While Chef Erwin Tjahyadi was working at the posh Hotel Bel-Air he found himself craving something different … very different. Enter the Komodo taco truck, a platform for his true culinary calling. This nomadic meals-on-wheels concept introduced the world to his unique blend of French, East Asian and Pacific Islander cuisine.
Since then, two Komodo brick-and-mortars have opened: Komodo Pico on Pico/Robertson and Komodo Venice on the Venice and Santa Monica border. Komodo’s mashups include: the glorious Phoritto, a burrito filled with the makings of Vietnamese soup; the Moco, a taco stuffed with gravy, white rice, hamburger meat and fried egg—his interpretation of a Hawaiian plate lunch; and the epic Fish n’ Grapes taco—deep-fried Alaskan cod topped with concord grapes and roasted almonds.
On Zagat’s 2014 30 Under 30 list, Erwin is taking the LA food scene by the tail. Not only is he constantly creating new bombass Asian-American-Mexican fusion, he’s also representing his own Indonesian heritage. In fact, the name 'Komodo' not only refers to the Komodo dragon, that crazy, cool-looking lizard, but also to the Indonesian island where his father was born. At Komodo, he showcases the Island Nation’s diverse flavors, like the Java taco of Indonesian pork rendang braised in coconut milk.
So, who better to guide us to the best Indonesian food in Los Angeles—even if means winding up in a San Gabriel Valley church parking lot on the hunt for Gado-Gado salad or perfectly charbroiled pork satay.
Borneo Kalimantan Cuisine
Alhambra
Erwin Tjahyadi: This place has excellent traditional Kalimantan-Indonesian style cuisine. I’m a huge fan of their oxtail soup, bakso soup and their homemade egg noodle dish with Chinese sausage and hakka toppings.
Image by Instagram user @sharleenangelica
Merry's House of Chicken
Covina
ET: Indonesian is famous for Ayam Kremes, a crispy fried chicken dish which is dipped in a rice flour batter and served with delicious sides. This one is well worth the wait and drive out to Covina.
Image by Instagram user @windermere_crystal
Indo Kitchen
Alhambra
ET: Indo Kitchen is a small hole-in-the-wall, mom-and-pop shop with amazing spicy rice plates and traditional Indonesian desserts like Es Campur and Es Cendol.
Image by Instagram user @mscasem86
Simpang Asia
Culver City
ET: A fresh modern Indonesian diner and mart, complete with an extensive selection of delicious small bites, imported spices, sauces and other goods from Indonesia. Simpang Asia has an amazing variety of dishes that reflect the diversity of Indonesia's rich culinary offerings. Be sure to get the Lontong Cap Gomek and Nasi Kuning.
Image by Instagram user @raline_shah
Janty Noodle
West Covina
ET: Janty Noodle is famous for their Mie Pangsit, one of my favorite Indonesian noodle and dumpling soups. This joint can be found in an unassuming food court.
Image by Instagram user @radjisurya
Catholic Church Parking Lots
San Gabriel Valley
ET: A number of churches in the San Gabriel Valley (i.e. St. Stephen's Church in Alhambra) hold Indonesian specific services and after the mass break, there is usually a food court open to the public. This is generally where some of my favorite Indonesian dishes can be found. They are authentic and prepared with love by individual vendors. I love getting Indonesian Pork Satay charbroiled to perfection, topped with delicious peanut sauce, Nasi Padang–a traditional dish from Sumatra, full of spices and bold flavors, Gado Gado–a sweet and savory peanut based salad, and Lemper–sticky rice bites with spiced chicken.
