12 Indonesian restaurants for fiery sambals and hearty feasts

1. Fangko+ Coffee and Beer

20 Hongkong Street, 01-03
Open: Monday, Saturday and Sunday (7am to 5pm), Tuesday to Friday (7am to 7pm)

Why visit? Fangko+, which first opened its doors September 2019 at Robinson Road, is a no-frills casual Indonesian eatery selling value-for-money fare. Thankfully for us Indonesian cuisine lovers, it managed to tide through the Covid-19 pandemic and moved to its current Hongkong Street location today.

Its claim to fame is its Smash Chimken (S$12.50), served with your preferred level of spiciness — from a gentle level one to a fiery level 21. It also comes with an option of carbs: Indomie instant noodles or blue pea rice.

Crowd favourites: Apart from the Smash Chimken, another crowd favourite is Fangko’s tahu isi (fried stuffed tofu, S$7). These plump, vegetable-stuffed tofu cubes accompany any main nicely.

If you want a lighter bite, Fangko+ also serves a variety of pastries such as almond croissants (S$6) and homemade banana bread (S$5). To quench your thirst, the avocado coffee (S$10.80) comes highly recommended.

Here’s our take on Fangko+ Coffee and Beer at Hongkong Street.

2. Paris Van Java

Lucky Plaza, 01-45, 304 Orchard Road
Open: Monday to Sunday (11am to 9pm)

Why visit? While Paris Van Java’s name conjure up images of European fare, it’s actually the nickname for Bandung, Indonesia, where the owner is from. For those who have never been to Bandung, it earnt this nickname as the Dutch had built numerous European-style buildings during their colonisation of the country then. 

Paris Van Java’s owner wanted to share her family’s recipes with others and decided to open a physical store at Lucky Plaza to do so. These recipes, which include grandmother’s rendang recipe, have been passed down through generations.

The time-honoured rendang Nenek’s (S$11) is made with over 15 herbs and spices and stewed for over three hours.

Crowd favourites: You must try the ayam goreng mamah + nasi (galangal fried chicken and rice, S$10.90), especially if you enjoy a hearty, juicy serving of fried chicken. 

The batagor (traditional Javanese salad with peanut sauce, S$6.90) is an ideal sharing plate. This isn’t your usual boring salad — this recipe is incredibly savoury and satisfyingly crunchy.

3. IndoChili

54 Zion Road
Open: Monday to Friday (11.30am to 3pm, 5pm to 9pm), Saturday and Sunday (11.30am to 9.30pm)

Why visit? This well-loved halal establishment has served thousands of diners authentic Indonesian fare since late 2012. A household name, IndoChili has won numerous food accolades as it champions the rich culinary heritage of Indonesian fare.

It prides itself on preparing all its marinades and pastes from scratch sans the use of MSG. The concept also offers a vegetarian-friendly menu, which isn’t as commonplace here for Indonesian fare, and bento catering options for corporate events.

Crowd favourites: With such an extensive menu, choosing just a few dishes on your first visit can be challenging. We recommend starting with sop buntut (oxtail soup, S$23.80), a classic, comforting dish that will complement your meal any time of the day.

If you’re looking to share, the combo bakaran (S$75.80) will tick all the boxes. It features a platter of signature grilled proteins such as squid and black pomfret, making for a delicious option for the table. 

Don’t forget to make room for a sweet treat with the es delima (S$8.50), a delicious red ruby dessert with coconut and jackfruit slices served with coconut milk and ice.

4. Embassy 1967

Wisma Atria, 03-32/33/34, 435 Orchard Road
Open: Monday to Sunday (10am to 10pm)

Why visit? Established to pay homage to the original site where the first Indonesian embassy in Singapore operated in 1967, Embassy 1967 is a new-ish (it opened in 2023) Indonesian restaurant in Singapore which serves up traditional flavours while incorporating contemporary twists.

The restaurant space is expansive — spanning three units — and is ideal for casual catch-ups and family gatherings.

Crowd favourites: Start the meal with a soothing bowl of soto betawi (S$30) to whet your appetite. Expect succulent wagyu beef chunks simmered in a flavourful broth made with coconut milk, galangal, lemongrass, and kaffir lime leaves.

Dishes here are best enjoyed communally, and the ayam Taliwang (marinated chicken topped with garlicky Taliwang sauce, S$20) and the seafood platter (S$120) will certainly satisfy. The platter comes with a grilled whole snapper, squid, and giant tiger prawns atop a charcoal warmer.

5. Samrang SG

743 North Bridge Road
Open: Monday to Thursday (12pm to 10pm), Friday and Saturday (11.30am to 11pm), Sunday (11.30am to 10pm)

Why visit? Samrang SG’s claim to fame is its iga bakar (beef ribs), which come in hefty portions of up to 2kg per serving. Samrang also specialises in dishes from Semarang in Indonesia, a lot of which are not commonly found in other Indonesian restaurants here, such as Samrang ikan bandeng (smoked milk fish, from S$13.90).

