Here's the list of legendary eateries in Bandung that's been around for a very long time, mark a scratch in Bandung's culinary history, and is still around to serve us. Some of them are the inventor of Bandung's signature dishes, and help establish Bandung as top culinary destination. Scroll down to see the complete list of these everlasting Bandung's good food.
Jl. Braga No. 20-22, Bandung, Jawa Barat - around the corner of Jl. Naripan
Legendary. Old antique bread shop & restaurant serving original Dutch style breads & cookies, including home made ice cream and unique desserts; a must visit in Bandung. Try their marzipan and bitterballen for snacks, and their Nasi Goreng Tomat for a main course; it's very original. While not the best, they are certainly one of the most unique in the list of the Bandung's good food.
Watch out for their opening hours though, because food and shop is not the only antiques that they have; last time I checked they also applies Dutch colonial's habits of taking an afternoon break (closed from 2 to 5), closing early on the evening (around 8), and does not opens on Sundays.
Jl. Kidang Pananjung, Ir.Haji Juanda (Dago), Bandung, Jawa Barat - near Pasar Simpang Dago
Legendary. Among the earliest classy uptown restaurant in Bandung, and is still in business. Comfy and cosy open air seating; suitable for both family gathering and romantic dining.
Jl. Braga, Bandung Regency, West Java - around the corner of Jl. Veteran
Best fried rice, best choco volcano, best nanking chicken, best of the best taste without ripping off you wallet. It's close neighbour of Sumber Hidangan which are more famous for its food, instead of cakes.
Another good example of an everlasting Bandung's good food.
Jl. Hasanudin No.12 Dago, Bandung, Indonesia - in front of Borromeus Hospital
Legendary. Quality has its ups and downs over the 20+ years we know (and visits) this place, but more toward good. Cosy laid back outdoor seating, comfortable for dinner or hanging out. Oom Sonny is a good host and willing to stays accompanying visitors up until late in the evening.
Jl. Tamblong, Bandung, West Java - early after the Jl. Veteran intersection
Legendary. The only restaurant we know that includes company type (PT) as their name. Back in the 90s they're the first shop in Bandung that sold "real" Pizza. Food and cakes here are mostly good.
PT Rasa is among the pioneer provider of Bandung's good food.
Jl. Sulanjana No. 30, Bandung, Indonesia - beside ITB's administration office, not far from the Pasopati bridge's exit
Among the legendary food of Bandung that's so popular yet tasted just above average. It has consistent quality and taste though, but the real USP of this brand was Mang Oyo himself who's cheerful and entertaining; ocassionaly flips his bowl of porridge upside down just to show that it's thick enough it doesn't runs.
Setting is like a small food court where you can also find other kind of dishes. However eating area is small, hence on peak hours it's hard to get a table. Order management is a bit messy, parking attendant will get cranky if you stays there for long hours yet only pays him regular fee.
Jl. Tengku Angkasa No. 37, Bandung, Indonesia - parallel with Jl. Dipati Ukur
Legendary. The best gado-gado in Bandung; yummy, pricey, but it's worth it and portions are huge. A lot of female customers complains about the latest because it makes them hard to finish even a portion.
Jl. Kalipah Apo No. 42, Bandung, Indonesia
Very well known lotek seller; been around for ages.
Jl. Pasir Kaliki, Bandung, West Java - Outside of a military garage facility, right beside the river.
Sells goat meat's satay; try their Sate Buntel which is a grilled spicy minced goat meat, eaten with mixture of sweet soy sauce, sliced shallots, and bird eye chilis; a champion.
Jalan Stasiun Selatan, Bandung, Jawa Barat - at the parking lot of the terminal, in front of the old railway Station.
Well known for its tender and succulent goat meat's satay; have been around for ages and now has several branches.
Jl. Burangrang No. 41, Bandung, Jawa Barat - Near the intersection with Jl. Lodaya.
Among the first seller of Batagor in Bandung; manages to create a hype, and making it one of Bandung's signature dish. One of the top two choices beside Batagor Kingsley in Jl. Veteran (Bungsu), however the later seems to gain more popularity.
For the cuisine's uniqueness, it is a must visit on the list of Bandung's good food.
Jl. Veteran No. 25 Jl. Bungsu, Bandung, Jawa Barat
Top choice of Batagor in Bandung beside Batagor Riri in Burangrang. Tight packed on lunches and wekeends. Some people would swear that Kingsley's batagor tasted better than Riri's. Been in the business much longer before the Batagor trend started, selling it's precursory dish: Baso Tahu ("Siomay Bandung" nationally).
The same with Batagor Riri, it is also a must visit on the list of Bandung's good food.
Jl. Pajajaran, Bandung, West Java - The alley's entrance is across the Pajajaran Sports Hall.
