We had the opportunity to have a friendly chat with Surya, the founder of Bara Food, a restaurant that brings authentic Indonesian flavors to Singapore. Surya’s vision for Bara Food is rooted in his passion for cooking and his desire to introduce the lesser-known aspects of Indonesian cuisine to the local market.
Bara Food was recently awarded a Diamond at the prestigious HalalTrip Gastronomy Awards this year. The Diamond Award is the pinnacle of the HalalTrip Gastronomy Awards, a distinguished award presented to extraordinary Halal dining establishments. celebrating culinary excellence.
HalalTrip Gastronomy Awards aim to recognize and promote exceptional halal dining establishments. The first HalalTrip Gastronomy Awards was held in Singapore on June 5 during a Gala Dinner. With a commitment to showcasing the diversity and richness of halal cuisine, the awards bring attention to establishments that excel in providing memorable dining experiences.
Check out the Winners Guide to find the full list of winners!
Surya has lived in Singapore for over 20 years, and during that time, he noticed a lack of authentic Indonesian food in the country.
"In Singapore, people are more familiar with Ayam Penyet and Nasi Padang, but Indonesian cuisine has so much more to offer," Surya shared. This realization led him to establish Bara Food, with a focus on introducing Singaporeans to traditional dishes like Nasi Bakar—a fragrant grilled rice dish wrapped in banana leaves.
"Our specialty is grilled rice infused with herbs and spices, served with a variety of accompaniments. It’s a unique offering in Singapore," he explained.
When it came to designing the menu, Surya’s personal preferences played a large role. He shared that if he doesn’t love the food himself, he doesn’t see the point in serving it to others.
"We try to bring something new to the Singaporean market, but everything we do is rooted in authenticity. We want to stay true to the traditional methods of cooking Indonesian food," he said.
Surya emphasized that Bara Food’s menu is not limited to one region of Indonesia. They incorporate dishes from various regions like Bali, Jakarta, Java, and Padang, offering a wide range of flavors and styles.
"It’s about mixing and matching the best of Indonesia’s diverse culinary heritage and presenting it in a way that appeals to Singaporeans," he explained.
Bara Food stands out for its commitment to authenticity. Unlike many restaurants that opt for convenience by using pre-made sauces or instant mixes, everything at Bara Food is made from scratch.
"We don’t use instant bumbu (spice mixes). Everything is prepared according to traditional recipes passed down through generations," Surya emphasized.
This dedication to quality has been appreciated by customers, who have praised Bara Food for its authentic flavors.
"It’s not easy to cook everything from scratch, but we believe that the quality speaks for itself. We take the harder route because it results in better flavor and a more genuine experience," Surya said.
Some of Bara Food’s standout dishes include their unique take on fried chicken, which is infused with spices rather than simply smashed as in typical Ayam Penyet.
"Our fried chicken is packed with flavor, and we also offer a grilled chicken option and the Sate Lilit from Bali, which is quite rare to find in Singapore," Surya shared.
Other popular dishes include the Empal Rica Rica (a tender, marinated beef dish), Pomfret, Gado-Gado (a traditional Indonesian salad with homemade peanut sauce), and the much-loved Soto Betawi, a hearty, authentic soup from Jakarta.
"All our dishes are made with care and attention to detail, from grinding the peanuts for the Gado-Gado to preparing our own chili sauces," Surya explained.
Surya’s love for cooking started early, but it took him a while to gather the courage to leave his steady job and start Bara Food.
"I’ve always enjoyed cooking and eating, and that passion eventually led me to open Bara Food. It wasn’t an easy decision, but looking back, I think it was the right one," Surya said.
His inspiration comes from the street vendors of Indonesia, the nenek (grandmothers) and kakek (grandfathers), who cook on the streets of places like Jogja and Bali.
"The best food is often found on the street, not in restaurants. These unsung culinary legends cook with recipes passed down through generations. They are my true inspiration," Surya shared.
Looking ahead, Surya hopes to expand Bara Food beyond Singapore and into neighboring countries.
"We want to grow and introduce the authentic way of Indonesian cooking to more people. Indonesian cuisine is rich and diverse, and we want to share that with the world," he said.
Surya also highlighted the importance of appealing to a broader market.
"A lot of Indonesian restaurants focus only on Indonesian expats, but good food should be for everyone. We want Singaporeans and people from all backgrounds to enjoy our food," he explained.
Outside of his work at Bara Food, Surya describes himself as a regular person. He spends most of his time with his family and has no formal background in the F&B industry.
"I worked in media design before starting Bara. It was a big leap, but life is full of unexpected turns," he reflected.
Surya’s philosophy is simple: "Nothing comes easy in life. You have to work hard for what you want." He hopes to pass this mindset on to his children, encouraging them to put in the effort to achieve their dreams.
Bara Food Outlets
Eastpoint Mall
3 simei street 6 #01-12, Singapore 528833
Simei MRT
Icon Village
16 enggor street #01 -10, Singapore 079717
Tanjong Pagar MRT
(Exit A)
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Surya’s journey with Bara Food is a testament to his passion for Indonesian cuisine and his determination to bring authentic flavors to Singapore. Despite the challenges of the F&B industry, Surya remains committed to offering high-quality, traditional dishes.
"We’re thankful for the support from our customers and for the recognition at the HalalTrip Gastronomy Awards. It’s something to be proud of, and it motivates us to keep going," Surya said. If you haven’t tried Bara Food yet, it’s worth a visit to experience the true taste of Indonesia in Singapore.
The HalalTrip Gastronomy Awards not only recognize excellence in Halal dining experiences but also celebrate the vibrant culinary scene in Singapore. From innovative concepts to traditional favorites, each award recipient represents the pinnacle of culinary artistry and dedication to delivering exceptional dining experiences.
As we reflect on the remarkable talents and establishments honored in 2024, like Bara Food, we eagerly anticipate the next chapter of culinary innovation. We invite you, our valued readers and fellow food enthusiasts, to be a part of shaping the future of Halal gastronomy in Singapore.
Share your voice by nominating your favorite restaurants and chefs for the 2025 HalalTrip Gastronomy Awards.
Nominate now and be a part of this exciting journey towards culinary greatness!
