Venlo, de verborgen Indo-food parel van het zuiden

Venlo, the hidden Indo-food pearl of the south

Indonesian food? We love it in Venlo! Indonesian and Moluccan culture have enriched the taste of Venlo in recent decades. You can hear this in the music, Indo-rock used to be very popular, and you can taste it in the food. Indonesian cuisine is often found on the Venlo menu; rendang, spekkoek and satay are favourites.

People say that The Hague is the Indonesian food city of the Netherlands, with its numerous toko's, warungs and Indonesian restaurants. But in Venlo we can also be proud of our high-quality Indonesian offering. Did you know that this is not so obvious in other cities? Venlo surprises! That is why I call Venlo the hidden Indonesian food pearl of the south! As a food blogger with Indonesian roots, I list our Indonesian top picks for you.

1. Tante Toer

Jodenstraat 45, Venlo

The cozy and friendly restaurant Tante Toer is a household name in Venlo! The menu features a delicious mix of small, versatile tapas and traditional Indonesian dishes that Tante Toer is known for. You can taste all of these specialties when you order the rice table; Ajam Smoor (my favorite), satay, rendang, beans, tempeh, atjar, and kroepoek. Psst, they also have spekkoek for dessert!

2. Vain's

Jodenstraat 10, Venlo

A culinary journey to Bali without leaving Venlo... That is possible at Vain's! Enjoy a delicious cocktail and the tasty ‘plate sensations’ in a relaxed lounge atmosphere. My tip; start with ‘The Bali appetizer plank’. Then of course the ‘Taste of Bali’. Do you like spicy? Then try my fav; the ‘Tuna sambal lemongrass’; this is nice and spicy but not too much (in my opinion 😉).

3. Into Indo

Coming soon: in the Vleesstraat, Venlo

Indonesian family recipes are often not written down. Fortunately, in the family of Stacey, the chef of Into Indo, the recipes were passed on in handwritten notebooks. In the kitchen of the Mr. Jigs hotel he now cooks his Javanese family dishes with his own authentic taste. My tip; the ‘Chef Special’ with Wingko Babat (sticky coconut cake) as dessert.

4. Café de Blauw Trap

Oude Markt 9, Venlo

Indonesian cuisine does not have one palette of flavors; every island, every region, every family has its own preference. For example, Javanese is sometimes a bit sweeter than Balinese. Are you curious about Moluccan cuisine? Then you are at Rita in Café de Blauw Trap at the right address! She cooks every Thursday and Friday evening. Try her rice table à la Rita or my favorite; the Ikan Ritja Ritja with mackerel.

5. Toko Indradjaja

Veldenseweg 62A, Venlo

This list should not miss the most famous toko in Venlo; Toko Indradjaja! You can go here for exotic Asian products or to pick up Indian food. The spicy eggs Sambal Goreng Telor are their specialty. In addition to the well-known meat dishes, they have all kinds of vegetable dishes such as Sajor Lodeh. My favorite: the sweet treat Kue Lapis. A fun fact: this year Indradjaja is celebrating its 25th anniversary!

6. Beej Wim

Temporary: ‘Let’s meet at Six’ - Picardie 6, Venlo

Regular: Parade 7a, Venlo

You don't want to miss this cozy Asian food bar! At Beej Wim, the menu is not only Indonesian, because you will also find all kinds of delicious Asian snacks with influences from Malaysia, Vietnam, Japan and China. Can't choose? That's great! With the 'shared dining' principle, you can share different dishes. Tip for dessert: spekkoek or Mama Do's banana cake!

7. Bij de buren

Keizerstraat 6, Venlo

In the middle of the cozy Keizerstraatje you will find Bij de buren. Hier kun je heerlijk lunchen, met een bijzonder kopje koffie, of dineren. De diverse kaart verrast je met internationale tapas. En YES, hier heb ik twee van mijn favoriete Indische gerechten gespot! Ga op de Indische toer met de Soto Ajam, een typisch Indische kippensoep, of de ‘Spekkoek Cappuccino’; met spekkoek én spekkoeklikeur!

8. De Satebakkers

In the Netherlands, satay is the favorite of Indonesian cuisine and De Satebakkers they know exactly how to do it! Meat, fish or vegetarian, there is something for everyone, even the lesser known Saté Kambing of goat. Unfortunately, you can only order catering here. Chef Ted is now touring the Netherlands with his famous food truck. Who knows, maybe we will see De Satebakkers again at the Zomerparkfeest?!

9. In den dorstigen Haen

Markt 26, Venlo

Speaking of satay… Did you know that Indo’s pronounce satay differently than most Dutch people? Sah-tee instead of SAA-TEEE. There is also a difference in preparation between Indonesian and Dutch satay. I am very curious about the satay of de Haen. According to them they serve 'The tastiest satay in Venlo and surroundings'! Definitely worth a mention after all the good stories I've heard!

10. Chinees-Indische restaurants

Lotus Asian Cuisine - Puteanusstraat 41, Venlo

Boedha - Kaldenkerkerweg 54, Venlo

De Chinese Muur - Rijksweg 99, Velden

Another variation on Indonesian cuisine is Chinese-Indonesian cuisine. Often milder and based on Dutch taste, with portions that are a treat! If you prefer this taste, there is plenty of choice in Venlo and surroundings, such as:Boeddha en Lotus Asian Cuisine. As a former Velden resident my favorite is De Chinese Muur. I have been ordering Babi Pangang suckling pig there for years.

SELAMAT MAKAN, or: ENJOY YOUR EAT!

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