well actually bengawan solo isnt an entirely brand new spot in jakarta’s culinary map. all this while its known as a restaurant that lies under the five stars hotel grand sahid jaya since early 90s. it was one of the top spots for expatriates to dine in as well because at that time the traditional concept that they brought was immensely tied to indonesian culture, making it a stand out joint for authentic dining. until recently bengawan solo rejuvenated its identity into a tad more humble and casual restaurant for everyone.
as i stepped in i got greeted by punakawan, or indonesian wayang characters that are comprised of semar, gareng, bagong, and petruk. bengawan solo chose them as the special mascots that embody the heritage of javanese culture, while also delivering a witty impression. these iconic wayang characters are further depicted through several aspects of the restaurant, such as contemporary style wayang paintings on each wall corner up to unique dining plates with their faces embossed in the middle.
the minimalist white color that dominates the entirety of bengawan solo gives such a soothing and calm vibe. it doesnt pull an overly complex interior, making it feel simply spacious and comfortable. despite of the modern touch, of course bengawan solo still maintains its main signature that lies in classic traditional cuisines.
before diving into the main dining session, you will be served with bengawan solo’s welcome snack in a form of cassava chips or sweet potato chips that are placed in a ‘becak’ figurine. its quite interesting because they serve different types of flavor every single day, starting from spicy, savory, to sweet. still in the range of appetizers, they also got sosis solo presented on a wooden cutting board and accompanied by a tiny spray bottle which reminds me of a perfume bottle, but apparently it is filled with chilli oil! so instead of dipping, this time you can easily spray the sour and spicy sauce all over it. such an interesting idea, isnt it?
bengawan solo’s consistency in highlighting the tradition of local culinary is also shown through one of our all-time favorites, gado-gado. instead of serving it fancily like in common five stars hotels restaurant, a waitress dressed up in kebaya will come over to the guest's table with a big plate of vegetables in hand and a bowl of peanut sauce on the other. after that she will mix up those two elements on the table, just like the common sight we always encounter while ordering street style gado-gado. nice! the other recommended menu that i got to try was nasi goreng bengawan solo. it is topped with three kinds of satay (lamb, meat, chicken) and ebi furai. The reason why this one’s a favorite is the classic taste of indonesian fried rice that feels so familiar on our palette.
all in all, bengawan solo is a decent pick to enjoy the excellent flavors of our local culinary, topped with interesting surprises without neglecting the essence of its own traditions.
(photos: doc. bengawan solo)
Bengawan Solo Restaurant
Lobby Level, Grand Sahid Jaya Hotel
Jl Jendral Sudirman Kav.86
Ph: 021 5704444 extension 1438
Opening Hours: 11.00 — 23.00
Average spending: Rp 150.000,00 — Rp 300.000,00 for each person
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