That Mall Called AEON

2:47 AM

Hey guys!

Today I'd like to share with you my two trips to Aeon Mall, BSD City. For me, BSD is like going to Bandung -- it's so far. It took almost 90 minutes to get there, one way -- with a small amount of traffic. If you haven't lived under a rock, you've probably heard of this Japanese chain mall called AEON. It's a relatively new complex in Indonesia, which other malls spreading in Japan and South East Asia. It's located near the new Indonesia Convention Exhibition or ICE, the new Swiss German University campus and Prasetya Mulya Campus. Just drive along the boulevard next to Giant, passed the Sinarmas World Academy and the Breeze.

At first glance, it is not designed to be a luxury mall. Compared to city malls like Pacific Place, it is more toned down. They do have some signature tenants like Uniqlo, Daiso, JYSK, soon to be opened Muji and H&M, and their Aeon Department Store. But, people come here for the food. I noticed four main food area.

First is the Food Culture and its surrounding restaurants. Food Culture is a food court selling an array of Japanese food (with some Mexican and Chinese food as well). Here are the highlights. I tried Takoyaki (you'll spot this place almost immediately) once with original sauce and once with spicy mayo. It was really delicious, quite crunchy on the outside, soft and mushy on the inside. I honestly think that this is very similar to the Takoyaki I had in Osaka, so it's as good as it gets. Beware: don't bite too fast or you'll risk burning your tongue.

The second classic Japanese snack is gyoza or pork dumplings (yes, pork). You have to eat these goodness. It is so yummy, succulent, juicy, umami, plain satisfying. Get the biggest size with the side of green tea.

The last one is the tori karaage: fried chicken chunks. I liked it because it was meaty and nothing can go wrong with fried chicken. I really prefer Japanese karaage than those Taiwanese beaten-up-thin-but-hugely-fake chicken. This one has meat!

The second most famous eatery is the famed sushi place at Aeon Supermarket. Ah yes, that cheap sushi of 3,000 - 6,000 IDR. On weekends you have to wait for more than thirty minutes. You can take any combination sushi you like but I think they limit 20 sushi per person. Are they good? Yes. Are they to die for that you have to wait for 45 minutes to pay? No. Down here is the example of cheap sushi. You understand why it's cheap right? The salmon is questionable -- no seriously it didn't taste like salmon.

36,000 IDR

Now, the expensive one looked like this:

99,000 IDR

The expensive one was actually quite good. The salmon is better in quality and there were a few variety of rolls. If I ever come back, I'd rather buy the expensive ones.