Coba Coba

Coba Coba
156 Yishun Street 11 #01-106

https://www.cobacoba.sg/

Nasi Padang Sambal Sotong (SGD $7.40)

Try, Try Nasi Ambeng

(Ratings: On a scale of 1 to 10, with 1 = Worst and 10 = Best)
Overall: 8
Ambience & Setting: 6
Food & Beverage: 9
Service: 7
Value for Money: 8
Spent about SGD $11 per person.

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Established since January 2015 by Timothy Yun, Coba Coba is well-known for being a vintage-themed, halal-certified casual eatery specialising in Nasi Ambeng and Nasi Padang. With friendly staff, the high turnover of dishes means you're assured of a fresh hot meal throughout the day, served in large and hearty portions.

Ambience at Coba Coba is casual and open. The eatery has neatly spaced wooden furniture that is decently comfortable for quick meals, and the openess enables it to be bright and airy. There is a retro vintage industrial home decor here, from old-school kitchen equipment to the aged wooden shelves. Part hipster cafe, part coffee shop vibe.

Service at Coba Coba is largely self-service, with ordering, payment, and collection over the counter. That said, staff are friendly and willing to engage in conversation, and they display good product knowledge of the dishes. I note staff clean up efficiently when diners have finished eating. They're usually kept busy with a constant stream of delivery orders, which is prepped and packed quickly.

Food at Coba Coba is halal-certified Indonesian cuisine, focused on Nasi Padang or Nasi Ambeng. With a selection of over 15 dishes that change daily, there's sufficient reason for repeat visits. Quality is consistently good. Portions are large for individuals, and should be shared. Prices are comparable to other such stalls, budget about SGD $11 per person for a meal here.

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Coba Coba Signage

Coba Coba Exterior

Coba Coba Interior

Coba Coba Menu

Coba Coba Delivery Van

The Bandung (SGD $1.80) is nicely balanced, with a delicate floral milky sweet flavour that is so refreshing. Great when paired with spicy foods.

Bandung (SGD $1.80)

A refreshing glass of Iced Lemon Tea (SGD $1.80), fruity zesty sour sweet tangy in flavour, with a slice of lemon to cap it off.

Iced Lemon Tea (SGD $1.80)

Their signature Nasi Ambeng Solo Beef Rendang (SGD $10.80) is a large, filling meal. The base is fluffy soft white rice with grainy sweet flavour, topped with grainy serunding / fried coconut flakes which lends earthy nutty sweet flavour. The sambal ikan bilis kacang / fried anchovies and peanuts in sambal have a crisp crunchy texture, with a bold salty nutty savoury spicy flavour. The Javanese urap / grated coconut salad features grainy dessicated coconut over crunchy bean sprouts, resulting in a bright earthy vegetal sweet flavour. The sambal goreng has firm tempeh / fried fermented soybean cake, spongy tofu beancurd cubes, and juicy string beans, in a mild coconut curry and chili gravy, resulting in deep vegetal sweet savoury spice nutty flavours.

The slow cooked beef rending is tender and yields easily, with robust meaty savoury spice flavours that are so enticing, making you crave more. The terung balado or brinjal / aubergine / eggplant with sambal is tender soft, with sharp spicy vegetal sweet flavours that pack a fiery kick from the chili, and slowly lingers on the palate. Finally, the Indonesian begedil / spiced potato patty is soft with deep savoury starchy salty sweet flavour. Highly recommended!

Nasi Ambeng Solo Beef Rendang (SGD $10.80)

Nasi Ambeng Solo Beef Rendang

Nasi Ambeng Solo Beef Rendang

The Nasi Padang Sambal Sotong (SGD $7.40) is the Indonesian or Malaysian version of Economic Rice (Malay) / Nasi Padang. The base is fluffy soft white rice with grainy sweet flavour, topped with a mild coconut curry gravy which lends earthy nutty sweet savoury flavour. The sambal goreng petai has firm tempeh / fried fermented soybean cake, spongy tofu beancurd cubes, and crunchy petai / bitter beans / stink beans, in a fiery chili gravy, resulting in sharp vegetal bitter sweet spice nutty flavours. The orak arik buncis / stir-fried string beans with egg has a crunchy juicy soft texture, with bright vegetal eggy sweet flavour. The sambal sotong has crunchy slippery squid pieces, and the sharp spicy sweet savoury chili gravy lends a depth of taste. The fried egg is soft with eggy sweet flavour. Finally, the Indonesian begedil / spiced potato patty is soft with deep savoury starchy salty sweet flavour. Highly recommended!

Nasi Padang Sambal Sotong (SGD $7.40)

Nasi Padang Sambal Sotong

Nasi Padang Sambal Sotong

The Nasi Padang Beef Rendang (SGD $6.40) is excellent. The base is fluffy soft white rice with grainy sweet flavour. The sambal goreng has firm tempeh / fried fermented soybean cake, spongy tofu beancurd cubes, and juicy string beans, in a mild coconut curry and chili gravy, resulting in deep vegetal sweet savoury spice nutty flavours. The slow cooked beef rending is tender and yields easily, with robust meaty savoury spice flavours that are so enticing, making you crave more. The sambal kang kong / water spinach leaves are crunchy and juicy, with a bold vegetal earthy bitter sweet spicy flavour. The fried egg is soft with eggy sweet flavour. So yummy, especially with the fiery sambal belachan on the side which packs a fierce fiery punch that builds and burns. Good!