eatandtreats - Indonesian Food and Travel Blogger based in Jakarta: PEMPEK BELIDA MAS INTERNATIONAL KEMAYORAN

Never did I expect that “pempek” (savory fish cake) is going to be a happening F&B trend in town at the moment. I mean, normally what’s going to be trending is something cute and pretty looking, mostly desserts, or something that’s out of the box. Recently, I have seen various modified versions of pempek like charcoal pempek, pempek carbonara, and all that.

If you are one of my international readers who still don’t have any idea of what pempek is, ok lemme enlighten you a bit XD

Pempek is a traditional dish originated from Palembang, the capital of South Sumatra in the Sumatra Island (that’s like 1,5 hour plane ride from Jakarta, not sure if this is important but hey whatever), and it has been one of my all time favorite Indonesian dishes. Pempek is generally made from Gabus fish, Tenggiri fish (mackerel) or Lopis (belida), with a mix of rice flour, water and base seasoning, and then boiled. The making process is considered a little complicated (that’s probably why I never made one at home myself), anyway Pempek can be served fresh boiled or fried, along with their signature vinegar sauce (cuko).

Actually, just earlier today I went to have lunch at Pempek Belida Mas International (Pempek BMI) at Kemayoran, North Jakarta. Pempek BMI is located precisely at Jalan Garuda, and easily noticable from the large orange banner. Nothing much going on with the design of the store, it’s just a humble place to have good food (and by food I mean their pempek). Upon entrance you’ll be “greeted” with a live kitchen where you can see the cooking process, and a few steps ahead, their good looking pempek screened for temptation inside a glass display.

Oops, they’re having a BUY 1 GET 1 PROMOTION AT THE MOMENT!

While their main specialties has to be their pempek, they also have selections of noodles, but I was tempted to try the healthy green noodle made from caisim juice (more about that later), and for their pempek, they offer the good old classics such as Pempek Lenjer, Kapal Selam, Pempek Keriting, Pempek Kulit, Adaan to the more modern and unique ones like Pempek Telur Asin (salted egg yolk pempek), Pempek Seaweed, and Pempek Mozarella with mozarella cheese tucked inside.

The price range of their pempek is IDR 20k-ish and noodle for IDR 32k, and all the pempek are made from the mix of Belida and Tenggiri fish.

The summary of what I pretty much had for lunch!

Bakmie Belida Caisim Komplit – IDR 32k

I found the texture of the pempek to generally be soft and smooth with crunchy coating (and remember not to take so long on the pictures as pempek is best served hot). I might prefer the vinegar sauce to be thicker and spicier, but still appreciate their more neutral take considering how it’s just the matter of preference, you like it spicier, you can just add in chili.

Pempek Telur Asin & Telur Asin Seaweed

So how about the Salted Egg Yolk Pempek, Pempek Mozarella and Pempek Seaweed? Generally I found them interesting, the Salted Egg Yolk must be my favorite as it brings out the most “character”, the salted egg really gave that extra signature salted egg yolk flavor, which is a cute combination of salty, savory and pop. The Pempek Mozarella gave a hint of texture and that extra cheese string made for visual and just something we genuinely love to see and excites us no matter what (hahaha), and I do want it to be more inside the pempek (I guess the merrier the better?), while the seaweed pempek didn’t give much to the flavor.

Their noodle was something something delicious. I really like the texture of the noodle, just spot on. The overall seasoning and minced chicken topping were also pretty yum with a tiny hint of sweet to the flavor. The dumplings however need to be a little firmer, but the filling was tasty.

Overall I found their pempek to be delicious and enjoyable, I can see myself coming back for more or at least ordering it via gojek. My top recommendation would be a bowl of their Caisim Noodle, Salted Egg Yolk Pempek, Pempek Mozarella, Pempek Kulit and you’re basically ready to dig in! Oh, good and affordable beauty that's why I am up for!

Oh, had a little encounter on my table! Better a sign of good luck :)