Awesome Chashu at Marutama Ramen - Plaza Senayan

Marutama Ramen

Marutama Ramen di Plaza Senayan termasuk yang sangat terkenal (setidaknya masuk 5 besar) di kalangan para pecinta Ramen di Jakarta. Padahal dulu ada beberapa cabang, tapi sekarang tinggal di Plaza Senayan saja adanya. Setiap jam makan sore apalagi kalau hari libur, tempat ini selalu ramai. Kadang sampai ngantri waiting list atau kehabisan beberapa menu.

Pertama kali saya ke sana saya sedang membawa orangtua saya dan mereka tidak mau antri terlalu lama sehingga kami makan di tempat lain. Kedua kali saya datang sendiri tau-tau Marutama nya sedang renovasi. T___T Tapi syukurlah sekarang sudah buka dan bisa saya nikmati. Tadinya saya cemas renovasinya bakal makan waktu lumayan lama.

Marutama Kitchen Bar

Menu di Marutama bisa pilih mau yang versi pakai babi atau tidak. Soup nya sendiri adalah tori paitan yang base nya dibuat dari kaldu ayam. Yang mengandung babi hanya model lauk-lauknya. Jadi selama pesan yang versi ayam harusnya aman bagi yang tidak makan babi.

Zenbu Ramen menjadi pilihan saya supaya bisa sekalian nyobain chasiu, kakuni, dan telurnya dalam 1 mangkok. Soupnya enak, rich n creamy. Tapi agak keasinan untuk selera saya dan saya lebih suka kalau ada sedikit hint rasa gurih manis pada soup nya. mie ramennya sih favorit saya banget. Tipe mie nya yang diameter kecil tapi firm dan solid, legit sewaktu digigit. Kematangan mie nya juga oke banget.

Zenbu Ramen

Telurnya juga dimasak dengan oke dan bumbunya lumayan meresap ke pinggirannya. Bagian putihnya solid tapi lembut empuk sementara kuningnya masih setengah matang dan bisa berbaur ke kuahnya. Tapi yang paling bikin lidah saya bahagia adalah chasiu dan kakuninya. Di Zenbu Ramen, chasiu nya dapat 3 slices sementara kakuninya 2 potong dengan porsi yang lumayan. (nga usah dipikirin itu kandungan lemaknya gimana)

Chasiu enaaaakkk pake banget. Lembut dan gurihnya nendang pol, kayak meleleh di mulut. Kakuninya juga luar biasa, lemaknya yang menyebar ketika masuk mulut sungguh bikin happy. Saya pernah nyoba kakuni yang lebih empuk, tapi mungkin ini chasiu dan kakuni terbaik yang bisa saya temukan di Jakarta sejauh ini. Kalau chasiu atau kakuni nya dimakan bersama mie ramen dan soup sekaligus itu rasanya sungguh mantap di mulut.

Marutama Signature Chicken Ramen
with extra egg & extra prok chasiu

Pada kunjungan kedua saya ada beli paket promo Rp99.000,- untuk Marutama Signature Ramen, ocha dingin, dan 1 jenis dessert. Kali ini saya pesan yang pakai ayam, Mau ayam atau babi, chasiunya wajib banget dicoba dan ngga ada salahnya pesan lagi ekstra chasiu. Chasiu ayam mungkin ngga senendang yang babi. Tapi rasanya tetap gurih dengan tekstur yang empuk lembut dan gampang melebur waktu masuk mulut.

Original Shirunashi Ramen

Kalau sedang bosan dengan ramen kuah atau lebih suka ramen ala bakmi biasa, Shirunasi Ramen bisa jadi pilihan yang oke. Karena ngga direndam di kuah, saya lebih bisa fokus menikmati rasa dan tekstur ramennya. Karena rasa saus atau bumbu  pada menu ini lumayan kuat, Shirunasi Ramen dihidangkan dengan kuah tori paitan yang lebih ringan sebagai pendamping.

