Pondok Rasa is 2 Indonesian words put together meaning humble cottage of flavours. The 4 month's old restaurant located at
Marrison Hotel along Beach Road prides itself in offering authentic
Medan food, with traditional home style recipes handed down over generations and exotic local spices imported directly from Medan (North East coast North Sumatra, Indonesia).
Nasi Tim Ayam (Stewed Chicken Rice) 4/5
At a glance, the
Nasi Tim Ayam looks like the Taiwanese Braised Pork Rice. The fragrant rice is topped with a stewed mix of chicken, button mushroom, black fungus, shitake mushroom. If you are a fan for Taiwanese Braised Pork Rice, you will love the Nasi Tim Ayam at Pondok Rasa.
Grilled Chicken Set 4.2/5
The sumptuous
Grilled Chicken Set comes with a huge grilled chicken drumstick accompied with Tofu, Tempeh and Vegetables sides. The grilled chicken although a bit charred on the skin tasted fabulous with the tender and moist chicken meat. The freshly made
Sambal Balacan provided that extra kick to excite your taste buds. A must try dish.
Kari/Curry Chicken with Rice 3.5/5
Living in a diverse Singapore society, I have tried many different varieties of curry.
The Kari/Curry Chicken at Pondok Rasa is rather different in my own option. Maybe I am more used to the thick, heavy and creamy types of curry gravy that is commonly found in Singapore, I find the curry here kind of bland and watery.
Soto Medan (Prawn) with Rice 3.5/5
The
Soto Medan came with a beautiful greenish gravy with fresh prawns swimming inside. Like the Kari/Curry Chicken's gravy, I prefer something more thick, heavy and creamy.
Pecel (Vegetables in Peanut Sauce) 3.5/5
This is another uniquely Indonesian dish.
Pecel which is vegetables in peanut sauce. The vegetables were long beans, bean sprouts, tapioca leaves, cucumbers and round cabbages. In addition, tofu, tempeh, emping and prawn crackers were added. I have mentioned in previous posts that I don't fancy this dish as I personally find the combination weird.
Indonesia Fried Rice 4.2/5
The simple and plain looking
Indonesia Fried Rice is defintely the surprise of the day. The fragrant fried rice was very flavourful. Definitely something I will go back for.
Mi Sop Ayam (Chicken Noodle Soup) 3.8/5
The
Mi Sop Ayam has a light and refreshing soup that is served with a mix of yellow noodle and vermicelli. Shredded chicken, carrort, spring onion, fried shallot completed the dish. For customers that like it to be spicy, they can add their signature dark coloured freshly made chilli into the soup. The restaurant does sell the chilli in bottled form but you need to pre-order a day in advance as they are freshly made to order.
Es Cendol (Ice Chendol) 3/5
The lack of sweetness for such a traditional dessert was the disappointment for the
Es Cendol (Ice Chendol). Presentation has lot of rooms for improvement too. It will look more appertizing if it was served in crushed ice form instead of having a few ice cubes swimming in the bowl.
Sekoteng 3.8/5
The
Sekoteng at Pondok Rasa reminds me of the Chinese dessert Cheng Teng. It was sweet and refreshing with ingredients like corn kernel, dried orange skin and slasih. Likewise, presentation can be improved if it was served with crushed ice.
Pisang Bumbu (Banana Fritter & Peanut Sauce) 4/5
The
Pisang Bumbu is the owner's favourite childhood food and the Chef has recreated the dish with a little twist. The Banana Fritter is served in a peanut sauce which is the exactly the way the owner likes to eat it in his childhood days. Is this a dessert dish with the sweetness from the banana and savoury from the peanut sauce? Nevertheless, the fish and chips looks alike banana fritter without the peanut sauce is already a winner.
Cold and Hot Kolak Pisang 4.2/5
I find the
Kolak Pisang similar to our local dessert Bo Bo Cha Cha. It has the same ingredients such as sweet cocont soup, tapioca and sweet potato. In addition, it can be served either cold or hot. The different is corn kernel and banana are added to the Kolak Pisang.
Pondok Rasa
Marrision Hotel
103 Beach Road
#01-02
Singapore S189704
Website:
http://www.pondokrasa.sg
Nearest MRT: Bugis (EW Line, DT Line)
Opening Hours:
Mon-Fri: 11am - 230pm, 530pm - 9pm
Sat: 11am - 9pm
(Closed on Sun)
Direction:
Alight at Bugis MRT station: Take Exit C. At Bugis Junction Shopping Mall, crossed North Bridge Road. Walk to Tan Quee Lan Street. Walk down to the end of Tan Quee Lan Street towards Marrison Hotel. Journey time about 5 minutes.
