Pondok Jawa – New Indonesian Restaurant in PLQ Mall

Pondok Jawa, a new Indonesian restaurant, has opened in Paya Lebar Quarters (PLQ). It offers Javanese cuisine at affordable prices. The new restaurant is located on Level 2 of PLQ Mall, just opposite UOB Bank.

Pondok Jawa

The Pondok Jawa story started in 2006, when founder Madame Indah began serving Javanese food at the canteen of the Indonesian Embassy in Singapore. Encouraged by a positive response, she later expanded into a restaurant at Far East Plaza. Known as Pondok Jawa Timur, it introduced the flavours of Eastern Javanese cuisine to a broader audience. The new Pondok Jawa at PLQ Mall marks its latest expansion.

The new outlet blends contemporary interior design with natural textures. The restaurant pairs ight-coloured wooden tables with woven rattan-style chairs. Large arched alcoves in green and light brown tones double as design features and photo backdrops.

The restaurant has no full-height walls separating it from the rest of the mall. This open concept makes the space feel more welcoming and airy.

Menu of Pondok Jawa

The menu at Pondok Jawa is rather extensive. It is divided into several sections. There are sections for soup, seafood, meat, and vegetables. Rice, noodles, and desserts are also available. The menu also features rice platters and lunch sets. Classic dishes like Ayam Penyet, Gado-Gado, and Mee Soto are offered. Other interesting options include Ikan Nila Goreng, Rendang Jawa Timur, and Udang Pete Belado.

Ordering is done by scanning a QR code on the table. Customers can then pay online or at the cashier’s counter. Below are screenshots of the online menu.

Lunch at Pondok Jawa PLQ

We visited the restaurant for lunch a few days after its opening. we ordered a Nasi Goreng Set ($11.90) from the Lunch Specials Menu, Lontong Sayur ($9.90) and a Nasi Pecel Rendang ($13.90). We also ordered Es Teller ($6.50) and an Indonesian coffee ($3.90). GST and Service Charge would be added to the prices shown on the menu.

Service was fairly efficient and food arrived in less than 15 minutes. Plating was neat but basic, with dishes served plainly on ceramic plates.

The Nasi Goreng set included a plate of fried rice and a glass of iced tea. We added a side of Sayur Lodeh for an additional $2.50, to balance the high-carbohydrate meal with more vegetables.

The fried rice with shredded chicken meat was a simple, homely dish. It was tasty. The Sayur Lodeh was of the expected standard.

Lontong Sayur was basically Sayur Lodeh, but with added rice cakes and a boiled egg. It was a satisfying one-dish meal that made us feel like we were eating something healthy

The Nasi Pecel Rendang was steamed white rice with beef rendang, telor balado, and pecel kediri. The beef rendang with a rich, aromatic spice sauce, was tender and delicious. The telor balado was a lightly fried boiled egg. It was topped with a belado sambal, which had a satisfying taste.

The pecel kediri could be a dish on its own. It consisted of blanched vegetables served with a spiced peanut sauce. It was topped with crunchy crackers, which provided a contrast in textures.

We found the Nasi Pecel Rendang to be a better choice than the Nasi Goreng Set.

Dessert & Coffee

When we ordered Es Teller, we could specify the level of sweetness. The popular Indonesian dessert was a refreshing treat. Avocado, jackfruit and coconut strips sat on a pile of shaved ice in a bowl of a creamy mix of coconut milk and condensed milk. Apart from the condensed milk, we would consider everything else to be pretty healthy stuff. So it almost felt like we were treating ourselves without the guilt.

The Indonesian coffee had a bold body with distinct chocolate notes. It was smooth, with less bitterness than might be expected.

Great for Quick Bite

The portion sizes at Pondok Jawa were just right if you want a light meal, but they might be a bit small if you have a bigger appetite. Most of the food tasted pretty good, and the rendang and dessert stood out as our favourites. Prices were reasonable. This Indonesian restaurant in PLQ mall is a nice spot for snacks or a quick bite. With its extensive menu, you could also have a great Indonesian feast there.

Ratings:
Food: 3
Service: 3
Value: 3
Atmosphere: 3
Overall Rating: 3 TOPs

Pondok Jawa
#02-09 PLQ Mall
10 Paya Lebar Road
Singapore 409057

Tel: +65 8905 2722

Mon – Thu: 11:30 am – 9:30 pm
Fri – Sat: 11:30 am – 10 pm
Sun: 11 am – 9 pm

Nearby MRT Station: Paya Lebar (EW8 CC9)

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