Curry Rice

Curry Rice di Marutama juga enak banget. ^^ Meskipun adik saya komplen kalau nasinya bukan nasi Jepang, tapi buat saya masih oke dan pulen. Tekstur bumbu karinya agak kental dan rasanya nagih di lidah, bikin pingin makan terus dan terus. Wortel dan daging di dalamnya juga empuk gurih dengan bumbu yang meresap. Curry Rice dihidangkan dengan pendamping mini salad. Saus pada saladnya saya kurang yakin saus apa. Mungkin saus goma karena gurih manis, tapi ada rasa asamnya juga.

Shirunashi Curry Ramen

Bagi yang doyan Japanese Curry tapi pinginnya makan mie, maka pesan Shirunashi Curry Ramen udah ngga salah lagi. Gurihnya bumbu kari yang kental dan potongan daging yang empuk sungguh berpadu indah dengan tekstur mie ramen di Marutama. Meski ramen kuah masih terasa lebih klasik buat saya, tapi saya lebih suka curry ramen nya daripada yang Shirunasi Ramen biasa. Tapi memang belum tentu semua orang bisa suka dengan rasa dan tekstur bumbu kari.

Chicken Teriyaki Don

Lalu misalnya sedang ngga mood makan mie atau curry tapi kebetulan diajak ke Marutama (orangtua saya misalnya) masih ada Chasiu Don dan Teriyaki Don yang bisa pilih mau pakai daging babi atau ayam. Karena ayah saya tidak begitu suka mie model ramen maupun babi, maka beliau pesennya Chicken Teriyaki Don. Porsinya agak kecil dibanding menu lainnya, tapi daging ayamnya enak dan empuk. Nikmat banget dimasak dengan saus Teriyaki. ^^ Tapi bubuk cabe di atasnya sedikit menyebalkan.

Chawan Mushi

Chawan mushi nya reccomended buat dicoba. Rasanya sedikit lebih asin dari standard restoran lain tapi enak dan gurih banget. Teksturnya lembuuuuttt dgn potongan daging ayam dan jamur shimeji yang empuk nikmat.

Daikon

Daikon juga enak. Potongannya besar. Sepertinya dimasak ala oden tapi disajikan dengan kuah tori paitan yang lebih ringan. Meski teksturnya solid, tapi empuk dan gampang pecah waktu masuk mulut.

Yaki Chasiu

Yaki Chasiu nya juga enak dan harum banget. Teksturnya lebih garing dan kering. Tapi saya pribadi jauh lebih suka chasiu biasa yang empuk lembut. :3

Dashimaki Tamago

Dashimaki Tamago tapi termasuk menu yang rada bikin saya kecewa. Rasanya kurang lebih telur dadar biasa yang digulung dan malah agak hambar. Saya ngarepin tekstur yang lebih mulus dan lembut dan rasa yang lebih klasik telur Jepang sih, apalagi harganya nga bisa dibilang worthed kalau dapatnya ya kurang lebih telur dadar.

Tori Dango

Begitu pula dengan Tori Dango. Menu ini kurang lebih bakso ayam dengan campuran keju dan mungkin ada campuran daikonnya juga. Buat saya biasa saja. Tapi mungkin agak subjektif karena saya sendiri bukan penggemar bakso dan Tori Dango ini mengandung sedikit cabai kecil-kecil.

Matcha Creme Brulee

Untuk dessert, yang saya coba adalah Matcha Creme Brulee. Rasa creamy green tea nya enak dan nendang, dan gula diatasnya juga menyenangkan ketika masuk lidah. Tapi tekstur krimnya terlalu pekat dan agak berat untuk selera saya. Lalu entah kenapa ngga ada strawberry nya kayak yang di foto. :p

Untuk pelayanannya rasanya bisa ditingkatkan lagi kesigapannya. Overall oke, tapi kadang saya merasa sedikit kurang sigap atau cekatan. Makanan juga agak lama keluar, tapi masih saya maklumi kalau sedang ramai banget.





