Indocafe

I'm taking a blogging shortcut today, because I've visited Indocafe before. It's one of my favorite restaurants in all of Seattle.

Indocafe serves Indonesian food (surprise). Indonesian sauces are spicy-sweet -- for example, the soy sauce is thicker and sweeter than soy sauce found in many other restaurants. There's also an emphasis on peanuts, chili sauce and tempeh. Tempeh is fermented tofu, and one of those items you should never, ever eat in a hippie's house or in a raw-foods restaurant, even if they swear it's "delicious." Because it will not be. Here, it is.

The restaurant is in a double-tier nondescript strip mall, tucked just off Highway 99. If there's anything to complain about, it's that the parking lot is a nightmare in miniature. Don't even try finding a spot after 5 p.m. (parking is usually available on side-streets).

Inside, it's all dark tables and bamboo. The waiters and waitresses are unfailingly nice. Diners range from groups of college guys to families to couples on dates.

Coffee is served in a traditional single-serve French Press, with sweetened milk already added to the bottom of the cup. Behind the cup in the photo above, you'll see Indocafe's corn fritters. I took this photo immediately because in about two minutes, they would've been in my stomach. Another great appetizer? The deep-fried tempeh (Tempeh Mendoan). Does not taste like bad vegan food, I promise.

Midday is a great time to go due to the lunch specials and parking lot spaces. For lunch the other day, I had this Gado-Gado, a salad of spinach, bean sprouts and tofu topped with sweet-spicy peanut sauce. With a side of white rice, a corn fritter and a spicy egg coated in chili sauce. I love these spicy eggs but they're too hot for most little kids, should you find yourself dining with one.

OK, this doesn't look so very appetizing but it is, I promise. Bakmi Goreng Jawa -- Javanese-style sweet panfried egg noodles with tofu and carrot and other vegetables. This is at a level 2 from 1-5, and it was a bit hot, but not eye-wateringly so. 

With this meal, I ordered mostly tofu, but meat here is great as well -- particularly anything involving pork.

Indocafe
Address: 13754 Aurora Ave N, Seattle, WA 98133
Phone: (206) 361-0699
Web: http://www.myindocafe.com/

Hours: Monday 11:30 am – 9:00 pm
            Tuesday 11:30 am – 9:00 pm
            Wednesday 11:30 am – 9:00 pm
            Thursday 11:30 am – 9:00 pm
            Friday 11:30 am – 10:00 pm
            Saturday 11:30 am – 10:00 pm
            Sunday 11:30 am – 9:00 pm