With more than 40 outlets in Surabaya, Warung Leko has recently opened its branch in Singapore on Rochor Road. Serving a variety of penyet dishes, the restaurant is best known for its Iga Penyet, which features smashed beef ribs.
Iga and Otot Penyet 4.5/5
Almost the entire menu is dedicated to deep-fried dishes, yet it’s a pleasant surprise to find Fried Otot (fried tendon) as well. To experience both of its specialities, we ordered the Iga and Otot Penyet ($22.50), which combines smashed beef ribs with fried tendon. Each penyet is layered with a generous serving of sambal, and you can choose your preferred level of heat. The ribs are first boiled before being deep-fried, resulting in succulent meat that retains its irresistible deep-fried crispiness. The morsels of fried tendon were outstanding, skillfully cooked to retain their chewy texture while forming a contrasting exterior. They are as dangerous as crispy pork lard but with added collagen. The sambal itself felt like a side dish in its own right, bold enough to be savoured on its own.
Soft Beef Ribs Soup 5/5
Oxtail Soup 4.5/5
I would also recommend trying the soups. We had both the Soft Beef Ribs Soup ($15) and Oxtail Soup ($15). Depending on the season, the beef ribs are sourced from either Australia or New Zealand. The soups brought out the rich flavours and textures of the ribs and oxtail beautifully. Made by simmering the bones with a variety of spices and likely a generous amount of white pepper, the soups reminded me of solid bowls of Bak Kut Teh, with a subtle peppery hum in the background.
Golden Pomfret 4/5
I enjoyed the Golden Pomfret ($14) more than expected. Crispy without being greasy, even the fins, tail, and head were delightfully crunchy.
Telor Dadar 4.2/5
A crowd-pleasing snack is the Telor Dadar ($2), a simple spiced omelette meant to be dipped into the sambal. It’s a humble dish that beautifully highlights the essence of the sambal.
Stir-Fried Kangkong 4/5
Stir-Fried Broccoli 4/5
For vegetables, we tried the Stir-Fried Broccoli ($8) and Stir-Fried Kangkong ($8), both prepared in an Indo-Chinese style. Topped with fried garlic bits and eggs, the stir-fried broccoli surprisingly carried a flavour reminiscent of Hokkien Mee, in a very good way.
Its authenticity is evident not only in the food but also in the crowd. I witnessed a significant number of Indonesians dining there, with locals adding to the mix. On the day of my visit, I even bumped into a friend whose hometown is Surabaya! Warung Leko is definitely a welcome addition to Singapore’s F&B scene. More items will be added to the menu gradually as operations stabilise. So do keep a lookout for it.
Photos and words by Si An. A lady who is allured by travelling, loves the feel of freedom, the smell of the rain and the aroma of fine coffee and food.
Warung Leko
162 Rochor Road
Singapore 188437
Nearest MRT: Bugis (EW, DT Line)
Opening Hours:
Mon-Fri: 11am - 10pm
Sat-Sun & PH: 10am - 10pm
Direction:
1) Alight at Bugis MRT station. Take Exit A. Walk to traffic junction at Rochor Road and Victoria Street. Cross the road. Turn right onto Rochor Road. Walk down Rochor Road. Walk to destination. Journey time about 5 minutes. [Map]
