The use of spices in Indonesian cuisine is nothing new to us fellow Singaporeans. There are so many Indonesian restaurants here in Singapore. Indonesian cuisine lovers, this one is for you. Get ready to indulge in some of the best Indonesian dishes at Tok Tok Indonesian Restaurant.
Recently opened on May 29th, 2021, at Joo Chiat Road, the restaurant is home to some of Indonesian’s signature comfort foods. Apart from that, the restaurant is also family friendly, serving a wide range of family sized portions that can feed up to 5 hungry tummies.
Upon entering the restaurant, rest your eyes on the hues of green, yellow brown and beige painted on the walls, evoking the nature, greenery, and natural resources of Indonesia. The restaurant is also furnished with Terrazzo tables and sturdy woven rattan chairs, reminiscing Balinese crafts and furniture. It is a rather spacious restaurant, fit for about 48 pax.
Appetiser
Let’s go straight to the dishes offered at the restaurant. We started with their Fritter Platter ($14.80) which consists of two of each of the four most common snack foods in Indonesia: Tahu Isi (Stuffed Tofu), Bakwan Jagung (Corn Fritters), Bala Bala (Vegetables Fritters) and Lumpia Goreng (Vegetable Spring Roll). This platter is such a great option for vegetarians and veggie lovers.
The Tahu is perfectly fried and stuffed with vegetables such as beansprouts. It is extremely flavourful and has a strong vegetable flavour that gives it a good kick. Moving onto the Bakwan Jagung (Corn Fritter). This fritter is the perfect combination of sweet and salty, with a soft interior and crispy exterior.
The Bala Bala (Vegetable Fritters) was rather underwhelming due to it being a little too oily and mushy however the Lumpia Goreng (Vegetable Spring Roll) more than made up for it with its crispy exterior and flavourful mix of vegetables.
Mains
There is a wide range of mains to choose from, noodles, seafood, you name it. If you love Indonesian food, you should definitely try out these mains.
- Ketoprak
Ketoprak ($12.80) is a peanut salad made with rice cakes, beansprouts, fried tofu, vermicelli noodles, drenched in a flavourful peanut sauce. I have to say the peanut sauce is the star of the show. It is the perfect combination of sweet and savoury.
The tofu is perfectly fried, paired with fresh cucumber and beansprouts. The rice cakes are also firm and not crumbly which is a good thing. What I love about the dish is that the vermicelli noodles are not mushy, and it has a bite to it. The dish is also topped with kicap manis (sweet soy sauce) which helps elevate the overall flavour of the dish.
- Gulai Kambing
This next dish is known as Gulai Kambing ($13.80) comprising of mutton cubes cooked in a curry gravy. The gravy is simmered over two hours and stewed overnight.
A decent amount of meat was served and the gravy was light with a rich turmeric colour that won’t make you easily jelak. The portion is rather small, and would probably feed about 1 to 2 pax. If you are looking for a light meal, this is a great option.
- Ikan Goreng
As the name suggest, their Ikan Goreng ($33.80) simply means fried fish. It is a red snapper marinated with fresh turmeric, garlic, shallots, coriander, and ginger before being fried to perfection. What is great about this dish is that the fish is deboned before it was marinated. This then makes it easier to eat and family friendly.
The fish is also served with a side of homemade sambal belacan, which is fantastically good, coming from a person who enjoys spicy food. The fish meat is firm, and the flavour from the spices just took the dish up a notch.
- Ayam Bakar Betutu
Their Ayam Bakar Betutu ($29.80) is made with chicken rubbed with a traditional genap paste which comprises of 16 Balinese spices. It is then marinated for half an hour, letting the spices infused into the chicken for a unique flavour sensation.
It is then grilled, adding another layer of flavour to the chicken albeit being a little dry. The dish is also served with their homemade sambal belacan, which is perfect for spice lovers.
- Nasi Uduk
You can pair these delicious dishes with their Betawi- style Nasi Uduk ($2.80). What I enjoy most about the coconut rice is that it is fragrant, and each grain is not stuck together and mushy. You can also opt for their Indonesian turmeric rice of Nasi Kuning ($2.80) to be enjoyed with the dishes of your choice.
- Buntut Bakar Saus Kacang
I am not actually a fan of oxtail, but I have to say that this dish is actually very delicious. Buntut Bakar Saus Kacang ($16.80) or Grilled Oxtail topped with Peanut Sauce is a modern interpretation of Sup Buntun or Oxtail soup which is popular in Indonesia.
At Tok Tok Indonesian restaurant, their oxtail is extremely tender, and it comes off the bones very easily. The peanut sauce has the consistency of natural peanut butter, and it is very smooth and silky. I never thought oxtail and peanut sauce would go well but I was wrong because I would definitely order this again.
