Ngo Hiang : The Legend from Gang Aut Bogor

Almost every time I mention Bogor as a culinary spot, the name Suryakencana pops up as well. This street remains attractive after so many years, thanks to a few eateries that preserve it's local taste. They should've got legendary medal of some sort.

One of them is Ngo Hiang Gang Aut. I recall coming here more than five years ago on a food-safari date with a friend who must took anti-cholesterol pills before she swallows these pork delicacies. It was a bit nostalgic when I got back here last December. The thick muddy brown sauce that covers the pork roll is still of the same smell. Mildly sweet, savory, and would only make sense if you eat it with the ngo hiang. You'll find it weird the first time, but after a while you'll get used to it.

Being an easily bored person as I am, I was not satisfied with one meal. The catchy name Pangsit Pengantin won my attention. One bowl after, I discovered it was nothing more than rice noodle soup with slices of chicken rollade and fried pangsit. The urban legend tells that it is usually served in weddings, thus the name 'pengantin'. Worth trying but not revisiting.

These are just two of oh-so-many gems that you could try along Suryakencana. I myself has been coming back to the next door Sotomie Agih for a few times. It also won appraisal from a few of my good friends. But everytime I got there, I was never with my SLR. Too bad, that review has got to wait. Before that happen, you might also want to visit a few recommended spot as laid out by our senior food blogger, Kang Banyumurti here.

Bogor is less than an hour away. With the extra of cool windy fresh(er) air and great food, it's worth escaping every once in a while. Oh, you could drop by Ah Poong, Sentul on your way there too.

I'm down with flu, but that doesn't stop me from writing. Stay healthy. Stay smileful.

Cheers,

Fellexandro Ruby
Food Storyteller & Photographer

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Ngo Hiang Gang Aut
Jl. Suryakencana No. 309A
Ph: (0251) 328749

Ah Poong (Pasar Apung) Sentul : Curated Good Food

Curated (v.) : select, organize, and look after the items in (a collection or exhibition).

Ah Poong, a wordplay of apung (or floating in English) is an example of extensive collaborative work. This time between Pak Bondan and the gang behind Eat & Eat. Applying the similar concept but moving the whole food court into a private secluded area in Sentul. Twist it with a few fun stuff for the kids to play with and voila, you got yourself a new go-to family spot.

Speaking of la familia, I went there with my crowd of Sydneysiders who happen to be back in Jakarta for a few weeks, and man do they have the appetite. An enormous craving for Indonesian food I must say. Here's what I love culinaring (yeah I just made out that word) with them : the communal spirit. It's never about one personal satisfaction but rather the enjoyment of trying as many food as possible as a group. You can see where this is going, can't you? Yes, we had on our table more than 20 different dishes and drinks to share with. Bazinga! That's the way to dine.

What you're about to see is a series of photos. What he ate, what she drinks, what I see, and what we experienced. I couldn't recall most of the prices, we don't keep count at the tab anyway. You could make an approximation yourself if you've dined at Eat & Eat before.

Interesting sight to see here are: (1) That some of the stalls are not available in Jakarta or other Eat & Eat branches, (2) with the space this big (2.670 m2), there are a lot more options to choose from, (3) when Pak Bondan curated the stuffs you can safely confide to his maknyus tongue.

I suggest coming here with a group of friends or with your family. Its quite a long drive to Sentul, you might as well chill around here for a while, or head to Bogor after for more culinary delights just like we did.

I really enjoyed being the culinary tour lead that day. Thank you for the company, Sydneysiders. Until the stars are aligned again. =D

Without further adue, let me welcome you, Ah Poong, Pasar Apung Sentul (just inside Sentul City).

Cheers,

Fellexandro Ruby
Food /Travel Photographer & Storyteller

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Mie Kepiting Kalimantan (Close to the original).

Martabak Kupang (One of my favorite on the trip).

Teh Tarik

This Batagor is so friggin' good.

Kiamboy w/ Soda (On a hot day, this is superb thirst quencher)

Cing Cau with Ginger (Ehm, a bit too serious for a hot day)

One of the many Soto Stalls.

See the happy faces?

One of the rides. What makes it 'apung' I suppose.

Word on the street. The best Nasgor Pete in Bogor.

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Ah Poong (Pasar Apung)
Inside Sentul City
(Exit Tol Sentul Selatan)
Ph

[Photo Review] Makaroni Panggang Bogor

Halooo, sudah cukup lama semenjak postingan saya yang terakhir. Apa kabar semua? Masih doyan makan? Gooooood! Let's get drooling then.

Perjalanan kali ini mengincar Makaroni Panggang yang pernah saya cicipi rasanya beberapa tahun silam (YES! akhirnya bisa pake kata 'silam' -- berasa hebat =p). Rasanya sudah samar sekali, namun alam bawah sadar saya entah mengapa sudah tertanam kalau makaroni panggang itu enak! Penasaran karena lupa rasanya, akhirnya saya dan beberapa kawan berangkut-angkut dari Jakarta menuju kota Hujan itu.

Dan BINGO! Kota Hujan itu benar-benar diderasi titik air hujan hingga saya mengorbankan sepatu saya tenggelam dalam genangan air. Pakaian tersiram rintiknya hujan. Sungguh sebuah perjuangan. Tapi semuanya terbayar lunas waktu hidangan di bawah ini disajikan.

Buat saya highlight'nya tetep Makaroni Panggang-nya yang memang specialty-dish nya. Inovasi yang coba dibuat seperti Lasagna Gulung menurut saya (maaf) kurang menghibur lidah saya dan kawan-kawan. Akhirnya menu ini bersisa. Saya lebih menikmati mengambil foto nya dibandingkan dengan mengunyah rasanya di mulut. Sekali lagi makaroni panggangnya JUARA! Dan saya pun merekam kembali di amygdala saya betapa nikmatnya paduan rasa cheese yang kental dengan wangi beef yang bercampur dalam lembutnya lapisan makaroni. Ternyata my subconcious was right. Andai sarapan saya setiap hari ini. Woooh, pasti hari-hari saya dimulai dengan senyum yang merekah (dan perut yang membulat).

Okelah, daripada banyak berbicara (dan semakin susah menahan ludah), lebih baik sambangi langsung Jalan Salak No. 24 Bogor. Oh and photos are courtesy of my own and the amazing stylist Andrea Sharon. =)
Tersenyumlah, Bersinarlah.

Rubs
(follow me on Twitter @captainruby)