Indolicious Opens Flagship Eatery

Founded by two Indonesian besties with the help of some friends, Indolicious burst onto the culinary scene at the Windhoek City Market in 2016.

Offering a taste of Indonesian street food in its servings of chicken sate, lumpia, martabak, risoles and kerupuk (Indonesian crackers), Indolicious made its rounds of the city’s markets before opening its flagship eatery at Maerua Mall last month.

“The most popular item is currently the bakmi goreng,” says Indolicious store manager Michelle Herawan.

“The dish is made of fried noodles, scrambled eggs, vegetables and chicken, and I think that’s what people know us for from the markets.”

Indolicious’ enthusiastic fans are the reason the pop-up opened a physical store, and Herawan is thrilled that so many of them have found Indolicious at the mall.

“It’s been crazy. The demand has been high. People come in and out every day, and we’ve been selling out since our fourth day,” she says.

While Indonesian cuisine is known to have a kick, Indolicious has dialed down the heat and spice to appeal to the local market.

“Unfortunately, we don’t do most of our meals spicy, because the Namibian market is not really up for spicy,” says Herawan, who recommends the nasi rendang if you’re keen on a little heat.

In Indonesia the condiment of choice is often sweet soy sauce (kecap manis).

“Sweet soy sauce is found in almost every household in Indonesia,” says Herawan.

Another new flavour that locals may take some coaxing to get into is the Indonesian peanut sauce, which Indolicious lathers over its chicken satays.

Also intriguing is Indolicious’ selection of crackers made from tapioca and prawn or tempeh, which are a dining staple in Indonesia.

“The original name for these crackers is kerupuk,” says Herawan.

“It’s basically a salty cracker we traditionally eat with our food, but we also always have tubs of them at home just to eat in front of the TV.”

A selection of prawn and tapioca crackers, four sate ayam and two delicious beef and chicken risoles (filled breaded pancakes) are my order for the day, and, as an original market customer back in 2016, I’m glad to take a taste of Indonesia home.

“People are really intrigued by the fact that Indonesian food is something new and something they don’t find everywhere,” says Herawan.

“We try to stay as authentic to our roots as possible while bringing a different culture and tradition to the people,” she says.

Indolicious is open Monday to Friday from 09h00 to 19h00, Saturday from 09h00 to 17h00, and Sunday from 09h00 to 15h00.

Follow them on social media for more information.

– martha@namibian.com.na; Martha Mukaiwa on Twitter and Instagram; marthamukaiwa.com