Tarakan Island Food Search

appetite

TARAKAN ISLAND Food Search

This quarter we continue to take a gander at what the Tarakan Islet located off the coast of North Kalimantan has to offer. A place that we understand can be easily overlooked in favour of the rest of the Indonesian peninsula as well as their territory on the Borneo mainland. Join us for this deep dive as we check out some of the more popular eateries and cafes that make up their food scene.

GALAXY FOOD REPUBLIC (GAFORE)

Tarakan Food Guide 2 Kalimantan Translated as ‘husk’, ‘peel’, or ‘skin’, Cascara coffee is created from the dried skins of coffee cherries that are pulped and combined with the dried berries of the coffee plant after the coffee beans within have been removed. Cascara also happens to be the namesake of this modern locale that residents of this islet frequent just as often for their coffee cherry teas, as much for its bright, hip and minimal vibe. 1 •• Jalan Danau Jempang No. 38, Kampong Baru, Tarakan Tengah, Kalimantan Utara Tel: 62081-352560607 IG: @cascaratrk FB: Cascara Coffee 3

CASCARA As an avid stargazer and Science fiction nut, the restaurant that proclaimed itself as the Galaxy Food Republic is certainly a locale that would catch my attention via its name alone. With a selection of regular meals and healthier alternatives, it is their cheap & cheerful Nasi Padang series that many a visitor indulges in – after all, you know what they say, ‘When in Rome, do as the Romans do.” •• Jalan K.H. Agus Salim No. 16 RT. 08, Selumit, Kota Tarakan, Kalimantan Utara Tel: 62822-26767733 IG: @galaxyfoodrepublic FB: Galaxy Food Republic

DEWA BAGOES

As far as business combinations go this is certainly a new one for me. Your friendly neighbourhood barber shop, that doubles up as a restaurant where you can grab a drink and a meal after trimming those locks of yours. A popular locale due to a wide variety of bands on the islet that perform as part of live music sessions. Groovy! ••

Jalan Mulawarman RT 42, Karang Anyar, Tarakan Barat, Kota Tarakan, Kalimantan Utara Tel: 62089-5330507849 IG: @dewabagoesbarbercoff FB: Dewa Bagoes Barbercoff

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ROTI O

A successful local franchise with branches spread throughout all of peninsula Indonesia, this fast-food equivalent for buns and their home-branded bottled coffee, is a spot for a quick grab-and-go in addition to hanging out in should you need to take a breather. A staple on the Indonesian food and beverage scene, this is considered a household name. ••

Jalan Jend. Sudirman, Karang Anyar, Tarakan Barat, Kota Tarakan, Kalimantan Utara Tel: 628215-8667101 IG: @rotio.indonesia FB: Roti’O Indonesia

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GALLILEO

Talk about personality. From the live music bands, to the dancing waiter – 10th most recent post on IG, dated May 20th – this eatery that rocks an urban interior vibe with its rough concrete floors is popular with the youth. Punctuated with a creative use of wooden elements, in addition to the artwork on some of its walls, as well as having a rooftop space to chill at, I have no doubt that the Italian physicist and astronomer himself would enjoy hanging out here. ••

Jalan Kusuma Bangsa No. 7, Kota Tarakan, Kalimantan Utara Tel: 62852-34711138 IG: @galileocafetrk FB: Galileo Café Tarakan

KATAKITA CAFE6

Food and interiors. My favourite things to check out at any eatery. Katakita Café boasts great examples of both that are visually appealing in their uniqueness. Such as the tall mounds of greyblack, fist-sized pebbles sealed behind a thick iron mesh of which the upper half is adorned by framed posters, while the lower half is exposed. And then there’s the prawn fried rice that is stuffed into a pineapple that is sliced in half to be used as an impromptu bowl. That. Is. Really. Cool! ••

Jalan Kusuma Bangsa, Gn. Lingkas, Kota Tarakan, Kalimantan Utara Tel: 62811-5493183 FB: Katakita Cafe

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LEMAKAN SAMUDRA RESTAURANT

This eatery is well positioned indeed with its panoramic views of its surroundings should you choose to dine outdoors. Complementing the serene view of the sea, the lobster and crab dishes that are served in scaled-down wood-carved boats look amazing. When one considers its strategic positioning, it should come as no surprise that their seafood offerings are both numerous and delicious to the max. ••

Jalan Gajah Mada, Kompleks TPI, Mustika, Tarakan, Kalimantan Utara Tel: 62081-250767696 IG: @lemakansamudra FB: Lemakan Samudra

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KAKI LIMA FOOD COURT

Having undergone a facelift just 6 months ago as well as celebrating their 5th anniversary 2 months ago (at the time of this issue’s publishing), this spacious food court is a terrific place to escape the sun and test out a variety of local fare, from the numerous vendors and merchants on hand. With friendly hosts and spots to take shots for the Gram, we recommend this place for a true taste of Tarakan. ••

Jalan Kusuma Bangsa RT.31, Kota Tarakan, Kalimantan Utara Tel: 62081-2549033399 IG: @kakilimakekinian FB: KakiLima Kekinian Tarakan

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FUJI KAREOKE

The overall vibe at this karaoke-café hybrid, which makes use of plentiful wall stickers and awnings to represent and simulate foreign lands, in its own small way, is laid back and chill. It goes without saying that when travelling overseas you miss out loads if you do not partake in local meals. Having said that though, the pasta dishes such as the spaghetti in a white cream sauce is particularly enticing. When all is done and dusted, then the singing can begin in earnest. ••

Jalan Mulawarman RT.11, Tarakan Barat, Kota Tarakan, Kalimantan Tel: 628215-8667101 IG: @mr.fujikaraoke FB: Fuji (Mr Fuji Karaoke Café)

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CAFE PONDLES

It goes without saying that an islet located just off the coast of an Island is (naturally) going to have some pretty good seafood. This is one such provider of fare from the sea. From the oriental baramundi fish soup, and cuttlefish in oyster sauce, to the black tiger prawns cooked in a bumbu leaves-wrapping, and the hot and sour octopus; everything is straight out of the sea and as fresh as can be. ••

Jalan Slamet Riady RT10 No.70, Kota Tarakan, Kalimantan Utara Tel: 62085-283399800 IG: @pondles.trk FB: Pondles

RESTAURANT B21

A Chinese halal eatery with a cosy vibe and entrance-lobby, leading into a simple but spacious interior, this locale constantly receives great reviews courtesy of the chefs’ consistency.

It is one thing to be able to whip up a great dish, but to be able to do it repeatedly without fail over a long period of time earns this spot bragging rights, and they should be proud of that too. We tip our hats to the chefs. Well done. ••

Jalan WR Supratman, Karang Anyar Tarakan Barat, Kota Tarakan, Kalimantan Timur Tel: 62821-56945468 FB: Restaurant Milo B-21

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ORCHID RESTAURANT

With an outdoor food-court styled layout, this provider of local delicacies and scrumptious dishes is a favourite go-to for families and large groups of friends. The vibes here are very relaxed and atmospheric, with its fairy lights, and potted plants suspended from crisscrossing wooden beams up above, while down below patrons walk across red bricked flooring with yet more greenery around a bamboo-styled perimeter. Simply put – genuine smiles, good food, and chilled-out ambience. Perfection. ••

Jalan Wijaya Kusuma No. 14, Karang Anyar, Tarakan Barat, Kota Tarakan, Kalimantan Utara Tel: 62853-86332882 FB: Orchid