispy!! There is a choice of pork or chicken meat, I ordered the pork and wasn't as good as "Kwo Tie San Tung". The dipping sauce was sour and tangy, a good combination.

Menu : Karashi Ramen
Price : Rp 52,000++
Score : 6.75 / 10

» The above 3 dish were the starters and here comes the main course! Karashi ramen is slightly more spicy than "Marutama Ramen" but still not spicy at all for me. Maybe my taste buds are completely immune to mild chili. Nevertheless, this has very good calming broth, I love it. A big bowl of thin ramen (very very fulling), 2 slices of 'char siu' and lots of spring onions. I was so full and satisfied leaving the place with a big tummy.

MARUTAMA RAMEN
Address : eX Plaza Indonesia 2nd Floor. Jl MH Thamrin Kav 28 - 30, Jakarta 10350