Java

The Verdict

Auckland’s BYO scene has a bold new addition. It’s bright, it’s beautifully decorated, and it’s bursting with flavourful dishes. Simply put, it’s time to grab a bottle and pop by Java (formerly It's Java). 

One of Auckland's most beloved Indonesian restaurants has brand new digs on Karangahape Road so follow the red neon lights and enter an eclectic, pastel pink and pistachio world devoted to epic Indonesian dishes. Trust us when we say you’re in for a treat here: the size and flavour of each dish are all but rivalled by the prettiness of the presentation. But what do you expect from the legends who are also behind Ponsonby hotspot, Bali Nights? 

With a long, lengthy menu full of mains, it’s guaranteed that choosing just one dish won’t be an easy feat. The solution? A sharing plate or three—of which Java has plenty. The Javanese Rijsttafel makes for a great starting point. Meaning “rice table” and harking back to an Indo-Dutch influence, this pretty little (well, huge) platter comes with bowl after bowl of nibbles and portions of Indonesian favourites: beef rendang, fried boiled eggs with sambal rice, fried tempe & tofu, deliciously savoury potato fritters, colourful crackers, teri kacang (think a savoury trail-mix of crispy tiny fish and salty peanuts), greenery and a mountain of yellow turmeric rice. 

A must-try sharing plate is the Ikan Koreng Sambal Matah: a whole market fish, slathered with a savoury coating and served freshly fried. You won’t have to dig through any chippie-shop-style-OTT batter here though: the fish is coated in a light, thin, yet ridiculously crispy coating not seen anywhere else and comes served with tempe, tofu, veggies and rice. Trust us when we say that seafood naysayers could be easily converted with this one. 

Duck lovers and fried food fiends, there’s a little (big) something for you here too. The Penyet Platter, where fried duck sits alongside incredibly crispy fried beef ribs and chicken in one delectable sambal-penyet-sauce-infused dish. Pair this with other Indonesian sharing classics like their Beef Rendang, Fritter Platter, Gado Gado plate of tofu, tempe and fried potatoes with trimmings (all very generous in terms of serving size) and you’ve got yourself a belt-notch-loosening kind of feast.

Prefer to stick to your own dish? We don’t blame you—and neither does the team at Java who’ve dedicated a whole menu page’s worth to mains. Fried noodle dishes, fried rice, soups, fried veggie mixes—they’re all there, catering to vegans, vegetarians and meat-eaters alike in the form of classics and lesser-known street eats. 

Of course, no mention of Indonesian cuisine is complete without the holy grail of starters: satay chicken, AKA Sate Lilit Bali. Staying true to their bold flavours, these babies come gently minced and wrapped around the skewers with a light fry. The kicker? They’re infused through and through with kaffir lime. 

A bottle of your choosing might be your liquid companion when on a BYO night here—but please do treat yourself to a glance over the drinks list at least once. Nope, you won’t find boozy creations but you will find some liquid creations like no other in Auckland. There’s a syrupy Wedang Jahe ginger tea to warm the soul or a Lychee iced tea for a sweet hit. 

One drink you can’t miss if you’ve got a sweet tooth (and its bright, popping, pink colour will see to that) is the Es Soda Gembira: a soda water creation with a layer of coco pandan syrup and condensed milk (or its coconut counterpart) that’s yours to whirr up and watch the colour change for a spot of dinnertime entertainment. 

Finally, don't leave before trying a dessert or two. The fluffy Indonesian pancakes AKA Martabak Manis is made with condensed milk and stuffed with chocolate and sesame seeds will be gone in the blink of an eye, as will the pretty as a picture Es Cendol featuring green rice-flour jelly droplets and sweet ripe jackfruit with coconut milk and palm sugar syrup.

It’s safe to say that Java is seriously bringing the BYO experience and Karangahape Road’s street eats into a bright new era. Round up your friends, grab a bottle—you know what to do.

Image credit: Eric Jang