Bogor - I decided to have lunch at Dapur Solo, a well-known Indonesian restaurant chain, at Botani Square Mall. It turned out to be a satisfying culinary experience that combined comfort, tradition, and just the right amount of indulgence. It was just a walking distance from my hotel.
Botani Square Bogor – A Modern Mall in the Heart of the City
Botani Square is one of the most popular malls in Bogor, conveniently located along Jalan Pajajaran, not far from the iconic Bogor Botanical Gardens. As a modern shopping destination, it has become a gathering place for locals and tourists alike, offering a mix of fashion outlets, supermarkets, lifestyle stores, and a wide variety of restaurants. On weekends especially, the mall is bustling with families enjoying a day out, couples strolling from shop to shop, and students hanging out at the many cafés.
For me, the mall was the perfect stop after a morning of sightseeing. With its cool air-conditioning and diverse food choices, Botani Square offered a welcome break from Bogor’s busy streets. Among the many dining options, I chose Dapur Solo, eager to enjoy some traditional Indonesian dishes.
The story of Dapur Solo is a fascinating one. What began as a small home business founded by Hj. Swan Kumarga in the 1980s has since grown into one of Indonesia’s most respected restaurant chains specialising in authentic Solo cuisine. The founder’s vision was simple yet powerful: to introduce the rich culinary heritage of Solo (Surakarta), Central Java, to a wider audience, while keeping the flavours true to tradition.
I decided to try the sop buntut (oxtail soup), one of Indonesia’s most beloved dishes. From the very first sip, I could tell it was prepared with care. The broth was fragrant, infused with a blend of spices that gave it both depth and warmth. The oxtail itself was incredibly tender, the kind of meat that falls off the bone with little effort.
What made the soup truly addictive was its balance, it wasn’t overly heavy, yet it was rich enough to make you savour every spoonful. I found myself finishing the entire bowl, enjoying the way the spices lingered on the palate. Sop buntut at Dapur Solo is definitely a dish I would return for.
The second dish I ordered was gado-gado lontong, my favourite Indonesian dish that never disappoints. Gado-gado is essentially a mixed vegetable salad topped with a creamy peanut sauce, and the lontong (compressed rice cakes) makes it more filling.
The peanut sauce at Dapur Solo was especially good; smooth, nutty, and just the right balance of sweet and savoury. It coated the vegetables and lontong perfectly, elevating the dish into something far more satisfying than a simple salad. Every bite was fresh yet hearty.
No comments:
Post a Comment