I found the restaurant clean. While being modern, Bonga-Bonga Lapo commemorates the traditional Batak tradition with ulos (Batak-shaped woven fabric) hanging from the ceiling. There are also wicker chandeliers hanging high above.
Being modern and all, the interior doesn’t quite resemble traditional Lapo, usually filled with blasting sound from the live music of high-pitched musicians, as well as from the conversation – Bataknese known being loud spoken and such. But when you target a bigger audience, you can’t be too specific, I guess.
Everything is Set in High Altitude at This Restaurant, Excluding The Price
Branding itself as a “Halal Lapo”, Bonga-Bonga prides Chicken Saksang as its main course. The pig blood curd, which is the main ingredient in Saksang, is changed with chicken liver. And of course there is no pork since the pork is replaced with chicken.
Chicken Saksang uses rooster meats only and it is exceptionally big in one portion, even for someone as voracious as I am.
In some cases, the meat of normal rooster has a tendency to become coarse and tough. However, in Bonga-Bonga, the meat is soft and juicy. The dish also uses a plethora of exotic spices of Bataknese, such as andaliman. It is the spice that you can likely find in Pasar Senen Jakarta, where Bataknese will find themselves at home instantly.
Which is why Bonga-Bonga’s chicken Saksang has that same taste with the original Saksang.
Chicken Saksang doubles the pleasure with 3 different sambals: sambal tuk-tuk (candlenut, onion, and cayenne pepper), sambal teri andaliman (andaliman, anchovies, pineapple, and torch ginger), and Kebas Sambal (bird’ eye chilli)
Arsik Carp is also one of the main courses in this restaurant. The original Arsik doesn’t use halal ingredients, that’s why Bonga-bonga’s Arsik recipe is faithful to to the original.
The mixture of sour and salty taste contribute to its fresh aftertaste, completed with yellowish broth made of andaliman and torch ginger (kecombrang).
The prices is reasonable considering the portion. Chicken Saksang or Arsik Carp costs 30,000 rupiahs or approx. 2 USD. (Reporter: Lena and Sera B)
