Simpang Asia

For those of us who can't afford to go to Indonesia this summer, let me point your attention to Simpang Asia.  Sitting on the corner of National and Motor, this Culver City delight is no stranger to locals.  Sharing a space with its Indonesian market, Simpang Asia serves up native dishes to American foreigners.  

Influenced by Indian, Arabic, Chinese, and European traders, Indonesia's food is representative of its diverse cultural identity. Although the dishes are small enough to be eaten alone, the best way to enjoy this Southeast Asian treasure is to order several dishes and share among friends. Rather than explain these ancestral dishes that culminate from hundreds of years of history, I will let the pictures and description do the talking.

Chicken Satay ($6.50)

marinated chicken skewers 

Veggie Stir-Fry ($6.50)

Nasi Goreng Jawa ($6.95)

spicy fried rice and noodles

Rendang ($6.50)

dried beef curry

Ikan Goreng ($6.50)

fried whole tilapia

Had author Elizabeth Gilbert come to Simpang Asia before writing "Eat. Pray. Love", the book probably would have been renamed to "Eat. Pray. Eat." The dishes are extremely affordable given the quality of the food - substituting as a more viable option than Rock Sugar in Century City. Embrace a trip to the Indonesian archipelago by visiting Simpang Asia today!