Marutama Ramen
021 5724050
Sentral Senayan 1, Lantai Basement, Jl. Asia Afrika No. 8, Senayan, Jakarta

Cherry Blossom Journey, my Hanami Spots in Tokyo

To be able to see cherry blossoms in their full bloom was my long-life dream. It might be silly for some people, it's just a tree full of pink flowers. But somehow I really really wish to see it, even now after I already saw them last April. I still hope I could be able to see them again next time. I never got bored watching them. Perhaps because I knew that they wont last long, so I want to cherish them as much as I can.

I also respect how Japanese people always appreciate the beauty of changing seasons around them. Perhaps Korean and Chinese people also have the same characteristic? They have the luxury to be able to enjoy this scenery each year. But even so they still looked amazingly happy each time they saw bloomed cherry blossoms.

Since I spent my first day and the last three days in Tokyo, I visited some places around this city for hanami. I wish I could share my experience and what I think of them since each place somehow gave me different vibes. Several of them was visited at the early bloom time and the rest when they're already started to fall and get leafy. I enjoy the full bloomed one in a different cities but that will be for another post.

Shinjuku Gyoen

This might be the most famous place for foreigner to do their hanami when visiting Japan. Shinjuku Gyoen often listed as the number one (or at least as the big 3) spot for Cherry Blossom Viewing. There are entrance fee around 200yen if I'm not mistaken. Security checks were presents to make sure visitors weren't bring sharp object and alcohol in this garden. So it's pretty safe and perhaps comfortable for family activities.

It was drizzling when we arrived at Shinjuku Gyoen. The sky was gloomy. And since it's our first day in Japan, the cold bellow 10 degrees weather was hit me pretty hard. The cherry blossoms were still in an early blooming stage at that time. But they do have several variants of cherry trees and the bloomed flowers were beautiful.

I do feel that this place somehow has a formal-kind of aura. The garden is really spacious with 3 kinds of garden. I don't think I had walked all over the whole park. But I do remember I walked around some ponds and open grassy field. I also took a glimpse of the Japanese Garden and visited the green house.

The Green house contains lots of tropical plants and I felt weird that we went so far to Japan and still saw orchids, palms, and banana trees there. It's an ordinary sight for us, but I guess tropical plants are unique and interesting for Japanese people just as Cherry Blossom and Maple trees are unusual for us.

There were also canteen-like area for people to buy snacks or hanami bento. While I love cherry blossom flowers, I don't particularly like to eat sakura-themed food. Sakura mochi and dango are nice, but the one with cherry paste or jam is a bit weird for my taste.


Ueno Park

We went to Ueno Park after Shinjuku Gyoen so it's still drizzling and cold. But the atmosphere were really different in Ueno Park. Lots of sakura trees just started to bloom and bellow them were people gathering with their friends or colleagues while eating and drinking sake. It felt so cheerful and lively even though the weather wasn't that nice. Maybe because it was Saturday. Lots of food stalls were also available with wide variety of food and snacks.

There is no admission in this park, so you can enjoy around 1000 of cherry blossom trees in this park for free. Some people might not like it since it's pretty noisy and there were several drunk people. But I do feel that it was the charm of this park. And if you wish to experience how Japanese people enjoy their spring festival then you should try to visit this park at the cherry blossom season.

Inokashira Park

We visited Inokashira Park on my last day in Japan and walked to the park from Kichijoji Station. It was pretty warm and the weather was great. It's a public city park and the admission is free. At first I only found green trees and I thought the cherry blossom might already turned to green leaves. It did feel like a start of summer scenery. But after I walked around I finally found the place with cherry blossom trees surrounding the lake. It was a really beautiful sight with their petals floating in the air every time the wind blows.

Inokashira Park is perfect for leisure walking with family, jogging, or dating spots. You can rent a boat to enjoy the scenery from the lake. We didn't do that since it's seems a bit troublesome, but the ducks in this lake seems more approachable if you use the swan pedal boat.

