While the whole nation was observing the holy month of Ramadhan right before the birth of Syawal, I had the opportunity to savour, mildly tuned, Manadonese cuisine for Iftar with a friend.
This outlet is neatly tucked in the bustling neighbourhood of Bangsar. We stumbled upon this outlet by "accident" and accident, I mean by unintentional discovery. Fret not, I am well and alive, rocking!
We stepped into the outlet with an open mind, well, "JO-VIAN", sounds Italian right? Well, with the help of googl-ing and "some look around and read brochure placed at the counter", I soon learnedthat, this outlet in Bangsar, is the second outlet opened in Klang Valley. Baby boomer of this outlet is located in Shah Alam.
ROA specializes in Manadonese, cuisine, entirely.
Manado cuisine or Minahasan cuisine is the cooking tradition of Minahasan people of North Sulewasi, Indonesia. It is popularly known as "Manado cuisine" after Manado city, the capital of the province. Manado cuisine is known for its rich variations seafood, daring amount of spices, extra hot condiment, exotic meats, and European-influenced cakes and pastries.
Mine is an Indian tongue that can take serious amount of heat and spice well but I tell you, this fare, is SPICY!.
A forethought that I would certainly advise, the food menu in ROA, Bangsar is limited. Therefore, if you are feeling adventurous all out on Manadonese meal, do head to the Shah Alam outlet.That outlet has an extensive list of dishes available.
We started of with,
I believe, this was a palate cleanser prior meal, I think. Sweet scent of ginger and spices lingers in every spoonful that you sip. There were also cubes of sweet potato and a root vegetable, which was so familiar to my palate.Hey, it was one the house too. 4/10
I am an enormous fan of nasi goreng (fried rice) and this was amongst the best fried rice that I have tasted thus far. The rice was fluffy and had a bit of crunch to it. Flavour full and bits of crispy fried shallots, good stuff. The plate came adorned with the fried rice, fried egg (not a great shout out), ayam rica (spicy chicken, baby bite nibblets) and not your regular fried fish cracker. 6/10.
Yes, it is spelled as "mie ayam". House made chicken ball floating in flavoursome soup, with shredded chicken, shallots and few other tasty bits in it. You may want to add a little chilli padi in it, for it may be, for me, lacking in heat. 7/10.
This is your "soto", luscious and savoury. The soto consisted of rice vermicelli noodles steeped in that broth. Alongside of shredded chicken, a half boil egg and home made dumpling bean curd. Let you not be fooled with the bright orangey and warm chilly dip, it literally sets your tongue on fire. The soto is served with rice but you may choose not have any. 7/10.
Well, this dish was a tad bit disappointing for me. This was more like a nasi campur (mixed rice) with combination of all ready cooked and kept dishes. There was ayam rica, sapi rica (spicy beef), serunding and chicken in coconut broth. If you are not a spice eater, I forewarn you that, do skip this dish. Both chicken and beef coated in spicy, fiery gravy, will torch your tongue. 4/10.
A definite dessert to end the fiery meal. This beverage is not only available in Manado, it is a staple drink throughout Indonesia. Sweet and decadent, with chopped avocado and young coconut flesh. 5/10
ROA specializes in Manadonese, cuisine, entirely.
Manado cuisine or Minahasan cuisine is the cooking tradition of Minahasan people of North Sulewasi, Indonesia. It is popularly known as "Manado cuisine" after Manado city, the capital of the province. Manado cuisine is known for its rich variations seafood, daring amount of spices, extra hot condiment, exotic meats, and European-influenced cakes and pastries.
Mine is an Indian tongue that can take serious amount of heat and spice well but I tell you, this fare, is SPICY!.
A forethought that I would certainly advise, the food menu in ROA, Bangsar is limited. Therefore, if you are feeling adventurous all out on Manadonese meal, do head to the Shah Alam outlet.That outlet has an extensive list of dishes available.
We started of with,
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| Tinutuan (in clear boullion) |
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| Nasi Goreng Rica |
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| Mie Ayam |
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| Mie Soto |
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| Nasi Manado |
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| Esteller |
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| ENID BLYTON |
It was a great pleasure to bump into my very first writing guru's random title after many years and book was used as a bill bearer. Cool right?
ROA was an experience, a curtain raiser to Manadones cooking. I would certainly recommend ROA for "adventurous" try outs. A meal for two is just right under RM 50.00. Reasonable and not too pricey.
What is your story like with ROA, if you have any?
ROA by Jovian Mandagie
NO 16,J, 59100
BANGSAR, KUALA LUMPUR
ROA was an experience, a curtain raiser to Manadones cooking. I would certainly recommend ROA for "adventurous" try outs. A meal for two is just right under RM 50.00. Reasonable and not too pricey.
What is your story like with ROA, if you have any?
ROA by Jovian Mandagie
NO 16,J, 59100
BANGSAR, KUALA LUMPUR
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| Mocha Tofu Cheesecake (top) and Peanut Butter Cake (bottom) |
Of course, it will be a sinful lie if I did not tout with you my dessert rendezvous for the night. Coffee Coffea, a little further down the road from ROA. Scrumptious desserts and ambience.
Coffee Coffea
2, 11, Jalan Telawi 2, Bangsar Baru,
59100 Kuala Lumpur,
Wilayah Persekutuan Kuala Lumpur
Coffee Coffea
2, 11, Jalan Telawi 2, Bangsar Baru,
59100 Kuala Lumpur,
Wilayah Persekutuan Kuala Lumpur
