It’s been years since my last visit to Pondok Buyung but I know what I want and what I want is BRAINS! No I haven’t turned into a zombie although you’ll certainly be forgiven for thinking I have such was my first reaction when my sister introduced me to their lamb’s brain curry. I insisted that I wouldn’t eat it but watching her delight at getting the whole portion suggested to me that I was missing out so I tried a bit that she had mashed up so that it looked less brain-like and I was hooked. She was less thrilled as that meant that she had lost half of her portion.
Also if you’re missing Bali or Indonesia, and being Australian, you’ve probably been there at least once, you can reminisce here. It’s more Padang cuisine from Sumatra rather than the touristy areas of Bali. On Anzac Parade, sort of opposite Peters of Kensington, Pondok Buyung is not the most attractive of eateries but it will provide you with authentic Indonesian food and the authentic Indonesian experience. So I warn my husband before we visit that whilst it’s not gorgeous inside, the food will make up for it and cross my fingers and hope that nothing has changed.
The two women behind the counter are sweet and softly spoken. I ask if they have the brain curry and they seem a little surprised. “You would like brains as in lamb’s brains?” she says tapping the side of her head. I nod eagerly and she says regretfully “Sorry we’ve run out” and shows me the bain marie with just the curry sauce. I must look devastated because she looks at the pot boiling behind her and says to me that a new lot will be ready in 10 minutes. I’m more than happy to wait and we order drinks while we are waiting. The ginger coffee has run out but they have ginger tea ($2) and Eis Chendol ($3). Their menu hasn’t changed for years, I only know this as the phone number at the top is still missing the 9 in front of the 8 digit number. There are all sorts of Indonesian specialties and drinks (the drink’s trademarked logos faithfully reproduced on the menu).
Ginger Tea $2
We try the tea and in a word, it’s delicious. My husband, usually a man of few words, keeps telling me “Mmm it’s good” and I try it and indeed it is. Already sweetened, the hot tingly ginger literally dances on the tongue like a fizzy mineral water and warms you on the inside. It’s terribly good, so good that my husband drinks it all and immediately orders another.
Eis Chendol $3
My eis chendol is an arresting looking sight of latte coloured drink with green “worms” of rice flour droplets and is refreshingly good and strong with palm sugar and coconut milk.
They let us know that the brain curry is ready and whilst we try and order other things on the menu apparently all that is available is the Nasi Campur-a selection of 3 bain marie dishes and rice ($7.50 for 2 meat and 1 veg dish or $8 for 3 meat dishes both including free sambal and hot tea). I’m not sure when the other soups are available, perhaps they are a lunch only item and dinner is just Nasi Campur.
Nasi Campur $7.50
As my husband is not very hungry having gorged himself on white peaches, I am doing most of the eating. I choose the lamb’s brain curry, the beef rendang and the braised chili eggplant ($7.50) and I also order the potato cake and an omelet for him ($2.50 each).
Lamb’s Brain curry closeup
Digging into the lamb’s brain curry first it’s as good as I remember it to be. Supremely soft and melt in the mouth the sauce is delightfully mild and aromatic. I mash up some for my husband knowing that otherwise he won’t eat it, after all, it does still look like brain. He likes it too.
The beef rendang sauce is good too but the beef is not as meltingly soft as I’ve had it. It’s good although not very strong in lemongrass which always enhances rendang. The chili eggplant is soft and tasty and not too oily which it can sometimes be. My husband particularly enjoys this.
Omelette and potato patty $2.50 each
Trying the other plate, the potato cake is good, similar to the filling of a samosa with a slightly crispy outer. The omelet is crispy and bouncy on the teeth and would be great with the rice and curry sauce but of course I’ve managed to polish all of it off. It wasn’t really hard, rather very easy in fact to finish it all.
We observe their customers, a steady stream of them, half non indonesian and half indonesian. The indonesian customers eat in whereas the non take away their goodies. We want to cry out to them “You’re missing out on the ambience!” although I’m sure they’d only look at us incredulously.
Pondok Buyung
124 Anzac Parade
Kensington NSW 2033
Australia
T: 02 96632296
Open 7 days
Monday-Sunday (except Thursday) 10:00-20:30
Thursday 10:00-7pm
12 Comments | Add your own
I’m Indonesian and I have eaten fried cow’s brain as well. It was my childhood favourite, but not after I know how unhealthy they are.
The ginger tea, you can buy Sariwangi brand in Indonesian groceries such as White Lotus Kingsford, it is good particularly during raining season.
About Es Cendol, it’s always better home made in which all of my friends would put jackfruit into the Es Cendol as well, make it smell nicely.
Have you try Es Teler? It can be bought in Es Teler 77 restaurant in Kingsford as well.
Hi Lilia-I didn’t realise that brains were unhealthy-in what way are they no good for you?
Thanks for that-I’ll go and buy some for my husband, he was a huge fan of it.
I haven’t seen Es Teler 77 in Kingsford but I’ll look out for it. Thanks for the rec!
I love Padang…I lived in Indonesia for 10yrs and I eat it anytime I can…beef rendang is my favorite…only if the meat is tender though…I’ve never tried brain…I don’t know if I dare to
oh dear…this post has caused me to have serious asian food withdrawal symptoms. i lived in indonesia for 2 and a half years and singapore for 14 years and i just adore asian food - especially indonesian/malay dishes. nasi padang…hmmm, my fav. i love the way you can choose the dishes you want and get them put on your plate around your rice. i must admit though i never tried brain curry before…maybe i’ll try on my next trip back to asia as unfortunately we don’t have any places selling authentic indonesian food here :’(
Hi Alexandra-I found the rendang here to be a little tough, but then again I’m used to having really soft fall apart rendang!
Hi airy fairy-Definitely give brain curry a try if you ever see it. It looks like brain though so I prefer it mashed up
I was the only person I knew (until now) who would eat brains. Thank you for featuring them!
This Indonesian cuisine is so cheap (cost wise)!! I think my sister and BIL in Sydney would be stunned!
The food sounds delightful.. again, another place I’d like to visit when in Sydney next! My sister is currently in Marrickville after moving there from Cremorne..but they will be moving back to their house in Parklea by the end of the year. Is Kensington anywhere near these places?
Hi Maria-Isn’t it funny how people look at you like you’re a cannibal/zombie when you mention that you like brains
I’m so glad I have found some fellow brain lovers!
I don’t think they have changed their prices in years. It’s so cheap and good there. But I guess the decor isn’t very nice so that’s what keeps the prices low. If they were to redecorate, the prices would inevitably rise
Ooh Marrickville is great-has she tried Bay Tinh? That’s one of my favourite places. Here’s a link to it. Kensington is about 20-25 minutes away from Marrickville, perhaps 15 minutes by car from the city, about 2 suburbs away from Bondi so not far. Plus they can always go shopping at Peters of Kensington before or after (a black hole for my Credit card)
Thanks so much for that Lorraine!
Hi Maria-You’re welcome! I’d love to know what they think of it
Love your review on Pondok Buyung was in Sydney in April but didnt get to visit it, but my family did(because they arrive earlier than me).
Anyway love the commentary and the pictures, one of my dad friend’s is going to Sydney and the pictures plus address will be a great help, can i ’steal’ them? hehe
from Singapore
ooopps error it should have been dad’s friend…
Hi zaf-Thanks so much!
Of course feel free to show them 
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