Dining with Natalie: Jajanan

As a native of culinary melting pot Malaysia and the daughter of a restaurateur, UG student Natalie Voo knows her food. Every other week, she reviews Groningen’s student-friendly dining scene. This time: Jajanan.

I often don’t believe Asian restaurants in Groningen that claim to be authentic, as the majority of the time, flavours are altered to fit the Dutch palate. But fear not, for I possess a culinary sixth sense, and this time it pointed me towards Jajanan, beckoning me with promises of true Indonesian flavours.

The restaurant itself was simple – no frills and no fuss. We kicked things off with cuanki, a hearty blend of bakso (Indonesian meatballs) and tapioca balls served in beef broth. The bakso was well-seasoned and bouncy, just as it should be. The tapioca balls were like little flavour sponges, soaking up all that delicious broth and offering a delightful chewiness. Service was quick and friendly, no complaints here.

Next up, mie gacoan – spicy noodles that challenged my scepticism. Many claim heat but few deliver. Jajanan, however, meant business. The noodles packed a punch, leaving me extremely grateful to have ordered the delightfully refreshing cendol (pandan jelly, coconut milk and palm sugar syrup). Despite the noodles being a tad clumpy and the pangsit clearly not fresh off the fryer, it was still a winner in my book.

Now, onto the star of the show: mie ayam, the chicken noodles that stole the spotlight. They were a delightful mix of salty, savoury goodness with a nice limey brightness. Every component of the dish was just downright yummy. If I had to nitpick, the chicken could’ve been a touch more tender, but overall, it’s definitely one of Groningen’s best dishes.

We had the klepon (rice flour and coconut balls) and piscok (chocolate banana lumpias) for dessert, a duo of modest sweetness. They were alright – nothing too special.

Still, if you’re after tasty and affordable food, Jajanan is your spot. It’s also the most authentic Indonesian food I’ve come across in the city. It’s just a shame they’re only open on Sundays. But hey, perhaps it’s for the best. If they were open every day, I might find myself there often, and even with their reasonable prices, my wallet would never forgive me for it.

Dutch