Makan Dulu (formerly House Of Sundanese Food) opens in Katong Shopping Centre

Maureen
Maureen
April 17, 2013

Makan Dulu

The sweet-tempered Sundanese people developed a taste for the raw sweetness of naturally occuring foods that they satisfied with luscious salads grown on the luxuriant land. One day, the people decided to enhance the taste of the fish by adding the ingredients of the salad they loved. And so, they pounded, mashed and ground the leaves, roots, stems and fruits into a thick, rich paste, which they spread generously over the sizzling fish and meats.

A tantalising aroma soon filled the air. Mouths watering, the people of Sundanese bit into of the fish and wonderment lit their eyes and set their tongues a-tingling as they savoured the delectable paste and tasted the sweet juices of the succulent flesh inside. And this is the essence of sundanese food.

At the House of Sundanese food (now called Makan Dulu), they have perfected this traditional sundanese cooking style. If you have been to House of Sundanese Food in Suntec City, you probably can remember some of the savoury dishes that is cooked with sweet sauce. Unfortunately, the mall is undergoing renovation and they have relocated to their new location – Katong Shopping Centre.

With the change in location, the owner of House of Sundanese food thought it was a good idea to re-brand the restaurant and introduced more Chinese food. Hence, they have changed the name to Lee’s Kitchen. Personally, I thought it was a bad move since “House of Sundanese Food” has already built a good reputation. Well never mind about that, what is more important is the food.

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In Indonesia, satay is available everywhere from travelling street vendors to upper-class restaurants. The more popular one is Satay Madura where the meat is marinated in sweet soy sauce, palm sugar, shallots, shrimp paste etc. Lee’s Kitchen serves Chicken Satay ($7.20/6pcs) and Mutton Satay ($9/6pcs) whereby hearty chunks of meat grilled over charcoal. The aroma is so addictive. If there is one dish you MUST TRY in this restaurant, it has got to be the satay.

Food portion here may look small but I think a combination of a few dishes is adequate for a good dinner. Ayam Bumbu Rujak ($4.90) has a quarter chicken in a smooth, rich flowing sauce of harmoniously blended spices and chillies. There is a hint of lemongrass in the gravy and the chicken is tender and juicy.

Satay Tauhu ($5.20) has a combination of tauhu, tempeh and lentils covered with satay sauce. Nothing spectacular about its satay sauce, but I thought the additiona of lentils is quite unique. Charocoal Grilled Sotong ($3.80) had marinated squid cooked over fire with bango sauce. It has a lovely sweetness and the sotong is very Q.

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Another specialty here is their Beef Rendang ($7.20) with chunks of beef marinated and slow cooked in a myraid of spices. The meat is extremely tender with an aromatic rendang gravy that is moderately spiced. Taupok Goreng ($6/5pcs) are huge Taupok balls stuffed with waterchestnuts, mushrooms and small prawns. Personally I find it too oily for my liking.

While many restaurants would serve Sambal Kang Kong, Lee’s Kitchen serves Kang Kung ($6.50) with salted soya beans instead. The morning glory is stir-fried with bean paste, and the vegetables retain the natural crunch and texture. If you still prefer the typical sambal kang kong, not a problem as you can always add in the sambal belachan.

My aunty and I loved its Sambal egg plant ($5.80). Though it is just a normal fried egg plant, but the sweet mildly spicy sauce just make it perfect, especially for someone like me who doesn’t like eggplant.

If all is not enough, how about having Lee’s Charcoal Fish ($28.20). The fried fish was quite crispy on the outside and soft and moist inside and is enough to share among 2-3 people. Indonesian sweet sauce, kicap manis, is brushed over the dish, giving it a tangy sweetness.

Makan Dulu

And here’s a cup of Avocado for dessert which helps to neutralize the array of diverse flavours throughout the course of the meal. White rice ($1.50) here is served in rattan baskets. Ok I know there are too many dishes, but here’s my top 3 list: Satay, Beef Rendang, Kang Kung.

Makan Dulu (formerly House Of Sundanese Food)

Address: Katong Shopping Centre, 865 Mountbatten Road, #01-41
Tel: 6440 9661

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