An authentic Indonesian eatery worth trying!

Sari Nusa, Dubai, Cuisine: Indonesian

Posted on July 16th, 2011 by ScribbleliciousEats

Since my South-East Asian restaurant hunt-about in Dubai, I am quite sure there are still a handful left to be discovered. It doesn’t bother me if they’re located in the crowded backstreets of old Dubai or in a fancy setting at a hotel because I only chase for ONE thing… Flavours that fixes my homesickness.

Sari Nusa is a modest inexpensive Indonesian eatery situated along the streets of Satwa (easy to spot the red signage if you drive or walk by). Unheard by many, I assume -by observing their customers- it’s a highly talked-about restaurant among Indonesian residents/ tourists.

It was through a Malaysian friend that sanely INSISTED it’s the bes tIndonesian/ Malaysian cooking she’s had in UAE.
Here’s two reasons why I was convinced; The chef himself hails from Indonesia, Malay cuisine/ recipes were influenced by generations-ago traders migrated from Indonesia. Hence the spicy aromatic similarities of ingredients and herbs in their cooking.

As we walked into the suprisingly clean and pleasant interior, the familiar piquant aromas brought back food memories of Malay cooking I used to have during lunch breaks at work.

Above photo shows trays of vibrantly spiced dishes sitting deliciously on a counter. This typical concept (Nasi Bungkus= Packed/ Mixed rice or Nasi Padang) is seen everywhere in Malaysia, adding different dishes on a plate of rice, for both take-away/ eat-in purposes during lunch or dinner.

Without reading the menu, I recognized our favourites or what most Malaysians tend to order on a regular day at a casual restaurant.

Left to right photo: Cucur Udang (Prawn Fritters, a popular appetizer/ afternoon snack) and Kikil(Indonesian Cow Leg Curry)

Nasi Goreng Kampong (Fried Rice topped with Fried Egg)

Dishes I chose with my plate of rice were: Balado Teri (Spicy Chili dried baby anchovies), Sayur Nangka (Vegetable curry) and Ayam Rendang.

And to end our bloaty lunch-venture, I had to order my all time favourite fried dessert/ nibbles: Pisang Goreng Kayu-Kayu (Fried Banana Fritters with cheese). Back in Malaysia we have it without the cheese toppings, it must be an Indonesian thing I suppose.

We were impressed with their selections and generous santan (coconut milk)-turmeric-galangal-chillies infused gravies that kept us hungry all hour long!

If you’re not bored out eating Indonesian/ Malaysian food yet, head over to this authentic Indonesian fare for a mouth-watering meal.

SARI NUSA
Location: Satwa (Ground Floor of Dune Building/ Belhoul Hospital).

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