Ganesha Ek Sanskriti

I was feeling like having Indian food today, so I searched for a nearby Indian restaurant that serves authentic Indian cuisine. After minutes of browsing through Instagram and Zomato, I came to a decision to have my lunch at Lippo Mall, Kuta - at this Indian restaurant named Ganesha Ek Sanskriti to be exact. 

Apparently, Ganesha Ek Sanskriti has numerous branches around Bali, Jakarta, and Jogjakarta. This particular restaurant, as it claimed, serves various traditional Indian cuisine. The price for the food and beverage is quite expensive, so I would suggest you to share your food with family and friends, so that you can split the bill. Or, if you’re in the mood to have a date with yourself (like me earlier this afternoon), please get the food according to how much you can eat. The portion of the food is quite a lot. Make sure no food gets left behind!

For today’s lunch, I had me some Sev Puri, Garlic Naan, Chicken Butter, and a cup of hot Chamomile Tea. It was quite a lot to handle by myself, yet I managed to finish everything but four left-over pieces of the Sev Puri because I was too damn full. 

A little insight about Sev Puri and Puri itself. According to my quick research on the internet, Puri, or Poori, is basically fried Indian flatbread. It is made out of wheat flour and it is made in small batches. It is typically very crispy and thin. The name that goes in front of the Puri is usually what you have the puri with, in this case a Sev Puri, which is basically Puri with a popular Indian snack in the shape of crushed uncooked noodles that is Sev. Made out of chickpea flour and seasoned with spices like turmeric, cayenne, and carom seeds, the Sev is placed on top of each Puri as its’ cherry on top. 

To my knowledge, there are numerous way you can enjoy your Puri. It can definitely be indulged with anything your heart’s content - let it be savory gravy, curry, mint water, simple syrup, anything - hence the various names of Puri dishes, like Pani (flavored water) Puri, and Dahi (curd) Puri. 

Now, the Sev Puri that I had was basically crispy dumpling-skin-like puffs filled with chickpeas and potatoes, drizzled with yogurt and tamarind sauce, then topped with crunchy and savory lentil-based vermicelli (Sev). I have never seen anything like it before! It was, in a way, tantalizing. Since I’m a Sev Puri virgin, I’m not quite sure on how I could eat it properly. But, then, I remembered a video of the Try Guys eating Indian food with Lilly Singh with one of the dishes being Dahi Puri, and it said in the video that the way you can properly eat a Puri dish is by putting the whole thing in your mouth and let the whole thing pops and floods you with a sea of flavor. With no hesitation, I popped one in my mouth and, boy, did it explode. 

My mouth was bursting with flavors I have never encountered before! There was this creamy and thick yogurt that tasted savory and milky, yet somewhat sweet. A splash of super sweet and sour liquid came afterwards, which I assumed to be the tamarind sauce, which collided with the well-cooked and well-seasoned chickpea and potato filling creating a whole new mouthful of flavor that danced on my tastebud. The Sev on top was very crunchy, as well as the Puri. Everything was on the right amount, making the whole being of the Sev Puri had a well-balanced flavor although each food ingredients had very strong and lip-smacking character. 

What was unfortunate was that I asked the waitress beforehand regarding the amount of Sev Puri served in one portion. She told me that there would be six pieces of it, which I thought was an okay portion and that I could finish it by myself, so I ordered it. What came was ten pieces of Sev Puri. Although they were small and light, each Puri had a handful of stomach-filling ingredients inside. In the end, I couldn’t finish all of it and took the left-over home with me.

Soon after my appetizer was served, came the main course that was the Garlic Naan and the Chicken Butter. Naan here is basically oven-baked flatbread, which I love very much! The Naans at Ganesha Eh Sanskriti was thin, yet very fulfilling and quite heavy. Butter and chopped garlic were glazed on its’ surface, making it had this salty and strong flavor. The bread itself was bland though, but combined with the Chicken Butter’s gravy made the dish very delicious and addictive! 

It’s a good thing that the chicken in my Chicken Butter was tender and boneless, so I didn’t have to get my hand dirty separating the meat from the bones. The gravy was very thick and heavy, I had to take a break in between my meal because I was suddenly hit with nausea from being too full. That was when my hot Chamomile Tea came to rescue! Although zesty, or minty, beverage is usually a great neutralizer, my Chamomile Tea worked out just fine on helping the food go down. 

All in all, my first dining experience at Ganesha Ek Sanskriti was not a let down. The waitresses who served me were very friendly and helpful in terms of choosing the dishes. I even asked which one is better between the Pani Puri and the Sev Puri and she recommended me the Sev Puri with such enthusiast. I spent around Rp250.000,00 for all the things that I ordered and I was content as the food tasted as delicious as its’ price. 

