Situated in a historic colonial-era house in the lush and serene Menteng area, Plataran Menteng is a celebration of the rich Indonesian heritage and the casual elegance of true Indonesian cuisine.
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The handsome heritage house situated at Jalan H.O.S Cokroaminoto 42 has been through many changes. Initially serving as a boarding house for medical students in the 1940s, the house was bought by Dr Liem Khe Loen in 1964 and served as his house and private clinic. Inherited by one of his five children, the house remained empty for a period of time. A fateful encounter led to a serendipitous meeting between the founder of Plataran and the house owner, a close family friend as it turned out. The joyous reunion resulted in a new lease of life for the old house.
Preserving the stunning Dutch colonial architecture was of the utmost importance to Plataran in its restoration of the house. With respect for the house’s legacy, the front and backyard, the ancient trees flanking the house and the late Dr Liem’s beloved orchid gardens have been kept.
Boasting generous balconies and overhangs, clean elegant lines and graceful colonial-style iron accoutrements, the house cuts a suave façade, which exudes colonial charm. Stepping inside, visitors are greeted by suave interiors with a touch of elegant Javanese architecture. The classical layout of the house has been kept, with small intimate sitting rooms, partitioned dining spaces and expansive halls big enough for private events. A central courtyard graces the interior. A stream of natural light bathes the house through banks of clean-cut skylights on the vaulted ceiling.
A sumptuous offering of inspired Indonesian-Asian cuisine is offered by Plataran Menteng. For starters, try the kerabu pucuk polong – a refreshing salad featuring string beans, sautéed prawns, perfectly gooey egg slices finished off with a tantalising house-made peanut-coconut sauce. For mains, tuck into the crowd favourite: kari ayam deli. An aromatic bowl of chicken curry accompanied with a side of delightfully crisp and chewy roti prata. Seafood lovers are urged to order the kerapu menteng – a whole grouper fried to crisp perfection, dressed with a bouquet of mint leaves, ginger flower, lemongrass and finished off with a spicy tamarind sauce. For those in need of their fix of sweet delights, try the addictive caramelised fermented cassava fritters (tape goreng), or the sinfully delicious grilled banana with cheddar rosti (pisang bakar plataran).
