Delivery review: Tempo Doeloe’s takeaway meal
During this crazy coronavirus period, restaurants are closed, so we’re happily eating out at home. Fortunately, many new and special delivery and takeaway restaurants are joining the scene. And we’re going to test them for you. That way, we can keep eating well while supporting the hospitality industry. Today: Tempo Doeloe in Amsterdam.
Tempo Doeloe, the good old days. The restaurant’s name seems so fitting right now. The days when we could still enjoy eating out. One of the best Indonesian restaurants in the city is located on Utrechtsestraat in Amsterdam. A little classic, but they cook wonderfully here. Authentic Indonesian cuisine, baboe-style. Fortunately, they also deliver, because I suddenly feel like having an old-fashioned Dutch rijsttafel. But since that would be a bit excessive for one person, I opt for a nasi rames special.
The delivery
In no time at all, the delivery driver is standing on the doorstep. As if the order had already been ready. A little too enthusiastically, I open the front door and the bag tumbles onto the ground. ‘Sorry, I had hung it on the door and was just taking a photo. That’s how it has to be done these days.’ Hard evidence that the meal has been delivered. He picks the bag up from the ground and hands it to me. He looks embarrassed. ‘It doesn’t matter, it’s Indonesian,’ I reassure him. He nods understandingly. ‘Wait a moment, I’ll send you the photo.’ On my phone, I see the bag hanging from my front door.
Mini rijsttafel
No collection box in which all the different dishes have been dumped on top of the rice, as you see at most Indonesian delivery restaurants, consequently soaking the rice in different sauces and flavours. No, three black containers with different compartments. One compartment is conspicuously empty, but the other seven are well filled. Daging smoor, daging rendang padang, lamb with sprigs of coriander, white rice with sateh, chicken livers, green beans. Despite the fall, everything still looks appetising.
How does it taste?
When I transfer the dishes into bowls, they look even better. The aroma of sambal and coconut rises from the coffee table. Every dish tastes exceptionally good. From subtly seasoned to seriously pedis. I taste the individual ingredients, bite by bite. Tears come to my eyes. Not because some of the dishes are a little pedis, but because they are so delicious.
The texture, the spices, everything is perfect. It would have been so nice to share this with someone, but on the other hand, it’s even better to be able to eat everything myself, down to the very last grain. When the last container is empty, I close my eyes. Ach kassian, it’s over, I sing softly.
Can Tempo Doeloe join us at the table more often?
Three times yes! I eat Indonesian food quite often and am unfortunately frequently disappointed. Not this time! You get a lot of delicious food for a reasonable price. The delivery menu is quite extensive, with many excellent main courses costing around 25 euros. If you can’t choose, get a rijsttafel for 28 or 36 euros. A nasi rames special costs €19.50, and you get a truly generous portion. A regular rames costs just €12.50, by the way, for people with smaller appetites. Order via Uber Eats. Do it!
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