Featured Dining
Best Dishes from the Peranakan Family Kitchen
It’s hard to imagine what the world would be like without Chinese food. by Dina Indrasafitri / February 23, 2007
All over the world, you can find Chinese restaurants almost everywhere, since the Chinese are one of the most mobile people with one of the liveliest and most delicious culture of all. The spread of Chinese culture throughout the globe had produced many interesting amalgamations, and this includes its blending with Indonesian culture –Javanese, particularly- during colonial and pre-colonial times. This culture, often dubbed as ‘Cina Peranakan’ is a rich and colorful one, which is what the Meradelima restaurant wishes to preserve through its existence.
In harmony with its name, ‘Meradelima’, which means Pomegranate Red - representing joy and fertility - The restaurant’s décor is dominated by lively red gradations alternated with bold black hues. Complementing the vibe are beautiful Javanese and Chinese ornaments along with calming, sparse lighting. Several outdoor tables and an even more elegant dining area on the second floor add more choices to your dining surroundings. Overall, the result is a nice nostalgic air that allows you to wade and explore it all, without necessarily drowning you in it.
Most of the recipes are authentic from the proud owner’s family kitchen. Fresh ingredients and healthy cooking methods assure that only the best results will come out of the wok.
Meradelima has many popular items that had become its visitor’s favourites, such as the Nasi Lemak – a complete menu set of rice, meat and vegetables, or Ayam Kemangi- Fragrant fried chicken flavored with sweet basil. However, recently it enjoyed several additions to its menu. Name the Mie Goreng Baba Celup, for instance. This one-plate meal is made up of crispy, dry-fried noodles with thick, clear stir fry dressing containing fresh vegetables, chicken and sea food items. The crunchy noodles contrasted wonderfully with the mellow sauce, making it a very addictive meal. Another winning course is the Ayam Lidah Mertua: a version of Kung Pao chicken perked up with dried chili. In contrast to most stir fried meals, the Ayam Lidah Mertua will not choke you with oil and grease. For those who are devotees of the calamari cuisine, then the Cumi Gg Orpha is a must try. The fried, flour coated calamaris are given a fresh, playful dressing made with chili, green onions and garlic. A very welcomed take on the usual fried calamari!
One item is a bit risky yet guaranteed to be an instant hit: the Pangsit Pedas Kawin Lari, which is steamed dumplings seasoned with fresh, tingling chopped chili. Although it may be a little too spicy for some, but once you conquered the fire, it’s hard not to order more and more of this delicious treat.
Meradelima is chic-nostalgic. Chic enough to lunch or dine in after shopping or a movie, and nostalgic enough to give you a lesson or two about the Peranakan culture. It would certainly be one tasty lesson to look forward to. (SG/DI) Meradelima
Jl. Metro Duta Pondok Indah Plaza I Blok UA Kav. 7-8
Jakarta Selatan
Indonesia
Tel: (62-21) 7590 9273
Cuisine:
Indonesian
meradelima gw br cobain yang di pondok indah, tempatnya biasa aja tapi makanannya enak, gw pesen bakmi goreng, gurame 5 rasa, en ayam mertua, semuanya enak, bakminya tastenya sedikit sweet en gurih, ayam panggangnya pake bumbu kacang seperti ayam bumbu rujak, tapi yang paling top mah ikan guramenya bo, dia kasi saos lima rasanya kaya sambel manis gt enak buangettt, recommended for lunch