Basque Cuisines, Txoko Jakarta

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Last weekend, quite rarely I had free time without having to visit events or restaurants. But even so, I still use my time to go to restaurants that have never been to before to get a new dining experience. This time I visited Txoko in the South Jakarta area which is actually not a new restaurant.

I've always planned to come here, but since the pandemic has been going on and I decided not too much going somewhere if not necessary, so this is the first time I have come to Txoko Jakarta. From the outside, it looks like a typical casual restaurant around South Jakarta, but once inside, I was quite amazed by the interior, decor, colors that adorn the whole restaurant does feel pleasant.

The open kitchen area is quite large where we can see the activities of the chefs working to prepare dishes. On the inside, there is a bar with bright sun and summer vibes. This restaurant got the 2nd floor has a different touch of the interior, it is plainer but still gives a summer atmosphere in the Basque.

The dish served is not a general Spanish dish even though we know that this Basque community is located more precisely in the West Pyrenees part, the border between France & Spain. Overall, maybe we will still be familiar with several Spanish cuisines such as paella, various seafood and etc.

But after trying a few dishes, I quite experience a taste that is different from the typical Spanish restaurant in Jakarta. Before starting the first menu, we were served by the amuse bouche, clam with a sauce made of green tomato and jalapeno. Here some menu that I ordered:

1. Gilda, The King of Pintxos

This is one of the most popular tapas in the Basque, low-calories food made from olives, pickles, marinated anchovies mixed with olive oil and it is tastes like a skewer of pickles. This dish has been invented 60 years ago. The sour, fresh and strong flavor is unique, but I guess some Indonesian might not like the taste. But interesting to try.

2. Escargots, Idiazabal Sauce in Puff Pastry

This one is also quite unusual. We often see escargot served with olive oil, herbs, or black vinegar. At here, the escargot uses a thick and creamy Idiazabal cheese sauce with a bright color. Then served on a crunchy puff pastry and coral tuile on top. The texture of the escargot is cooked just right, there are also mushrooms which has a similar texture. It is a new experience for me, this dish is very interesting.

3. Seaweed & Squid Mellow Rice

A unique super dish where you will be served with a bright green dish made of seaweed. Like risotto, rice cooked in cream until it thickens and then served with squid. Very unique taste and the aroma of seaweed and squid with the right texture. Unfortunately,  a very strong salty taste almost dominates the whole taste so that every bite of the salty taste sticks to the palate.

4. Idiazabal Cheesecake

No less interesting, we know that cheesecake is a pretty common dessert in Europe. But there is something unique here that the typical Idiazabal cheese uses goat's milk which has a stronger aroma than cow's milk cheese. Cheese lovers, of course, will really like this dessert with a quite strong smell of cheese. But if you are not a cheese fan, maybe you should choose another dessert.

At the end after dessert, they returned to serving petit four, which has become the standard of European casual or fine dining. The overall experience here is quite memorable, almost all the menus I tried are offer a Basque-style food sensation which is quite different from Spain in general. You will taste unique dishes and Txoko can be an attractive option for seafood lovers with a large selection of seafood menus.

The price is classified as high-end, according to the location of South Jakarta. The casual concept with imported ingredients I guess, as well as the chef who comes from Basque certainly an expert and understands the dishes completely.

Txoko Jakarta

Jl. Suryo No.6, Kby Baru, South Jakarta

Tel: +62 2708 2215