Review: Shirokuma Cafe

Shirokuma - BGM, Pantai Indah Kapuk

Shirokuma means 'white bear' in Japanese, hence, the white bear logo on the rooftop. They specialise in Japanese style desserts like parfaits, anmitsu, and they also have some savoury snacks as well. This place is heaven for Matcha lovers like me, because most of their menu is matcha themed.

This newly opened dessert cafe is SO POPULAR right now that it was really really crowded when I came (waited for 30mins+ to get seated lol). I guess part of the reason why I waited so long is that most of the visitors (teenage couples duh), won't go home even long after they finish eating… Well that's their right, but I think they should 'care' that tons of people are waiting outside.

1. Matcha Anmitsu 

This one is a bowl 'filled' with red bean, mochi, shiratama balls, and a kind of matcha jelly served with syrup. You can add additional toppings if you want, I added matcha soft cream. Honestly, the soft cream is the lifesaver in this one, it's not bad, it's just so small. Maybe 1/4 of the portion of 'that other dessert place' HAHA. BUT, the matcha soft cream is SO GOOD, I don't think you can find ice cream like this in other places, it's so soft, smooth, milky, and just the right sweetness. I seriously LOVE the ice cream.

2. Shiratama Parfait 

Judging from the popularity of this one (most people order this one), I think it's their signature parfait (they have several parfaits). This one has soft cream, shiratama balls, cornflakes, mochi, red beans, and matcha jelly. Again, love the ice cream so much! And that wooden serving board is too cute!

3. Chocolate Parfait 

For those of you who don't like matcha (like my sister), go for this one! Vanilla soft cream, crushed oreos, cornflakes, mochi, shiratama balls, and pocky.

4. Deep Fried Oreo

Does the name make your eyes pop? Yeah, oreos- one of the world's most popular cookie, coated with batter and deep fried into perfection, served with the amazing soft cream! Can you say no? No.

5. Tonkatsu Japadog

Japadog = Japanese Hotdog (I think). They have several kinds of Japadog in their menu, but this one is the most popular. The sausage is deep fried and topped with tonkatsu sauce, japanese mayo, and mustard. It's okay, not that great. I would stick to their sweet stuff hehe, but if you want something savoury then go for this (or they have french fries too).

6. Iced Chocolate Float

This one is my sister's and she loved it so much, tastes milky and sweet and chocolaty. And you can;t ignore that swirl of soft cream! Yum.

7. Matcha Soft Cream

Last but not least, the matcha soft cream on an ice cream cone. I love the ice cream so much I ordered another one to eat on the way home hehee, better eat it fast before it melts!! <3

More and more dessert cafes are opening in Jakarta, I think Shirokuma will continue to be popular, because it has it's own Japanese-style and amazing ice cream while other dessert places offer pretty much the same dessert-style. I do think they need to increase the portion size a bit… hehee XD

Service was very friendly, though they seem to be not-so-organised. I can understand that though, they are, still new, and it was very crowded, so its understandable.

I will come back again and see how good they're doing ;)

Shirokuma Cafe 

Ruko Crown Golf Blok A No. 32 
Pantai Indah Kapuk
Jakarta Utara 14460 (beside Han OK Korean Restaurant)

website: shirkuma cafe

Review: Penang Bistro

Penang Bistro - Central Park Mall

Penang Bistro has got to be one of the 'prettiest' restaurants in malls that I have ever been to, seriously gorgeous. The president (Mr SBY) himself has been here too (that picture frame on the receptionist desk). You can't go wrong with that!

Here is the pathway into the dining area, pretty right?

These are the main dining area:

They also have a private room that you can book for special events:

Isn't the interior beautiful? And I think they put a kind of aromatherapy here, it smells amazing! Perfect for dates, business meetings, birthdays, etc.

Now, let's see what I ordered…

Singapore Chili Crab (ate this with additional rice)

Looking at this right now makes me…,, sad. I am now craving this yummy crab, oh my.. Some people might be unsure of ordering seafood dishes in restaurants like this instead of 'speciality seafood restaurants', but I think Penang Bistro's version of Chili Crab is actually more delicious than some seafood restaurant's version. I'm not saying that it's the best ever in Jakarta, but, it is very very good. It is sweeter than other versions in Jakarta (I ate lots of Chili Crab in Singapore and they were in fact, sweet, not spicy). So, it depends on your preference, you like it spicy, or sweet? :D

Chef's Special Fried Rice

If you love fried rice and curry, definitely order this dish! This is one of their most well-known dishes (I think), and for good reason. They give a generous portion (once you cut through the 'egg blanket'), generous meat, and seasoned nicely). This one is a real good curry fried rice! Thumbs up.

Prawn Laksa

Last but not least, the Prawn Laksa (ordered by my dad, who loves spicy-sour-sweet dishes like this). He said it was good, but not that 'great' either. But they did gave a quite generous portion and it smelled really great!

I didn't order that much today because we're planning on having dessert in another place later, so..

The service was friendly, but I found it irritating that I needed to wave & call the waiter several times before she noticed, too busy daydreaming (?) hahaha.

As for the price, I think it's average, if compare it to their interior though, I can consider it very affordable hehe. (I'm such an interior snob!)

I will come back again!!

Penang Bistro Central Park

Central Park Mall 
1st floor, unit L1 - 112A 
Jl. Let. Jend. S. Parman Kav. 28
Jakarta Barat