If you’re willing to push your appetite’s boundaries, the restaurant also holds an Indomie challenge every Friday, where individuals are challenged to finish a mega portion of Indomie — men are to finish it in 10 minutes, and ladies in 12 minutes. 

There’s also a duo challenge, which you can take on with a friend. This consists of a two-person Indomie serving (slightly smaller than the mega portion) — one is super spicy, while the other is regular spicy. No assistance or exchanging of portions is allowed, and both parties have to polish off their servings in only three minutes.

Crowd favourites: The bakso mercun (fiery beefball soup, S$10.90) is served with housemade sambal kicap (soy chilli) and served with either fried or steamed beefballs. There’s also A Cool Original (S$8.90), which are handmade tapioca dumplings served with a peanut sauce.

6. Bebek Goreng Pak Ndut

Multiple stores islandwide.
Open: Operating hours vary across stores

Why visit? Founded in 2015, Bebek Goreng Pak Ndut has been serving up fried succulent fried duck that’s marinated for 24 hours. Aside from dishing out delicious proteins, it is also one of the few halal-certified Indonesian restaurants in Singapore offering up to five types of sambals (with four levels of spiciness each), upon request.

There’s the run-of-the-mill chilli sambal, sambal ijo (green chilli sambal), sambal kicap (sweet soy chilli), sambal terasi (sambal belacan), and a Balinese-style sambal matah (raw sambal). We reckon trying a bit of everything will elevate your dining experience, no matter your dish of choice!

In addition to an array of friend dishes, it also serves classic fare such as sop buntut (oxtail soup, S$8.50) and soto daging betawi (beef soup, S$9.50).

Crowd favourites: Its signature bebek goreng utuh (whole fried duck, S$42) is perfect for sharing among four to five diners. 

Complement the meal with a side of tahu telor (fried egg and tofu, S$7.90) and a refreshing dessert of es teler (S$4.90), a cold Indonesian fruit cocktail made with coconut milk, fresh fruit, and shaved ice.

7. Bumbu Restaurant

44 Kandahar Street
Open: Tuesday to Sunday (11am to 3pm, 6pm to 10pm)

4 Queen’s Road, 02-101
Open: Tuesday to Sunday (11am to 3pm, 6pm to 10pm)

Why visit? Bumbu Restaurant first opened in 2001 along Kandahar Street, with its co-owners — a Peranakan and an Indo-Chinese — working with Thai chefs to create recipes that bring out the best of Thai, Indonesian, and Peranakan flavours.

The halal-certified menu is a curated selection of traditional dishes from these cultures such as ayam buah keluak (a Peranakan dish of chicken braised in a spicy tamarind gravy with black nuts), beef rendang (slow-cooked beef that’s braised in a coconut milk and spice mixture) and tahu telah (fried egg and tofu). All of these dishes honour the restaurant’s name “bumbu”, which means spice blend.

Crowd favourites: The homemade chicken ngoh hiang (Chinese minced meat roll, with vegetables and five-spice powder, S$13.90) is one of Bumbu’s signature starters, lovingly made from scratch, and peppered with  crunchy water chestnuts and prawns.

As a staple of Peranakan cuisine, the buah keluak chicken (S$16.90) is definitely a must-try here. You can even opt to add additional black nuts to the dish for S$2.50 per nut. If you’re looking to order seafood, the sotong masak hitam (squid stir-fried with squid ink and aromatics, S$16.90) is a dish you can’t go wrong with.

8. Three By Garamika

94 Lorong 4 Toa Payoh, 01-22
Open: Monday to Sunday (8am to 3pm, 5pm to 9pm)

Why visit? Three By Garamika is an unexpected, but welcome Indonesian food find, nestled in the buzzing neighbourhood of Toa Payoh. Run by three Indonesian-born sisters from Bogor (a city in west Java, Indonesia), Three by Garamika’s name is a fun combination of all three ladies’ names — Gabrielle, Rachel, and Mika Maswi.

Rachel, who runs the kitchen, had always wanted to set up a cafe since her primary school days and managed to convince her sisters to join her on this ride.

The cafe’s highlight is its oxtail cooked four ways — traditional (in a dark broth), in a rawon (a richer broth with more spices), deep-fried, and grilled.

Crowd favourites: As Three By Garamika’s signature is its oxtail, you can’t visit without trying fried Ox-tacy (S$17.50), a recipe created by Rachel herself. It consists of tender, juicy oxtail that’s coated in flour and deep-fried.

There’s also the best-selling gado-gado (S$10.50), an Indonesian salad served with steamed vegetables, and tossed in peanut sauce, that’s simple but deliciously divine.

