Paris Van Java is the name of the café – take a guess on what is served.
Unfortunately, French cuisine is the wrong answer.
Instead, Indonesian food is the name of the game here.
It is not only the fact that “Java” references the island in Indonesia.
The city of Bandung in Indonesia is also known as “Parijs van Java”, or “The Paris of Java”, a name originating from its colonial period. Therefore, the name of the café is born.
That is just a little tidbit before we start.
The mind behind Paris Van Java is an Indonesian home cook, who decided to transform her personal recipes to bring authentic Indonesian fare to the public.
I found the café on the first floor of Lucky Plaza.
It sported a sleek look that was more similar to a coffee-based hipster café than a Southeast Asian-specialty spot, owing to its curved central counter that had an espresso machine.
Quite unlike other of the more casual eateries here, and so is the price-point.
As the café is still (literally) sparkling new, the menu is rather minimal at the moment.
More is to come, but what the kitchen can cook up is currently limited to some noodles and fried rice dishes, together with drinks and desserts.
From the wok comes Nasi Goreng Cabe Ijo ($12.80), Nasi Goreng Kampung ($13.80), or Nasi Goreng Kambing ($13.80).
In particular, the Nasi Goreng Cabe Ijo, being a green chili fried rice dish with shredded chicken, is homely and comes with a sunny-side up, keropok, and achar.
I suspect those on the carnivorous side will want the Nasi Goreng Kampung ($13.80), as it is served with a whole chicken thigh – crispy on the outer layer and was rather succulent.
There was wok-hei in the rice dish, flavourful, just slightly on the greasy side but not over.
While I think the price is warranted with the pleasant setting, sincere service and all, not every Lucky Plaza diner would be really to pay that amount (was $16.39 after taxes) considering the options around.
If not, the noodles can be rather tantalising.
There is just a Baso Yamien Manis ($13.80) or Baso Yamien Asin ($13.80), the former being noodles tossed with sweet and spicy kecap manis, and the latter being noodles tossed with savoury soy sauce.
I enjoyed the choice of mee pok as the noodles, which definitely brings something new to the table.
They also come with a bowl of bakso, which are meatballs sitting in a nice and light broth. The Bakso is available on its own, with 5 pieces at $8.80.
A range of caffeinated drinks are available.
Prices at Paris Van Java are definitely on the higher side for what it serves, but it is still a place with a bunch of potential.
Paris Van Java
Lucky Plaza #01-45, 304 Orchard Road, Singapore 238863
Opening Hours: 11am – 8:30pm (Mon – Sun)
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* Written by Daniel Ang and Dean Ang. Follow @DanielFoodDiary on Facebook, Instagram and Youtube for more food news, food videos and travel highlights. DFD paid for food reviewed unless otherwise stated.
