Upi Jaya

It's a colorful way to spice up your day.

In truth, the diced red chili peppers on these Indonesian "balado" dishes — like ayam goreng balado, or deep-fried spicy chicken ($7.50) are less fearsome than they appear. My go-to vegetable entrée, sayur daun singkong (below; $5.75), is nearly as lively; the fresh kale leaves, cooked in coconut milk and spices, taste like a hepped-up version of creamed spinach.

Also shown below: appetizers of pempek palembang ($6.50), broiled fish cake wrapped around egg, with vermicelli, in a hot-and-sour broth, and tahu goreng ($2.50) fried tofu accompanied by truly hot green chili peppers; gulai cumi ($7.50), tender curried squid cooked in a wonderful spicy coconut gravy; two "nasi rames" plates, with rice and vegetables, featuring opor ayam ($7), chicken marinated with spices and coconut milk, and dendeng balado ($7.50), (too) crispy sliced beef; and kopi susu ($1.75), unfiltered Indonesian coffee with condensed milk.

Upi Jaya
76-04 Woodside Ave., Elmhurst, Queens
718-458-1807
Closed Monday

Comments

[beebe]

I love Upi. I've eaten there twice upon the recommendation of EIT.