The reason I went to Inokashira Park is because initially I planed to go to Ghibli Museum (which in the end I didn't get the ticket for it) and I want to feed ducks in this park. I even searched and got some info that ducks shouldn't be feed with bread and rice is better for them, so I bought some onigiris for the ducks and birds, but my brother refused and always reminded me with the "Do Not Feed the Duck" warning signs that is all over the place. ;_;


Nakameguro River

This is my most favorite place for cherry blossoms viewing in Tokyo. The pink flowered trees were planted all along this river, makes a wonderful scenery and lovely path for walking. I even visited Nakameguro twice, when they're still early bloomed and when they're started to fall. It's really enjoyable to stroll around the river in the morning, and the second time I went to Nakameguro, the weather was awesome with a clear blue sky. A perfect background for the pink flowers and their fresh green leaves. The petals were falling down beautifully, to the road, and the river.

I already fell in love with this place ever since I saw a photograph from my friend who visited this place when the cherry blossoms were in full bloom. The scenery where it became a pale-pinkish river from the falling petals was captivated my heart. Too bad I didn't get a chance to see Nakameguro River when it was covered with cherry blossom petals, perhaps some other time.

I found a lot of people walking around with their dogs in Nakameguro. I really wish I could pet them but I wasn't sure how to ask the owner without creeping them out. But some are nice enough to let me took photographs of their pets. :3

There are also lots of cute shops and food establishment around this area. At cherry blossom seasons, some shops open food stalls around the riverside road. But we were always pretty early in this area and most of them wasn't opened yet. Maybe this area would be livelier in the afternoon.


Sumida River Park

It's a nice park as well as pedestrian on the side of Sumida River. I didn't actually planned to go to this area. I actually wanted to go to Senso-ji from Asakusa monorail station, but somehow chose this path and found cherry blossom trees were still bloomed beautifully in this area. The other side of the river seems to also have a park with lots of cherry blossoms along the river. The sight of Tokyo Sky Tree become the highlight and makes an amazing view around this place.

We took quite long walk that we're a bit lost with our way to Senso-ji. But thank goodness we managed to arrived at the back side of the famous temple in Asakusa. xd;


Yanaka Cemetery

We found this area when we actually wanted to go to Yanaka Ginza shopping district. But the sight of cherry blossom trees distract me from the main path and we found large area of Japanese cemetery. It's located in the back of Nippori Station. The left and right side of the road in this cemetery complex are decorated with Cherry Blossom Trees. The sun was almost set when we were there and the twilight sky gave a deeper pink shade to the flowers in this place.

People might be uncomfortable to have cemetery complex as hanami spot, but for me it was really beautiful and I was grateful to strayed a bit to found the sakura-dori road. I kind of wish to have a tombstone in this cemetery after I die, but it must be very difficult and expensive. ^^;


Asukayama Park

I went there at the first day when the weather was cold and rainy. Asukayama Park was located a bit north from the central Tokyo even though it's not that far. It's just a crossing road from JR Oji Station. It seems that they're located on the higher ground, so when I was there the cherry blossoms wasn't bloomed yet.

I actually went there for the night illumination in the park. It's a shame we went there not at the right timing. But some other flowers already blossomed beautifully as if they want to cheer us or other people who also came too early. Some were also doing their hanami when we were there.

The landscape of this park is beautiful and it's really a nice place for leisure walking. I saw bunch of children playing around even though the sky was already pretty dark. We can access the park using a diagonal cable car, it's really fun. The park admission and the cable car are free.

I believe there are lots of other awesome places and great spots for Cherry Blossoms viewing around Tokyo. For me, it's always felt awesome when I found something I didn't planned or expect. Like if I follow my curiosity and choose an unusual route and then found a beautiful place, somehow it fills my heart with happiness.

All of these (and actually most of my blog posts) perhaps too personal and subjective. But I hope they could be a helpful reference for people who wish to know about some hanami spots around Tokyo. :)

Next will be, Yokohama ~

Note. I wrote this blogpost in English so I can also practice for the upcoming IELTS test. I hope I wasn't making too many mistake. ^^; Correction are welcomed~

Cheese in Baum at LonCafe

Cheese in Baum...? Nani ka kore...?

