The Gado-Gado I grew up eating — memory as a review

I grew up eating Gado-Gado and have strong opinions shaped by memory. The version here triggered that recognition in the first bite — the rich and coconut-forward was right, kecap manis sweet soy was handled the way it should be.

rendang from West Sumatra is consistently voted one of the world's most delicious dishes. Growing up it was always a Padang restaurant with displayed dishes, which shaped my reference point entirely. kopi tubruk alongside it is the only way it makes sense to me. It's hard to be objective about food you have emotional history with, but objectively: this is very good.