MONKS - Kelapa Gading - FOODIRECTORY - Indonesian Food Blogger Based in Jakarta

Here we go again! A new cafe in Kelapa Gading called MONKS. Unique concept of urban Japanese cafe who served various kind of brunch menu and coffee. The first impression for this cafe was so amazing! Personally we loved how the good design they put into this cafe theme. Consists of several dinning area. The first one was in the first floor with industrial theme, there is an open bar and kitchen in this area. Pretty spacious with modern design vibe.

View from the first floor with second floor balcony view

So far the first floor has really nice view with all those equipment on the bar, let's head to the second floor.

Mural on the wall to the second floor

It looks like a good spot to have meeting isn't it?

Everyone would agree that MONKS concept was great and now we should move what do they have here. The brunch menu was quite tempting, but its already late afternoon when we were arrived and they only serve it from 7AM to 11AM, so maybe next time we should try their brunch.

From the Lunch & Dinner list we start with The Gyo-Cos (50k) as our starters. A fusion of Japanese and Western food consists of beef/pork meat, mixed veggie, avocado, sour cream and wrapped in taco skin. It should have a nice crunchy and crispy texture but its rather tough to be eaten. The pork meat was nice combined with the veggies and sour cream. Those crispiness of their taco need to be improve. A plus point for the colorful platting for this taco!

Gyo-Cos (50k)

Next dish was Shio Tama Ramen (85k), a recommendation menu by MONKS that using salted egg sauce for their creamy ramen, also topped with chicken katsu. The katsu skin was pretty thick I think, so it will make an extra effort to chew this. We both found a little bit smelly for the salted egg sauce and already ask the waiter about it, but unfortunately there wasn't further respond. For me this ramen wasn't my first choice to order.

Shio Tama Ramen (85k)

The last dish that we got is The Rising Sun (100k). Consists of three mini hamburg steak, poached eggs, french fries and mixed veggie. For me it just an okay, actually the hamburg steak was nice and well cooked. I found a good match with their tasty sauce. But I think it could be better if the poached eggs served in half-cooked and not over cooked? Or a little bit re-touch for their presentation? Because the other two has a really good presentation. What do you think?

It wasn't the best experienced we got at MONKS but I think they will get improvements in the future. We will be back to try another experience and their brunch for sure. Despite I haven't try their coffee, I expect to have a good experience for our next visit because their fancy coffee machine and fully-equipped coffee bar should get me satisfy.

[update: 30/11/2016]
About couple of weeks ago I was back to visit MONKS and tried their coffee. It was one of great experience I had in this place. The Ethiopia Kemgin from 90+ was on their list back then! It was fantastic, the aroma of Jasmine just too good, round body and also has honey-like aftertaste.