Meskipun di Jakarta sedang demam kue keju, belum ada yang saya lihat mengkombinasikan cheesetart dengan baumkuchen. Baumkuchen sendiri seperti kue lapis bulat. Meskipun dijual di beberapa tempat di Jakarta, tapi memang keberadaannya tidak sampai menjadi trend tersendiri. Sontak ketika melewati Lon Cafe di area Nakameguro (dekat sungai dan stasiun Nakameguro) kami pun langsung penasaran ingin mencicipi seperti apa rasanya makanan bernama Cheese in Baum ini.

Lon Cafe Nakameguro

Per kue harganya 300yen belum termasuk pajak. Karena beli sebagai take away, kuenya agak dingin. Meski demikian rasa kejunya sungguh nendang dan enak, ada aroma lemon pada keju di tengahnya. Tekstur keju di tengahnya lebih creamy dan tidak terlalu lumer seperti cheese tart biasanya. Tapi tetap lembut dan pas di lidah. Perpaduannya dengan pinggiran dari baumkuchen juga unik karena teksturnya lebih empuk dan cakey tapi tidak gampang pecah berantakan. I really loved it when I bite it then munched it in my mouth. :3

Oh my lovely Cheese in Baum ~

Ngga nyesel banget saya nyobain Cheese Baum ini, dan selama berada di Jepang saya cuma ketemu di Lon Cafe saja. Tapi bisa jadi ada dijual di tempat lain. Mungkin kapan-kapan bakal ada yang masukin atau bikin Cheese in Baum di Jakarta juga. :d

Holiday Dinner at Imperial Shanghai - Plaza Indonesia

Suatu Sabtu menjelang malam takbiran, tidak seperti biasanya, Ibu saya libur di rumah meninggalkan kesibukannya di Pasar Mayestik yang biasanya tetap buka setidaknya enam setengah hari dalam seminggu. Karena Lebaran, pasar wajib tutup. Beliau pun tiba-tiba kangen pengen jalan-jalan ke Plaza Indonesia yang kalau orang dulu nyebutnya 'Sogo'. Saya sendiri sudah lama sekali tidak ke Plaza Indonesia, entah sudah berapa tahun. Dan Plaza Indonesia sudah tidak bisa dibilang Sogo lagi karena Sogo nya sudah tutup. ^^;

Untuk orangtua saya, makanan Jepang cukup sehat, tapi tidak terlalu memuaskan lidah mereka. Makanan Korea terlalu risky karena saya tidak tahu mereka bakal doyan atau tidak. Makanan barat terlalu 'biasa', dan yang ngga biasa terlalu mahal. Kalau pizza, pokoknya Pizza Hut aja deh, selain itu masih kurang sreg di lidah mereka. Mengingat orang tua saya sudah banyak pantangan dan lidahnya susah banget dibikin senang, jenis makanan yang paling aman buat lidah maupun kesehatan mereka adalah Chinese Food yang kadar mecinnya masih lumayan serta banyak variasi menu sayur, daging ayam, dan ikan.

Imperial Shanghai

Saya pun mengecek Zomato, dan Chinese Food yang variasi menunya menarik, rating oke, dan budget ngga terlalu mencekik adalah Imperial Shanghai Lamian Xiaolongbao. Dan di sini ada beberapa menu kembang tahu yang bikin saya penasaran. Saya selalu makan kembang tahu di rumah sebagai soup yang dimasak dengan soun, wortel, dan kaldu ayam. Setiap teringat kembang tahu, saya penasaran seperti apa kembang tahu kalau digoreng atau dimasak dengan cara lain. Menu lainnya, terutama appetizer nya banyak yang menarik dan jarang saya temukan di restoran Chinese food lainnya.

