Bandung - Food & Layer Cakes

Eating in Bandung can be a bit of a challange as it can be a little different for some of us. So, if you do not favour Malay type dishes, then there is always fast food, Chinese food and also cafes available throughout Bandung. If you do like trying local dishes, then try the Sundanese dishes there which are very famous. Similar to Malay style dishes, the prices are quite reasonable. Another dish which is popular in Bandung is the Gurame Fish which I did not try.


This was at a restaurant in the Dago Shopping area. We took the package for 4 which was about Rp.270,000 (RM 86.00)


Quite interesting dishes they have. But watch the fried chicken as they serve it with the head intact. The chickens there are seem to be really small in size, like our spring chicken here and are usually deep fried with a goreng pisang type batter.


Nasi Timbel at the hotel. One of the popular Sundanese rice dishes. The rice is in the leaf. Rp.57,000 (RM 18.20). Of course, they are much cheaper outside at the local eating places. Our driver took us to a famous Sundanese restaurant in the city but on seeing the spread there, some of us chickened out so we settled for Dunkin Doughnuts just next door.


But if you are adventurous, then go for it! The local hawker stalls are just about ever nook and corner there. You simply cannot miss them. Just have the 'Poh Cha Yin' on stand by if you have a weak stomach.


And everyone who is local eats there.


Lined up in rows at most times for choices! You can actually have a full meal at these stalls. From starters right up to deserts in just one row.


Desert anyone? I tried their Durian Ice Cream, well just a spoon of it. Actually very nice and about Rp.3,000.


More choices. I swear that there must be at least 1,367,821 stalls like these in Bandung. Maybe more. Who knows huh?


If you are not too keen on the stalls, then there is a nice food court in town. Located in the Hyper Square area (Next to the Hilton), they have all the local foods available but in a much cleaner environment. About 50+ stalls are available. A live acoustic band was also entertaining diners and locals there.


I saw a lot of local stalls, Chinese food, even western food here. You choose your dish, get the coupon and table marker and pay at a counter. From there, place the marker on your table and they will bring the food to you.


I tried some Chinese-Indo noodle dish. Tasted a bit like Hakka Mee in Malaysia but slightly different in a nice way. Char Siew = Fail. Siew Yoke = Not too bad. I also noticed that there were a lot of Indonesian Chinese locals that patron the place. Must be due to the variety of Chinese dishes available.

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The Famous Indonesian Layer Cake (Kek or Kuih Lapis)

While most of you already know that the best Layer Cakes come from Indonesia, it was much talked about on other people's blogs that Bandung has some awesome Layer Cakes there. So, trying it was on top of the list. Kartikasari is one of the famous bakeries in Bandung. Specialising in layer cakes, they do not come cheap at all! Be warned that a brick of layer cake will set you back Rp.140,000 (RM 44.80) For a full sized cake, Rp440,000 (RM 140.00) and per slice, Rp.8,000 (RM 2.50)



The KartikaSari bakery. A popular stop for all Jakarta tourist. For the record, the common locals do not shop here. It is sort of a luxury bakery.


They claim to be only in Bandung, no outlets outside of Bandung, so one can only get them in Bandung. Good gimmick to keep people coming back to Bandung.


The famous layer cake.


A selection of pastries.


The crowd in the outlet. Every outlet we pass, you would see this kind of crown in there. People seem to be buying 3 or 4 layer cakes per person.


Choices are amazing. Pastries, nonya cakes, ice cream and all types of cakes are available here. Other items include Indonesian biscuits and keropok.


Another outlet which sells the layer cakes is called Mayasari. Not that I saw a lot of them in town, but the one at the airport before you leave was pretty stocked up. Last minute shoppers would tend to use up the remaining rupiahs there.




Layer cakes available in slices.


Layer cakes in rolls. Priced at Rp.85,000 (RM 27.00) per roll.



Another chain of bakeries in Bandung called Holland Bakery. They are so prominent, you can easily identify them by the windmills on top of the building.


Durian Ice Cream. Need I say more.