NOE ( Noesantara ) — Restaurant in Batam City

Passed by this restaurant that offers authentic Indonesian cuisine on their menu , saw the high ratings on Google, and decided to patronize them for dinner the next evening.

We were warmly greeted at the main entrance to the rather cosy restaurant and ushered immediately to our table, as we were the only patrons around 6pm on a Monday. Settled down and ordered the following dishes.

Ubi Tumbuk (Cassava Leaf, White Baits & Special Sauce) that came with a good balance of creamy, nutty and savory note. Each Spoonful was hearty but not heavy, rustic but satisfying.

Urap Sayur (Salad With Spiced Coconut Toppings) with lightly blanced veggies, stayed crisp. Tossed in spiced grated coconut thats a little spicy, sweet and tangy. Its a refreshing dish and feels both healthy and indulgent at the same time.

Tempre Mendoan (Fried Tempre) came in generous portion, well-fried but tempre could have been sliced thinner for a lighter bite texture since its battered for deep frying.

Nasi Uduk With Ayam Goreng, came with rice cooked in coconut milk, pandan, lemongrass and spices. Paired well with crispy, tender and well-seasoned fried chicken thigh, as well as crispy, sweet & spicy potato sticks with ikan billis & nuts, and lastly sambal. Its too a hearty dish, but homely and addictive.

However, we ordered an extra plate of Nasi Kunning (Rice cooked in Coconut Milk as well, but with Tumeric and spices - Its was fluffy and very fragrant) and ate with the sides from the plate of Nasi Uduk with Ayam Goreng, and personally, the sides and sambal paired even better and tastier for me.

Overall, its a restaurant worth patronizing for their good and value-for-money food offered, not to mention about their attentive and efficient services rendered by their polite...

I had high hopes for NOEsantara, but the experience was mixed and leaned towards disappointing.

Food Quality: The tempe, tofu and egg platter was far too sweet, overpowering the natural flavors.

The chicken skin turned out overly oily, leaving a heavy aftertaste.

The eggplant was burnt, which made it bitter instead of smoky.

The noodles were undercooked and lacked the expected texture.

What Worked: The pandan chicken was enjoyable — flavorful, aromatic, and cooked well.

Service & Ambience: Service was warm and welcoming, which lifted the overall experience. However, one of our orders was missed, which was disappointing. The ambience of the place was pleasant and inviting.

Overall: While the environment and staff leave a good impression, the inconsistent food quality and missed order dragged the experience down. I would give 2 stars, with an additional star only for the service...

I had the pleasure of dining here at a Noesantara managed by Sir Gunawan and his dedicated team, and it was an exceptional experience considering it was a casual restaurant. Sir Gunawan’s humbleness and the way he treats his staff is both encouraging and motivating, creating a warm and welcoming atmosphere.

The food was absolutely amazing, reminiscent of homemade dishes, reflecting their pride in the quality they offer—a rarity these days. The team’s passion for their culinary craft is evident in every bite, and the authenticity of the Indonesian cuisine they serve is truly remarkable.

This family-run business exudes the warmth of Indonesian hospitality, making it a place I will definitely return to for more delicious meals. Highly recommended for anyone seeking genuine and heartfelt...