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2013-09-09
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Working in Orchard might really take a toll on the wallet. That is, unless you know where to go. My search for cheap eats in Orchard brought me to Midpoint Orchard, a mall I had no reason to visit for the past decade of trawling Orchard Road. A sprightly coloured neon sign with a coloured interior sets Jtown Cafe apart from other tenants in the basement of the shopping centre. It is a modest affair, simple tables and stools and an open kitchen concept, nothing fancy. Stepping into the restaura
Working in Orchard might really take a toll on the wallet. That is, unless you know where to go. My search for cheap eats in Orchard brought me to Midpoint Orchard, a mall I had no reason to visit for the past decade of trawling Orchard Road.
A sprightly coloured neon sign with a coloured interior sets Jtown Cafe apart from other tenants in the basement of the shopping centre. It is a modest affair, simple tables and stools and an open kitchen concept, nothing fancy.
Stepping into the restaurant, my party was promptly received by warm Indonesian hospitality. We were shown to our seats and recommended the set lunch right away.
Bingo.
For just $5.50 - $5.90, you can choose from 5 main courses, and receive a complimentary beef ball soup and homemade green tea.
I had the Black Pepper Chicken Set and it was good! No sign of peppery undertones but the chicken was still amply savoury with its sauce, and there was rice and some greens blanched and served on the side. It just really packed the warmth of homecooked food with comely flavours.
The free bowl of beef balls served in chicken stock would certainly give the main dish a run for it's money as well. Chewy and fragrant. Yum! Some might complain that the soup would be a tad on the saltier side - a problem easier resolved by the homemade green tea, which was light and refreshing without the overpowering sweetness from it's canned counterparts.
Then if you are looking for a dessert to round up your meal (like I did), give the martabaks a shot. Martabaks are Indonesian sweet pancakes, served hot and sprinkled with sugar. It's very much a sweet tooth dish, but even till now I'm not quite sure what to make of hot durian in my dessert. You will need to find out for yourself for that.
Total Cost for Lunch
$5.90 + $3.90 = $9.80
That's a full meal with drink and dessert to boot! It certainly does not get more value-for-money than this.
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