Ganesha Ek Sanskriti

Lippo Mall Kuta, Ground Floor

Jl. Kartika Plaza, Kuta - Bali 80361

Opening Hours:

MON - SUN: 11 AM - 11 PM

Contact:

+62 361 897 8056

Pratha and Masala Chai at Warung Pappys

It has been approximately three weeks since I moved to Bali. Yes, I bid my goodbye to Surabaya with a heavy heart, but, hey, we all have to move on at one point, right? The first week was too much for me to handle; I was diagnosed with Dengue Fever, I had to adapt with the hectic schedule in Bali, I got no friends to talk to (still do), the neighborhood of where I am currently living is very noisy I had to force myself to sleep every night with the never ending dangdut music playing from just across the street, and I got no internet connection here whatsoever. It got better on the second week, but I was still struggling. Luckily, I got my day offs and I managed to spend some nights at Jakarta, mending my mental health with my loved ones. Going back to Bali was still arduous, but then I managed affirm myself that it is okay. Eventually, things got better. 

One of the things that gives me an extra boost of energy during rainy days is Warung Pappys, a small Indian dinning place just a walk away from my place. Located adjacent to the narrow, yet crowded, street of Kubu Anyar, Warung Pappys is the place to enjoy authentic Indian cuisine when you’re in the mood for a warm Masala Chai and a finger-lickin’-good Cheese and Milk Pratha. Those two are the bomb combination I’ve been having these past two weeks at nights when I feel like going out, yet too lazy to drive to La Favela. 

Kneaded on demand, the chef at Warung Pappys made their food fresh based on the customer’s orders. I had to wait for around half an hour for a piece of Cheese and Milk Pratha, but it was worth the wait. Thank God my Masala Chai always comes earlier than my food, so I could enjoy sipping the warm and milky spiced tea as I wait for my toasted dough to arrive on my table. Frothy, milky, well-spiced, and just enough sweetness to satisfy your sweet-tooth, Warung Pappys plain Masala Chai tastes amazing! I always get my Masala Chai warm because ain’t no ice cubes gonna comfort my fragile body on a windy Bali night. Although it tastes even better when you drink it in between your bites of Cheese and Milk Pratha, I always drink my Masala Chai as an appetizer and dessert. 

When I first ordered my Pratha, I expect my Pratha to be like the martabak at Warung Bu Nana’s, but I ended up getting corrected. My Pratha came in a rather large plate and it filled the whole platter to the brim. It was garnished with grated cheese and drizzled with a heavy amount of condensed milk. Boy, was I excited? The thing I noticed from Warung Pappys Pratha is that it got this hint of garlic here and there. Very subtle, very well hidden, but it’s there! And, unexpectedly, it worked well with the whole cheese and sticky sweet milk. Most of the surface of the Pratha was charred, making the whole thing very crispy and most of the time deliciously enjoyable. The dough was plain, although a bit savory, and the texture was undeniably solid, yet chewy. The size may be too big for some people, and of course the combination of milk and cheese can be sickening as well for those who have weak stomach, but, I bullshit you not, I may be able to finish two and a half portion of this baby. 

Unfortunately, customers aren’t allowed to smoke inside the dining place as it’s exclusive for non-smokers only, so I had to step out of the tavern to enjoy a sip, or two, after I finish my hearty meal. The price range may not be as budget-friendly as you think, but it's okay and somewhat acceptable. After all, they are serving authentic Indian food here at Warung Pappys. At some points, when I glanced through the separating glass that divides the dinning area and the kitchen, I saw a friendly-faced plump Indian man kneading some dough, along side a beautiful woman in sari whose face looks more Indonesian than the Indian man himself. My guess is that the couple is Pappys and Mammys.    

Warung Pappys

Jalan Kubu Anyar, No. 29

Kuta, Kabupaten Badung

Bali 80361

Opening Hours:

MON - SUN: 11AM - 10PM

Contact:

+62 812 3631 2885

Kedai Khas Palembang: Selera Kito

Located strategically at Kota Wisata, occupying one of the spots at Tenda Resto Fresh Market, Selera Kito has been the number one place me and my boyfriend visit every time we are in the mood for some good Roti Canai. This food tent, owned by a local named Yusuf, serves a variety of Indian-infused Palembang cuisine. Martabak Kari, Roti Canai, Nasi Kebuli, Teh Tarik, you name it! You can have them all here with a reasonable price, good portion, and guaranteed deliciousness. And, no, I'm not exaggerating. 

Our custom, my boyfriend and I, is to order the Roti Canai with different condiments. I usually go with the Roti Canai Susu, which is a plate of Roti Canai with a side of condensed milk, while my boyfriend goes with the Roti Canai + Kari Kentang that comes with a generous bowl of potato curry. We usually dip our share of Roti Canai in each other condiments. So, whenever I feel like I had an okay amount of sweetness from the condensed milk, I would go for the curry, and vice versa, and so on. 

The thing about the Roti Canai at Selera Kito is that it is freshly folded and fried on the spot. The cook would grab a handful of dough, stretch it and spin it around like pizza dough, and fried it until it has this crispy golden brown surface. I am amazed by how thin, yet fulfilling the Roti Canai is. It has a great gummy texture with a hint of glutinous sweetness in every bite, significantly stretchy but not rubbery, has a good level of crispiness, and not oily. It goes best with the condensed milk, in my opinion as I am sweet-toothed as you all may know, but it goes along great as well with the curry. 

