Tummy Prosperity: Monokuro

With the recent hype of coffee shops in Serpong area, I saluted Monokuro for the courage to stand out differently, offering Japanese contemporary dining concept in affordable price. Most importantly, in this area which was still getting very limited touch on this particular kind of cuisine. Actually at first I heard of the name, what came to my head were the Japanese anime characters of black and white pigs (yeah Monokuro Boo), which used to be famous many years ago (guessed some time back then when hardest thing in my life was prolly Math homework or even tying shoe laces!). Nonetheless, I now figured out that Monokuro meant monochrome; well no wonder those two pigs were black and white LOL.

The resto looked way smaller than my earlier guesstimate when looking at the picture. But yeah I could call it signature Japanese kind of size, recalling those petite traditional Japanese resto I used to visit in Tokyo when I stayed there, which was just able to accommodate not more than 10 people. This one was slightly better, perhaps could afford around 12 people at max. The design was way more modern though, and if I might say not looking any Japanese.

The only thing bothered me when dining here was the kitchen located right next to the order point, which was just side by side with the dining area. As it’s a closed space, the aroma was all over the place. Well it’s nice and enjoyable when you’re there as it raised the appetite, but once you’re out, the scent’s stuck with you.

OK, let’s bring back the good vibes, skimming through the menu couldn’t get more exciting. The choice of name they made was awesome, tickling your curiosity to give every single one a try. Luckily there were these chef-recommended signs which I would always rely on every chance being a first-timer. Honestly admitting, it’s kinda disappointing to know some of the dishes were still not available, including the only dessert menu they had *deep frown*. Nevertheless, let’s take it positive, might be the available ones were indeed the must-try? ;)

Cold Brewed Tea (IDR 25k)

Before starting the feast, quenching the thirst should come first as it’s super hot and dry (felt like frying an egg on my head now!). I picked something refreshing, the so-called 20-hour brewed green tea. It tasted like cold ocha, but I loved the stronger green tea fragrance and the bolder tea flavor in my cup! Besides, it’s lovely to have something chill without ice cubes in it <3

Hot Cappuccino (IDR 30k)

This was my sister’s, but I surely took my sip! Surprisingly, this cup of morning call wasn’t bad at all despite they’re not coffee specialist. The medium-bodied coffee gave the delightful fruity hint in it, and left smooth after-taste. It’s surely something worth to try if you’re the one with high curiosity on coffee.

I Give You All of Me! (IDR 65k)

If you just had John Legend came across your mind, no guys the dish had nothing to do with him and his song. I guessed it’s referring to the chicken that gave all of itself in the bowl as you would have pan-fried chicken, chicken skin, and chicken egg! Yep, hail the chicken skin! I bet tons of you reading this feel so excited as you did belong to the group who left chicken skin to be eaten the last, just like saving the climax to the end. Saying it in ‘normal name of the dish’, it was basically similar to Chicken Oyako-don you regularly met in Japanese restaurant. So be joyul as you would get spoiled by the taste of onion and shoyu sauce, which you could blend into perfection with the runny egg yolk and steamed japanese rice. Writing about this did make me gulp and already wanting my other bowl! By the way, experience eating that gorgeous flower in top since it’s surely not mere decoration but edible beauty!

Holy Cow! Why are You So Cold (IDR 100k)

I supposedly wanna go for dessert, but sadly the menu wasn’t ready yet so I had no choice but to opt for something else. Reading the description of what I had in this dish, I was tempted to try it as I did get curious how well they could serve the wagyu. What I got there on the plate was slices of wagyu chuck roll. If you’re not familiar with the term, it’s the back part around the neck up to the fifth rib, which was famous for its juicy and tenderness since the part was quite marbled. Being cooked medium rare in apple sauce, I fell for it right at the first bite; perfect texture and impeccably infused flavor, deserving the title of slice of heaven!