Where to eat in Tuban – Pawon Pasundan, a classic sundanese flavor

Benny and I have been living in Bali for more than 12 years now, one of our favorite cuisines is Sundanese – originally from West Java. And we are still in search of great and best restaurant and warung serving this special Indonesian food. Over the years, we have been seeing many new sundanese restaurants open in Bali, some of them can not survive. This is probably because some of the spices and ingredients used in the dishes have strange flavor for some people living in the island. Today, we’re visiting Pawon Pasundan, one of the pioneers in the island, that has been going through the test of time and still standing strong for 15 years now among other competitors. It is strategically located in Tuban area, Kuta, just right at the corner of Jl. Kediri and Jl Raya Tuban.

Pawon Pasundan is serving this special cuisine typically from West Java, called Sundanese, that has been known for long period of time with its savoury crispy fried chicken or fish, with steamed rice, Sambal (fresh chilli based sauce) and fresh raw vegetables Lalapan abundantly offered not as a garnish but really as the condiments. This is one of the big differences I love from Sundanese menus. Specially because Benny and I are big fans of ‘green stuffs’ on our plate. And Sundanese food is always generous with Lalapan!

As this place is located in the middle of the hustle and bustle Kuta, the place has been growing bigger and expanded to cater more guests, in particular those who come in big buses in big number of pax (Yes, Tourist!). No wonder the restaurants is packed during lunch and dinner time, that walk-in guests often must face disappointment as the place is full, so an advance booking is strongly advisable. But if you want to eat peacefully in more tranquil hours, try to come early for lunch at eleven am and at five or six pm for an early dinner, like we did.

It’s been years since our last visit to Pawon Pasundan, our impression when we first entered the place : hmm..it’s still haven’t changed a lot except for the new expanded wing, the interior looks slightly a little dull seeing the cushions on the japanese sitting style area Lesehan, and as Baby Geo came along with us, he obviously needed a high chair we tried to find one. There were actually the rattan one that looked very old and another one with newer model we used but was a bit dirty. Seems like not so many toddlers sit nice and quite like our Geo while dining..This is an open style dining area, so you want to make sure you put on your cardigan or jacket in the evening, or scarf just to protect yourself from the breezy wind while enjoying your meal.

Our recommendation when you go to Pawon Pasundan : try their Nasi Timbel Komplit. This is a combo of steamed rice, fried chicken, gepuk (tender fried beef meat cooked for hours with special sweet sauce), fried salty fish, clear tamarind vegetable soup, fried tofu and tempe, Sambal, Lalapan, that go along with water or tea, fresh sliced fruits, and Cin Cao cold beverage (a special shredded black jelly with sweet milk) – all for just Rp 49,000 or about US$ 5.

It’s a Feast!

And have you seen flying fish lately? Baby Geo did. With a special frying technique (I wish we were invited to see how they did this), Flying Gurame was served as one of the speciality everyone loves at Pawon Pasundan. Unlike the ordinary fried gurame where you can still feel this muddy after taste, the Kitchen Team of PP managed to eliminate the odor leaving extra crispy yet tenderness on the meat we just couldn’t stop to pinch until the last crispy tail left on the bamboo plate..oh sorry that one we ate it too 🙂

The famous Soto Bandung (clear tender meat soup with soy nuts and white radish, very..very..Bandungish!) we didn’t like it so much because they added this glass noodles makes the clear soup heavy. If you ever wonder whether the locals (read: Balinese people) would find Sundanese cuisine matched their taste and palate, a special raw vegetable dish with peanut sauce and strong Kaempferia galanga/sand ginger will prove there’s a similarity between Karedok and Tipat Cantok in terms of strong peanut sauce & garlic used. Some of their local guests affirmed this fact of flavor.

For dessert, you are obliged!…to try their Es Puter Kopyor, a coconut based traditional indonesian gelato, that’s how I called this scrumptious icy sweet delicacy. Pawon Pasundan made a delicious Es Puter, garnished with green fermented sticky rice Ketan on top. You can’t get wrong with this.  I will always come back for this sweet dessert!

Es Puter Kopyor – Indonesian gelato #foodporn

It is not very easy for people from Bandung like me who knows where to get the best Sundanese food at its origin place, and to expect the same taste bud experience will be equally indulged in the island of Bali. But if you’re looking for the classic sense of taste of West Java cuisine, you come to the right place. Pawon Pasundan serves also Vegetarian Menu either Ovo or Vegan.

Pawon Pasundan
Jl. Kediri no. 2, Tuban
Kuta – BALI
Tel : (0361) 755833
Home Delivery available, just call (0361) 8880606

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