Bandung — Restaurant in Waitematā

Honestly, as an Indonesian myself, I am very impressed with the food and everything about Bandung restaurant.

The food was excellent. The amount of herbs & spices in every dishes and the portion itself is just right, which allow you to really indulge in the food without feeling bloated.

My favorite is their tempe, kerupuk (crackers), ayam penyet (smashed chicken) and all their condiments, the sambal (chilli paste) and the kecap (sweet soy sauce); really level up the dishes flavour.

In regards to ambience and service, they are five stars. The owner + manager in charge on that day, Esmeralda, was so lovely, explaining the inspiration of her food that comes from her home country (Bandung, West Java, Indonesia). Then I also had a chat with the talented chef, who's thinking to serve other interesting dishes for the summer menu, that I'm so excited for.

Moreveover, they really paid attention to trivial details beyond plating and tableware. They are going full on with the artwork, the playlist, the lighting, the batik and tenun (Indonesian fabric) cushions, which take the dining experience to the level.

Plus, they have a hidden backyard that looks so cozy, especially for those who come for drinks.

As you can tell, I am very satisfied with Bandung in Parnell and will definetly come back for many more times.

#bestIndonesianrestaurantinAuckland In...

Bandung is a wonderful place to visit in Parnell with a good range of Indonesian and fusion options!

We ordered a Soto Ayam ($19) (chicken broth with vegetables and glass noodle), Mie Goreng with prawn ($22.50), and a fried chicken ($15) and Dutch fries ($10.50) to share. The food arrived pretty quickly (little over 10 minutes) and we were really pleased at just how varied the flavours were. The chicken broth was very hearty with a good warmth from the turmeric. The potato cake on the side was also a nice touch. The noodles were also fantastic. They were generously seasoned and topped with plenty of vegetables and pickles. The sauce on the side was also a good touch to add a little heat. A very nice portion of noodles and prawns too!

The sides are fun too - the Dutch fries were a little chunky but very crispy and nicely coloured. The chicken was maybe a little over-fried, but the flavour of the coating and meat was really great with a hint of spice. Potions are a little on the smaller side, so if you are in a larger group, consider ordering a few.

The space is decorated really well, and it's pleasing to see. The staff were lovely too. Its prices and quality are quite great and comparable (or better) to most places around central Auckland. I definitely...

I can see raving reviews on Google. I must have ordered the wrong dish with a different expectation. It was a chilly day, I wanted a bowl of soup noodle. I ordered the chicken Soto, went for the large size at $19. In the description it says clear broth with glass noodle, I was expecting a good serving of noodle considering I went for the large size. What I got was a small bowl of soup with only a sprinkle of glass noodles in it, with small amount of shredded chicken breast. I walked away hungry. It may be partly my fault for not checking before ordering but I thought for just a bowl of soup $19 is a bit over priced considering you can get a main size vegetarian nasi goreng from their menu for $0.50 less. Service was good though. If only I have ordered something else I might have walked away with a...