Java: An icon of Indonesian dining
Java began life over 20 years ago, a humble little hole-in-the-wall on Avoca Street, catering mostly to Randwick locals and homesick Indonesians. Today it’s still the same pokey Avoca Street hideaway, albeit with slightly updated decor, but the crowd now come from far and wide. And we do mean ‘crowd’, by the way. Java is positively buzzing almost every night of the week, as diners pack in to get their fill of authentic Indonesian cuisine.
The restaurant is family-run, the service is warm and friendly, and the kitchen turns out delicious home style dishes familiar all over Indonesia. The sheer number of choices on the menu can be a little overwhelming, so if you’re not sure where to start, try the rijstaffel (Dutch for ‘rice table’) a banquet style selection of dishes to share, and a bargain at $55 for two.
Most tables start with the satay sticks, in either chicken, pork or prawn, served with a uniquely Indonesian sweet peanut sauce. The Java version of martabak is like a flattened spring roll, rather oily but very moreish with its mixture of eggs, shallots, beef mince and thin, crunchy pastry. The sop buntut is real home style comfort food, a flavoursome oxtail and vegetable soup reminiscent of Vietnamese pho.
Indonesians loved fried chicken, and the ayam goreng sereh (fried chicken with lemongrass and spices) is pure Javanese hawker food, moist and crunchy and served with a rousing chilli sambal. The rendang showcases meltingly tender beef cubes and a fragrant, spicy, coconutty gravy. Vegetarian options are equally as delicious, from the mountainous serving of gado gado (a crunchy salad with peanut sauce) to the semur terong (fried, battered eggplant with soft creamy insides and sticky sweet soy sauce).
HelloSydney Tip: The restaurant also serves one of the more intensely flavoured durian ice creams around – a must for lovers of the much-maligned but surprisingly delicious tropical fruit.
Posted by Fiona Davies
