A Hidden Japanese Gem Called "Sumiya"
Who would have thought that in STC (Senayan Trade Center) there is an actual Japanese restaurant worth eating? Hidden among the bustle of electronics & air soft-gun shops at the Ground Floor, this is exactly where Sumiya is located. Sumiya is said to be an authentic Japanese restaurant and I’ve heard some really good praises on it in social media. But just how ‘authentic’ is authentic? I went there on some dinner time to find out.
When I first walked in and entered the restaurant, it immediately didn’t feel like I’m in STC, at all. Heck, it doesn’t even feel like I’m in Jakarta. Everywhere I look, there were more Japanese men than our locals. Beneath the dimly lit and busy waiter shouting & fast movements I could almost hear the chit-chatty buzz in pure Japanese language in entire room. I immediately took conclusion that lots of Japanese expatriates love to hang out here after office hours. That also means, I should expect that the damage cost will also be higher than your regular Japanese restaurant chain. Prepare around IDR 150-200k per person because, if you’re like me, I don’t think you can hold back on ordering again and again after they send out the 1st menu simply because they’re.… too beautiful.
Like all Japanese meal course, we started off with Sashimi and Salads.
SPECIALTY: SUMIBI YAKI
Now here comes the part where everything just makes sense. Sumiya, the restaurant itself is being named after ‘Sumi’, Japanese charcoal. Which is why the main featured menus in here are basically everything grilled. One of the most popular menu category is Sumibi Yaki (literally means ‘Charcoal Grilled’). You can choose between 16 different types of chicken yakitori at around IDR 15k each, from its thigh, skin, liver, gizzard, heart, hip, wing, neck, breast and its variation. For grilled beef menu, the option is limited to only 4 menu: tongue, striploin, and beef rolls in enoki/asparagus.
DRINKS
SO, THOUGHTS?
There were only 3 of us at that time and the total damage cost for this was around IDR 240k each. I know, it went way out of our budget but it's just hard not to look at their menu over and over again. Looking at something like this written, how can you not be intrigued to try?
Tako Tofu Sappari Salad (Octopus & Bean Curd Salad)
Kari Kari Gobo Mushidori Salad (Steamed chicken & burdock salad)
Tako Okra Ume Okakane (Octopus and okra with plum sauce)
Shime Saba (Vinegared mackerel)
Et cetera. I will certainly make a come back visit! And maybe you should too ;) Or, better, let's go there together to minimize the total damage cost, lol. I'd say it will take minimum party of 4 people just so that we can all order lots of food & share them - that, if you don't mind. Actually they also have a special Lunch menu sets for IDR 89k++ and that would certainly be cheaper, but you won't get the same atmosphere as in dinner time. Let me know if you're interested, I'd be a happy companion :p
Catch ya later!
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Sumiya Japanese Restaurant
STC Senayan IT Mall Grould Floor 128
Jl. Asia Afrika Pintu IX Gelora Senayan Jakarta 10270
Tel: 57931826