While Singapore has no shortage of Indonesian cuisine (e.g. Kulon for bakmi, Hajjah Mariam Cafe for Nasi Ambeng), that’s not stopping more businesses from offering diverse food from the archipelagic nation. One such eatery is newly halal-certified Bara and they specialise in Nasi Bakar or Indonesian grilled rice.
Whilst it has been operational for a year, it only received halal certification last week, according to a post published on its Facebook page.
Signature Nasi Bakar
Whilst grilling is a common cooking method in Indonesian cuisine, Bara introduces it to an unlikely component of any Indonesian meal: the rice.
Rich, aromatic, spice-infused rice is wrapped in banana leaves and grilled. This supposedly helps to draw out the rich aroma and flavours of rice that would otherwise go unnoticed through conventional cooking methods. Interesting.
In a sea of penyets and padang options, Bara seems like a promising source of traditional but unique Indonesian flavours.
The Nasi Bakar is the centrepiece of every meal here, served with a plethora of side dishes and a special secret sambal recipe.
Here are the sets that feature their signature grilled rice:
Bumbu Kemangi (S$10.50)
Bumbu Kemangi (your choice of shredded meat / mushroom cooked in Indonesian basil sauce and authentic blended spices.
Ayam Goreng Serundeng (S$10.50)
Javanese style fried chicken topped with ‘Serundeng’, mixed fried Indonesian herbs and spices.
Ayam Bakar Betutu (S$12.50)
Balinese style grilled chicken, served with a unique earthy ‘Sambal Matah’, a mixture of different raw spices in special chili oil.
Ayam Goreng Cabe Ijo (S$13.50)
Fried chicken topped with green chili sauce.
Sate Lilit (S$14.50)
Balinese style chicken and prawn satay marinated in traditional Indonesian herbs and grilled over fire.
Empal Rica Rica (S$15.50)
Fried beef in sweet sauce and infused with herbs and dry spices, topped with special ‘Sambal’ .
All sets come with Grilled Rice, Fried Tempe & Tofu, Sambal, Melinjo Crackers and Side Salad.
Ala Carte Menu
Also on the menu is a variety of classic Indonesian dishes that diners can add as sides or to share.
Some familiar names include Gado Gado (S$7.50), Telor Balado (S$5.50) and Kangkung Belacan (S$7.50).
If you are looking for something lighter, slurp up the Soto Ayam Kuning (S$9.00), an Indonesian style chicken soup ‘Soto’ with rice vermicelli noodle, shredded chicken meat and a plethora of vegetable toppings.
Or try the Soto Betawi (S$9.50) instead, a beef soup with potatoes, tomatoes, spring onions and served with Melinjo crackers.
Located in Tanjong Pagar
The eatery is located in Icon Village at 16 Enggor Street, which is about 5 minutes walk from Tanjong Pagar MRT station.
Address: 16 Enggor Street #01-10, Icon Village Extension, Singapore 079717
Halal status: MUIS halal-certified
Opening hours:
Monday to Saturday, 11:30am to 8:00pm
Sunday, 11:30am to 3:00pm
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