9. Jakarta Ropang Project

Tripleone Somerset, 01-08, 111 Somerset Road
Open: Tuesday to Sunday (11am to 10pm)

Why visit? Somerset isn’t short on cafes and eateries, but Indonesian cafe Jakarta Ropang Project stands out with its warm, rustic decor that makes you feel like you are stepping into a friend’s home. 

The cafe, owned by 27-year-old Ian Soros Benedict, is the owner’s way of sharing the flavours of Indonesian gastronomy with diners. Its name, “ropang”, is an Indonesian slang for “never stop eating”, embodying the diverse dining culture of the country, and likely your experience there, too, once you dig into its fare.

Crowd favourites: Go for the always-dependable ayam bakar (S$12.90), featuring a sizeable charcoal-grilled chicken alongside tahu goreng (deep-fried tofu) and tempeh (fermented soybeans) if you’re looking for a hearty meal. 

Alternatively, if a snack is all you’re after, the pempek Palembang (S$12.90) will satisfy. It’s a platter of three varieties of fish cakes: Lenjer (long fish cake), keriting (curly fish cake), and kulit (fish skin).

Read about our first impressions of the Jakarta Ropang Project.

10. Tambuah Mas

Paragon, B1-44, 290 Orchard Road
Open: Monday to Sunday (11am to 10pm)

Great World City, B1-110/111, 1 Kim Seng Promenade
Open: Monday to Sunday (11am to 10pm)

Why visit? Tambuah Mas has the honour of being one of Singapore’s oldest Indonesian restaurants, having been around since 1981. The restaurant’s name is actually a term used in Padang, Indonesia, for when diners wish to order more — “tambuah” means to add more, while “mas” refers to the server, but also happens to mean gold. 

And like gold are the dishes at Tambuah Mas — it serves up homestyle recipes from Padang, Sulawesi, and Java, over the past four decades, and continues to draw diners in with its aromatic, spiced dishes.

Crowd favourites: The tahu telur (S$15) here is a must-order. Enjoy beancurd that’s fried in egg batter and presented as a tower and drizzled with housemade spicy-sweet dark sauce.

As for seafood, the ikan nila santan (S$27) will work great for sharing, with deep-fried whole fish served with mildly spicy coconut gravy. Don’t miss out on es cendol (housemade green bean jelly in coconut milk and palm sugar, S$5.50) to make it an indulgent meal!

11. Cumi Bali

50 Tras Street
Open: Monday to Sunday (11.30am to 2.30pm, 6pm to 9.30pm)

Why visit? You probably would have heard of this age-old institution for Indonesian food in Singapore before — this family-run restaurant has been around since 1986. Prior to its current location, the Bib Gourmand-listed Cumi Bali was previously at Duxton Hill and Tanjong Pagar Road before shifting to its Tras Street address in 2021.

Its decor is unique in that it utilises plenty of bamboo, and its interior is fashioned much like an Indonesian pondok (a small house or hut) that houses roadside eateries in the country. Despite moving to the quieter Tras Street, Cumi Bali remains a hit with big groups who enjoy  meeting over Indonesian fare. 

Crowd favourites: You can’t visit Cumi Bali without tasting its signature cumi Bali (S$38), a piping hot serving of marinated grilled squid. 

The ayam sate Madura (S$20), a dish from the Indonesian island of Madura, is also a hit with regulars. It is essentially Javanese-style chicken satay slathered in a sweet, smoky marinade.

12. Kintamani Restaurant

Furama Riverfront, Level 3, 405 Havelock Road
Open: Monday to Sunday (12pm to 2.30pm, 6pm to 10.30pm)

Why visit? Popular as a venue for hosting weddings, halal-certified Kintamani Restaurant was established in 1985 and serves up a delectable array of Indonesian fare, with both a la carte and buffet options.

Its affordable buffet prices — starting from S$48 for weekday lunch — have also helped the brand draw in crowds over the years. One of the buffet highlights that we always make a beeline, is the peha kaki kambing or roasted lamb leg with the chef’s housemade sauces.

Crowd favourites: If the buffet looks to be too daunting, the a la carte menu offers just as appetising menu options. The mee bakso soup (S$13) is a savoury, comforting dish with vegetables, vermicelli, beef bone marrow broth, and beef meatballs.

Additionally, the Kintamani signature iga daging sapi bakar (S$38) will satisfy your carnivorous desires with grilled beef ribs served with housemade sauce. 

For a dessert that’s worth sharing, the jus buah alpokat (S$6) is a decadent option that’s made with freshly blended avocado with chocolate syrup.

For the latest on the food scene, check out 10 of our favourite matcha spots, and our latest round up of February’s newest openings. 

All restaurants, except for Cumi Bali, IndoChili, Jakarta Ropang Project, and Bumbu Restaurant are on the GrabFood delivery service and offer free delivery (up to S$3 off) with GrabUnlimited.

Enjoy up to 50% off when you dine with GrabFood Dine Out.

Alternatively, book a ride to these Indonesian restaurants in Singapore.