I'm never a big fan of thick soup, or curry sauce, or anything that lacks the consistency of liquid, nor solid, but this is an exception. Turns out, I love the potato curry more than I expected. What I love about the curry is that it is not sickening although it may look unappetizing. It tasted savory, very rich, warm as it was served, and it had this bits of mashed potato in it that I could chew in between chewing the Roti Canai. I once found a chunk of lamb meat inside of the curry. But, since I don't like lamb very much, I didn't eat it. The curry is not the least bit spicy if you're curious. 

The other dish that has become my second favorite dish at Selera Kito is the Nasi Kebuli. I love the radiant and flavorful Nasi Kebuli, which comes with a bowl of chicken curry and a side of pickled carrots. Man, I love it so much, especially after a long day out with bae just when we are at the peak of our hunger and exhaustion. 

The dish may look small, but it's fulfilling if you were to eat it by yourself. You can choose which part of the chicken you want for your curry. I usually go with the breast because the breast contains the most meat, and I usually share my meal with my boyfriend. 

I love how the rice is warm when it is served and release this appetizing fragrant. The texture reminds me a lot of how the rice in Doha, Qatar, are like: slightly longish and firm. Each spoonful of the rice itself is already delicious, let alone it being eating with some pickled carrots, chicken meat, and a spoonful of curry. Perfect!

As for the drink, I always ordered myself a glass of warm Teh Tarik. Basically, Teh Tarik is just like milk tea, with extra sweetness on the side. Too bad I didn't have a picture of the warm drink, but I do recommend you guys to get this lovely beverage when you have the chance. 

Selera Kito

Fresh Market, Kota Wisata

Cibubur

Opening Hours:

Everyday, except Monday and Thursday: 04.30 PM - 11.00 PM

Contact:

+62 21 9856 6827

+62 857 1177 0670

Bits of KLIA2

My trip to Malaysia got me searching the web on how to forget bad memories. It may not be the worst memory I can recall, but it definitely is one of them. I found an article on WikiHow that made me feel somewhat supported by its' step-by-step ways on how to banish the unwanted bad memories and reducing the anxiety I'm having every time it knocks on my door. One of the ways says, "Focus on happier memories" so that's what I'm doing now.

It was last week when I went to Malaysia, departed on the 7th and got back to Indonesian on the 11th. I wasn't on a vacation, instead a full day of SEP Training and a set of ZFTT simulator that started in the middle of the night and lasted for four hours straight. To be honest, I enjoy the new experiences, but it was dreadful to say the least. I managed to survive and found bits and bobs that flicker a light inside this my black void of mine. So emo, I can't handle myself.

I stayed at Tune Hotel, accompanied by my Mom, and didn't travel far for food. We ate mostly at KLIA2, depending on the chains of fast food restaurants and groceries that provide food that we were familiar with. It varied from Burger King's crispy fried chicken, Paparich's Nasi Hainam with Ayam Goreng, Aunty Anne's Cheese Pretzel Dog, to imported grocery snacks such as Pop Tarts, Cheetos, Arizona, and Milo Cubes.

I bought a couple bag of Milo Cubes at Jaya Grocery for less than RM10. Each bag is filled with fifty cubes of compressed Milo powder, which confuse me on why this snack is highly demanded in Jakarta when it's just a regular Milo with different shape.



I was exited when I stumbled upon Arizona Green Tea on the beverage aisle. I am used of seeing this fancy canned drink on Tumblr posts and could only imagine how the drink taste like, until last week.

A can of Arizona Green Tea costed approximately RM5.50 and I finally bought one on my second day after contemplating on how expensive it was. It was an okay deal though because the can was large, 600-something mL in volume.

I was in doubt about the flavor of the green tea as it contains ginseng and honey. The honey was fine, but it was the ginseng that I wasn't sure of. I don't think I have tried ginseng before, hence I'm not familiar with the flavor at all. I had my expectation regarding the taste of the beverage, but as I open the can and took a sip of it, turns out it didn't taste like how I thought it would be. Not in a bad way, but somewhat good, a bit in the middle, and rather okay. It tasted odd at first, but then it became good after the next few gulps. I ended up finishing the whole thing on the next day.



On my last day, Mom took me on a train ride to Putrajaya to meet some friends of our family. We met up at the train station, where we got picked up and drove to this dining place near their house that serves Roti Canai. I was full at that moment, as I had my share of Aunty Anne's Cheese Pretzel Dog earlier, but I ended up digging most of Mom's plate of Roti Canai. It was thin and savory, filled with eggs and cheese, and accompanied with a not-so-generous portion of spicy chicken curry. I usually prefer my Roti Canai with sweet condensed milk, or sugar, but this one was exceptionally good.

A couple of the last few things I had on my last day was a Baskin Robbin's Junior Double Scoop ice cream, that consisted of Maui Brownies and Caramel Turtle Truffle, and a small bag full of Garrett's butter popcorn. I used to think that there is nothing an ice cream can't fix, but I stand corrected. Ice cream may not be able to fix everything, but it sure can give us a wee bit of happiness in our hearts during hard times. 

And that's the end of it.