Monkey Rules
Although at first people will figure it is a Western restaurant from the name or the logo, 3 Wise Monkeys Resto & Bar actually offers Japanese cuisine with a modern twist. There is a meaning behind the three monkeys’ logo: see no evil, hear no evil, speak no evil. It is the Japanese golden rule, essentially illustrating how 3 Wise Monkeys only offers the best to its customers. Opened less than one year ago, in October 2014, 3 Wise Monkeys has become the talk of the town and one of the most happening hang-outs in Jakarta. Situated in the busy district of Senopati, 3 Wise Monkeys makes itself a great venue for events, meetings, hangouts or a casual lunch and dinner experience.
This two-storey building has a non-smoking area on the first floor and a sushi bar, which also serves as a late regular bar, on the second floor with sofas that are comfortable to lounge on. With its open space concept, it can accommodate up to 100 people. The interior is very simple, a combination of a modern and traditional atmosphere with a Japanese touch, represented by illustrations of origami, Japanese matriarchs and frolicking primates on the wall. 3 Wise Monkeys offers a wide variety of dishes and beverages with high-quality standards, including, but not limited to, sashimi, udon, tempura, gyutan, katsu, noodles and many more. Those dishes are more than just standard Japanese dishes thanks to the chef adding special ingredients and a modern twist.
For starters, you can choose salty or spicy edamame, or the Zensai, which consists of garlic pickles, seaweed salad and a salmon wrap filled with fresh avocado and cucumber. There’s also Mukozuke, salmon, tuna and octopus sashimi.
There are several recommended dishes on the menu, such as the California roll, a classic sushi roll which includes kani, tobiko, vegetables, avocado and mayonnaise, whereas 3 Wise Monkeys’ special spicy salmon roll has the addition of cream cheese, kani stick, takwan and mayonnaise. The roll is filled with spicy salmon and covered with crispy skin topped with crunchy tobiko.
The miso soup adds another level of complexity with its mushrooms, seaweed and silken tofu. Give the Gyutan a try – a marinated grilled ox tongue. Despite what you are imagining right now, the texture is actually perfect – tender and savoury. The Gyutan is one of the most popular dishes in 3 Wise Monkeys. For fish lovers, the steamed salmon with truffle sauce and grilled salmon head are on the top of the list. On the other side of the table, meat lovers would do well to go for the shoyu butter beef US prime, or shoyu butter chicken. The shoyu butter is available a la carte or as a set menu with soup, salad, rice and chawan mushi. The beef in particular is tender and perfectly cooked.
To complete your dining experience, there is a wide selection of non-alcoholic and alcoholic beverages. Espresso Saketini is a unique blend between espresso coffee and sake, fused with Kahlua and vodka. Other signature drinks from 3 Wise Monkeys include the Sake Sangria, which is a mixture of red wine and peach-flavoured syrup with slices of strawberry. And there is also Kimochi and Ganbatee served cold to brighten up your day. Kimochi is made from crushed lychee fruits and pineapple in passion syrup and orange juice, while Ganbatee is a blended creation of bananas, orange juice, fresh lime juice and vanilla. The restaurant also offers a vast selection of juices, cocktails, mocktails, sake and other liquors as well.
