MURA’S WARUNG — Restaurant in Niigata

This is my first trip to Niigata. Was looking for a restaurant for dinner and the name Mura’s Warung was so unique - it was screaming at me on Google map :) (am not from Indonesia but live right next door) Had to explore what they serve. Lo and behold, Pork Ribs !!!!!!!!!!

It is own by Mura-san who is a Niigata native. I asked him why a “Warung” ? Well it turns out that he has been to Bali 11 times. He loves the food and, no surprise, the bbq pork rib. So he learned it from a local restaurant owner and brought the recipe back to his hometown. He did a very fine job at that.

The restaurant is a nice cosy place. Very relaxing. It has a nice bar counter so for those travelling alone, this is a good place to be.

The menu has various options - salads, seafood, noodles, rice and of course the meat. Pork rib is the main draw. The logo outside the restaurant tells one what to expect.

I ordered a small slab of pork rib (big, medium, small) and it comes with a basic garnish and lime, with a bbq source at the side. Mura-san was also kind enough to let me know that i can even consider the SS size - which is 2 bones as part of a dinner set meal. I was given a complimentary prawn salad as well. The small slab comes with 4 bones and it is well marinated and oh, it just so easy to eat them - drop off from the bone easily.

I must highlight the ordering process. Many owners try to upsell their dishes. But not Mura-san. He told me about what to order and what other choices (eg smaller portion) and also what not to order ! Had wanted to order an additional ABC sauce with the ribs but he said the dish comes with a nice bbq sauce.

I paired my dinner with a Bintang beer (from Indonesia of course). This place has quite a good selection of alcohols - international selections of beers, and of course, Mura-san’s pride - the sakes from Niigata. Am allergic to alcohol, so Mura-san was so kind as to offer me a small cup - “please try. Just for tasting. Free !”. The sake was really good i must say !

Overall, a very satisfactory meal with reasonable price. And what an honest and nice owner....

新潟駅の南口、大通りに面したアジアンリゾートスタイルのバー、ムラズワルンさん。

ツートンの10年来の友人である先輩が店長を務めるお店。 南国リゾートをイメージした店舗はバーカウンターとテーブル席を備え、大人数の飲み会にも対応。

このお店はとにかくスペアリブがオススメ。甘めのタレでかぶり付く肉々しいスタイルの名物。 辛いモノ好きな人にはスパイスがかかったバージョンもあり、お酒がすすむことうけあい。 東南アジア系料理のほか、バラエティに富んだメニューが並びます。 お酒もアジアンビールから日本酒、ワインなど多彩な品揃え。

南国リゾートのような雰囲気でお店を出たら砂浜なんじゃないかと錯覚する...

顔見知りじゃないと注文が後回しにされるようです。

店内がガラガラなのに、頼んだ料理が出てくるまで1時間弱。 後から入ってきた顔見知りらしき客には、私たちが頼んだものと同じ料理が全員分提供されていました。

このような接客をするような店ですので、初見で行く人にはお勧めしません。

店内の内装も凡庸で、料理の味もごく普通。 不味くもないですが、また食べたいと思わせるようなものはありません。そこらへんのビュッフェで出てくるのと同じレベルです。

他の店より秀でてる部分は特にないため、不愉快な思いをする可能性がある中、わざわざこの店を...