Bandung Review : Timbel 101 : Exploring the Unique Rice of Bandung (BETA VERSION)

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Timbel 101 : Exploring the Unique Rice of Bandung

A culinary trip in Bandung will not be complete without this particular rice dishes. Meet nasi timbel, as in rice wrapped inside a banana leaf. When you open the leaf, a tempting aroma will strike you right away. What's unique about this dish is the variety of menu complementing it and most timbel stalls apply the self-service rule for us to grab them freely as we like. You can enjoy timbel with fried or grilled chicken, gepuk (seasoned fried meat), fried tofu, fried tempeh, fried salted fish, and many others. And don’t ever forget the soul mates, traditional chili sauce and lalab (fresh raw salads).

This amazing delicacy has become most favorite cuisine in every Bandung’s culinary spots. Timbel rice is like the must-have-menu on every Sundanese food stalls or restaurant. Prepare your culinary itinerary to these famous timbel spots in Bandung.

1. Istiqomah Timbel
It used to be a street vendor in front of Istiqomah Mosque at Citarum Street (not far from Riau Street and RE Martadinata Street). However, the business keeps getting up and they moved to a permanent stall still around the area. The most favorite menu here is the red rice timbel. However, you can try a new black rice timbel. For the side dish, you can grab the soft and delicious pepes (steamed dishes).

2. Bawean Timbel
Located in front of a bakery store in Bawean Street, this timbel stall offers you its white and red rice along with its savory complimentary such as fried chicken, fried tofu, fried tempeh and many others. Even though the stall has no banner to mark its spot, it is always crowded hungry timbel fans. We recommend try out timbel with ulukutek leunca (raw green beans served with oncom sauce) and fried small goldfish.

3. Mangga Timbel
Patience is important when you decide to check out the timbel of Mangga Street The place is always jam-packed, especially during lunch time. However, you can get wider range of choice for side dishes here compared to the other timbel spots. Cow’s tripe, chicken’s intestine, corn cake and even jengkol (vegetables with unique aroma) are ready invading your plate.

4. Dago Timbel
This timbel stall is located in front of a factory outlet, near Teuku Umar intersection. It also offers other delicacies such as soto and meatball soup. Want something for dessert? A glass of scrumptious fresh fruit yoghurt will be a great pick then.

Eating timbel also will bring you a new experience. A funny gag about timbel said that if people of Yogyakarta love to eat without chairs (by sitting on the floor, called lesehan), then Bandung people prefer to dine without tables as you will find in most of timbel sellers. Please also remark that it is best to drop all those conventional table manners when you are enjoying timbel, like put off the spoon and fork. So, may this timbel 101 make you the timbel master of Bandung. (AW/IF)