Modest eatery with unique varieties of Sundanese dishes rare to find elsewhere. Located deep inside a narrow alley and it's quite hard to find a nearby parking spot. Favourite lunch spot for office workers from around. Relocated to road side at nights, with less food choices.
BSM L2, Jalan Gatot Subroto 289, Bandung, West Java
Though this is not their original branch, the restaurant chain itself is legendary. Serves Sundanes food, they're popular for having a lot of choices, original tastes, cheap prices, and good selection of sambal and lalapan. Original serving method is "geksor", which then evolves into on the table display, and finally into buffet display; mimicking what the more modern Sundanese restaurants do.
Usually there are 3 kind of sambals served: sambal terasi goreng (fried ingredients), sambal terasi mentah (darn hot!), and sambal hijau (green tomatoes); while lalab is free.
Visit them if you are interested to get the genuine taste of everlasting Bandung's good food.
Jl. Burangrang No. 42, Bandung, West Java
Legendary Bandung's good food. They sells premium quality Martabak with interesting choices for both sweet and meat varieties; cost is high at about 50K ish IDR, but it's worth it. Now sells various other food in a food court style. Ambigue connection to SF, USA.
Jl. H. Akbar No. 4 Jl. Kebon Kawung, Bandung, Jawa Barat - Just scout for the overly crowded alley entrance in front of the DAMRI's bus pool.
Legendary. Their Pisang Molen sets a new hype, new standard, and now is known as one of Bandung's signature dish/pastry. This is their original branch which located deep in a narrow alley. With such accomplishment, it's no question that they're among the list of Bandung's good food.
Jl. Taman Pramuka 187 Taman Pramuka, Bandung, Jawa Barat - about the intersection with Jl. Riau
Legendary. Hallmark of Bandung style es campur, this is the original location. "Sekoteng" is the name for red colored sagoo pearls used as one of the ingredient. A regular portion of Es Sekoteng usually consisted of sekoteng, sliced young coconut meat, avocado, and palm seed topped with crushed ice and red syrup. Usually tasted overly sweet for adults' taste buds due to the extensive use of sweet condensed milk.
Jl. Jenderal Ahmad Yani No. 149 Pasar Kosambi, Bandung, Indonesia - near the useless pedestrian overpass bridge
Legendary. Constantly selling roti bakar for 30+ years, with almost no change in types, filling choices, taste, and looks. Cheap and delicious, prepare to defend your position as there's no queue.
Try their "roti bumbu" (literally mean seasoned bread though jelly and peanut butter spreaded bread is what it mean) for a lighter and fresher treat; and "roti bakar" (roti bumbu margarine roasted over a flat pan) for a more intense and greasy treat.
Jl. Ahmad Dahlan Jl. Banteng, Bandung, Jawa Barat
I'm not sure if this is legendary, however the food is, and this place has become a popular destination for Mie Kocok lovers in Bandung.
Jl. Otto Iskandardinata Jl. Cibadak, Bandung, West Java
Despite its Javanese name, this is a long time favourite for Bandung style soto; cubed beef meat with sliced cabbage and fried soybeans in a clear soup. They also serves other styles of soto now but falls weak in taste and quality. Some branches has been opened but quality is a bit inconsistent. Stick to their the Soto Bandung only.
Jl. Naripan No. 108, Bandung, Indonesia -- at the corner of Jl. Sunda
Among legendary eateries in Bandung which are more famous to visitors from out of town rather than the majority of the locals, as they sells pork based dishes -- which is a forbidden meat to most locals' diet.
Jl. Lodaya No. 123, Bandung, Jawa Barat
Sate Anggrek El Mirah H Nawawi a.k.a. "Sate Anggrek"
Jl. RE Martadinata at Jalan Anggrek, Bandung, Jawa Barat
Classic chicken meat satay done right, with incredible low price. 20+ years of service. Opens at night.
Jalan Maulana Yusuf, Bandung, Jawa Barat
Legendary. Sells chicken and beef satay, and few other dishes. Meat chunks are considerably thicker than average, however so are their prices.
Jl. Merdeka No. 25-29 Jl. Purnawarman, Bandung, Jawa Barat
Their Soes cake used to be a signature dish of Bandung, a reminiscent of the past generation's Bandung's good food, however the hype has faded and they have no more champion. Their cakes & pastries are still good and well priced though.
Pasar Gempol Jl. Gempol Wetan, Bandung, Jawa Barat
Legendary. Their peanut sauce is nutty, sweet, rich, and quite thick. A favourite choice for ages, and quality is consistent. Portions are big; order for less rice cake if you're feeling full.
Jl. Macan no. 19, Bandung, West Java -- near the entrance from Jl. Lodaya
Legendary. Sells variety of local food including Kupat Tahu, Rujak Bebek (pounded, not "duck"), and Kolak (sweet desserts).
Are you on Foursquare? Visit the updated list here on Epicurina's page on Foursquare, and follow us for tips on good food in Bali and Indonesia. (byms)