- Tumis Kangkung
Think of the usual Kangkong Belacan you get outside. Tumis Kangkung ($7.80) is Tok Tok Indonesian Restaurant’s version of it. The taste is rather different from the regular we get but nonetheless, it is still as good. The kangkung is super fresh and it is cooked with garlic, oyster sauce and fresh red chili.
You can definitely taste the fresh garlic used in the dish and I recommend you to pair all these dishes mentioned above with the Nasi Uduk (coconut rice) for a better balance as overall most dishes have a rather strong flavour profile if eaten on its own.
Desserts
My meal is never complete without desserts. Here at Tok Tok Indonesian Restaurant, their desserts are derived from some of Indonesian’s best comfort sweet treats. These desserts can easily be found along the streets in Indonesia, and they are some of the most loved desserts.
- Pisang Goreng (Banana Fritters) Coklat Keju
Pisang Goreng Coklat Keju ($5.80) is one of the most popular snack foods or desserts that can be found in Indonesia. Each serving of this dessert comes with two fritters and topped with a generous amount of chocolate rice and cheese. The toppings add another layer of flavour to the overall dessert although I would prefer them savoury than sweet. Nonetheless, if you are a fan of bananas, you will surely love this dessert.
- Roti Bakar (Toast) Coklat Keju
Another alternative to their Pisang Goreng is their Roti Bakar Coklat Keju ($8.80). Also topped with chocolate rice and shredded cheese, this dessert will have you ordering seconds. I would prefer having the Roti Bakar instead as you can taste the additional layer of flavour from the cheese and chocolate without the bananas overpowering the overall flavour profile.
The dessert is not overly sweet despite the generous amount of chocolate rice. What I love about the dessert is that it has a crispy crust which adds another level of taste to the dessert. Nobody wants a soggy toast. This has definitely got to be my personal favourite.
- Es Teler
If you are looking for a refreshing dessert after all those hearty dishes, you should definitely opt for their Es Teler ($5.80). It is made with sweetened condensed milk, ASEAN fruits like coconut and jackfruit, slices of smooth avocado and topped with shaved ice.
The coconut and jackfruit really bring out the ASEAN flavour of the dessert. This dessert is perfect to enjoy especially in Singapore’s hot weather as it is extremely refreshing and not overly sweet. I will definitely order this dessert again.
Mocktails
We tasted their three signature mocktails which are all unique in their own ways. Fun fact, they are named after some villages in Indonesia.
- Tebet
Named after a village in south Jakarta, Tebet ($7.80) is a unique mocktail made with lemongrass, tamarind paste, muddled lime, and mango juice. This tastes almost like ‘drinkable’ gummy bears and is such a unique combination of flavour.
Lemongrass is placed around the rim of the glass and as you drink the mocktail, you are able to inhale the beautiful aroma of fresh lemongrass. You also get a little bit of sourness from the tamarind paste and lime, and a little sweetness from the mango juice. It is like the ultimate sensory overload which provided us such a unique experience.
- Canggu
The name of this mocktail is derived from a village in Bali. Canggu ($7.80) is made with tropical fruits such as pineapple juice, muddled lime and bits of Maraschino cherries to give you a taste of the beachy vibes of Bali.
I love this mocktail. It is zesty and extremely refreshing. Though it is a little too sweet for me, the soda water helped boost my appetite and quenched my thirst especially after eating all the hearty dishes. The bits of Maraschino cherries add a beautiful element colour to the drink as well.
- Kemang
Also named after a village in south Jakarta, Kemang ($7.80) is made with green fruits such as calamansi and kiwi to bring about the lush greens of south Jakarta. The mocktail is very citrusy, almost like a lime soda.
Kiwi is muddled and added into the mocktail, giving you bits of kiwi to chew on. However, the calamansi taste overpowered the kiwi flavour and may be a little on the sweet side as well. Nonetheless, it is such a refreshing drink, just do not forget to stir the drink prior so that you will be able to get some of the kiwi bits at the bottom.
Final Thoughts
Overall, I think that the restaurant served us some of the best Indonesian dishes I could possibly think of. My favourite dish is probably the Ketoprak and the Roti Bakar. Both of these dishes is a must have if you were to dine at Tok Tok Indonesian Restaurant.
Tok Tok Indonesian Restaurant offers delivery services as well and you can order their dishes via Oddle. Also, do not forget to check them out on social media platforms such as Facebook and Instagram for more updates about their latest creations!
Savour in some of the best Indonesian dishes from Tok Tok Indonesian Restaurant and you will definitely come back for more!
Tok Tok Indonesian Restaurant: 467 Joo Chiat Road, Singapore 427678
Operating Hours:
- Monday – Friday: 11.00am – 3.00pm | 6.00pm – 10.00pm
- Saturday, Sunday and Public Holidays: 11.00am – 10.00pm
*Disclaimer: Must Share Good Things was invited to this food tasting. However, all opinions are expressly the writer’s own.
