Nelayan Indonesian Restaurant
Located in a strip mall on the corner of Old Alabama and Holcomb Bridge Road just east of GA 400, Nelayan is one of only a handful of Indonesian restaurants in Atlanta (which numbers less than 5). It is odd because there’s actually a big community of Indonesians here in Atlanta. They’ve only been opened a few weeks yet you’ll see a bunch of familiar faces on a regular basis.
The place is small with only about 10 tables yet it is spotless and bright. There’s a counter that separates the kitchen which is common in Asia and used to place cooked dishes a la cafeteria style. Plus a wall of shelves by the entrance showcasing dry goods for purchase. Notable items include kropek (shrimp crackers that you fry in oil), kecap manis (sweet soy sauce), pastries, chips, and other Indonesian pantry staples.
My favorite Indonesian food is the bihun. I eat bihun in every single meal whenever I’m in their part of the world. Even for breakfast. No, make that, especially for breakfast. It is comforting and filling. Nelayan’s bihun is exactly as the ones in Indonesia. It’s made with rice noodles softened in broth then topped with tasty stir-fried chicken with mushrooms and green onions. It comes with a side of meatball soup that you can eat on its own or dump on the entire dish. Don’t worry, it not gonna make a soupy dish as the noodles will readily absorb most of the liquid. Either way, it’s great. If there’s only one dish that you need to eat at Nelayan (or Indonesia, for that matter), then this is it. It is so delicious. Period.
The Barbeque Chicken is another winner. It is marinated, boiled in its own marinade, then grilled over charcoal. It is fantastic with its sweetish-salty glaze. It comes with rice, soup, cucumber slices, and hot chili paste. This one’s a perfect size for lunch. The Chicken Satay is also a great choice. Their version is a regular entree portion (with 6 big skewers), unlike other places where they serve it as an appetizer. The chicken is grilled, then topped generously with a thick peanut sauce but not as peanuty as the Thai version. It’s served with cubes of steamed rice cake. It is important to note that you don’t eat these cakes by themselves as they are bland have no taste whatsoever. Instead, you sop them up with the peanut sauce before biting into them. It’s a great combination, believe me.
Other items which I’ve tried include the Stir-fried Vegetables with Tofu, Shrimp, and Chicken. It’s a few steps above its Chinese counterpart with it’s very flavorful sauce and crisp veggies. The Grilled Fish wrapped in banana leaves is to-die for. Unfortunately, they hardly have it and the one time they did, it was unbelievably delicious. Their Nasi Goreng Kambing (curry fried rice) is actually made of lamb instead of the customary goat. No matter, it is yummy.
Family-owned and operated Nelayan has long been added to my Asian rotation. Although a little on the expensive side, food is consistently top quality and delicious. Service is warm and friendly (like you’re family).
Insider tip:
Entrees start at less than $10 but average over $15. The Ice Cacang dessert is a must try — it’s similar to the Vietnamese version — with fruit and jelly in a sweet syrup then topped with ice.
The scoop:
Nelayan
1570 Holcomb Bridge Rd
Roswell, GA 30076
(770) 650-7775
Technorati Tags: Nelayan, Indonesian cuisine, Indonesian restaurant, Roswell, Holcomb Bridge Rd., kambing, bihun, Atlanta restaurants