Kondisi restorannya cukup ramai, tapi untungnya tidak sampai ngantri dan kita bisa langsung masuk. Hal yang pertama kali saya notice setelah duduk adalah set perabot makanan mereka. Desainnya sungguh manis dan menarik. Menyenangkan untuk dilihat sementara kami menunggu makanan keluar. Meski ramai, pelayanannya juga cukup sigap. Timing makanan keluarnya cukup cepat sehingga kami tidak terlalu lama bosan menunggu. Imperial Shanghai ini juga termasuk Chinese Food Halal, saya tidak bisa ketemu babi di sini.

Tahu Goreng Lada Garam

Tahu goreng lada garam. This is surprisingly good.... Bumbu luarnya agak keasinan, tapi teksturnya asik banget. Tahu nya lembut tapi masih solid, dipotong kotak-kotak rapih dan digoreng tepung. Waktu masuk mulut rasanya mild dan ringan krenyes. This would be an awesome and pretty healthy food for snacking.

Daging Ayam Mabuk

Daging ayam mabuk juga menu yang termasuk menarik, bau dan rasa araknya berasa banget. Tulang-tulangnya tapi masih agak sedikit mengganggu. Rasanya enak dan unik, tapi saya masih lebih suka ayam rebus atau panggang yang lebih klasik. Porsinya lebih untuk 2-3 orang.

Lamian with chicken & wonton soup

Ibu saya yang memesan Lamian dengan mie lebar ini. Saya sendiri lebih suka mie kecil tipis, tapi tekstur mie lebarnya juga cukup menarik. Padat, firm, dan cukup kenyal. Sup nya menggunakan kaldu ayam yang gurih dan lumayan pekat dengan beberapa pangsit. Pretty good, but not my favorite.

Lumpia Kulit Tahu Goreng Garing

Akhirnya muncul juga kulit kembang tahu goreng yang saya nanti-nanti. Ayah saya sedikit kecewa karena tampilannya tidak se mewah di foto menu dan tidak sebesar atau setebal lumpia beneran. ^^;

Teksturnya juga tidak garing keras, lumayan crispy tapi cenderung empuk waktu digigit. Di dalamnya berisi jamur. Saya sendiri suka banget dengan menu ini, dan akhirnya kesampean juga nyobain kulit kembang tahu yang digoreng. xD

Kau Fu

Varian masakan kembang tahu lain yang kami pesan adalah Kau Fu. Kembang tahunya disusun/dipotong jadi piece tebal lalu dimasak dengan jamur kuping, edamame, dan saus manis. Tadinya saya agak cemas ini bakal pedas, tapi mungkin di dapur sedang kehabisan paprika? Soalnya kalau di foto ada merah-merahnya. Tapi saya sih senang banget menu ini ternyata tidak pedas. ^^

Manis sausnya enak tapi rasanya kurang ada rasa gurih yang mengimbangi. Saya suka banget dengan tekstur kembang tahu pada masakan ini. Empuk dengan saus tumisan yang meresap ke dalam dan 'nyus' waktu digigit.

Xiao Long Bao ayam kepiting

Saya masih lebih suka variannya Paradise Dinasty, tapi Xiao Long Pao ayam kepiting di Imperial Lamien enak banget. Kulitnya mulus dan firm, ngga mudah robek waktu diangkat. Gurih kaldu dan daging di dalamnya juga mantap. Makin sempurna ditambah dengan irisan jahe. Seandainya kuah di dalamnya sedikit lebih banyak, pasti lebih asik.

Untuk minuman kami memesan Chinese Chrysanthemum Tea. Harum bunga krisannya sungguh menyenangkan di hidung dan kualitas teh nya juga cukup baik. Ayah saya sebenarnya lebih suka teh pahit, tapi set piring mangkuknya yang manis dengan ornamen bunga bikin saya ingin pesan teh krisan. :3

Seandainya Imperial Shanghai ada di mall-mall yang lebih sering saya kunjungi, mungkin saya bakal sering-sering makan di sini. Ada banyak menu lain yang penasaran ingin saya cobain. ^^