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MELBOURNE | Hidden at the rear of Tivoli Arcade is small restaurant Salero Kito Padang. Onwners Afdal Utama and Tika Kartini’s focus at the restaurant is on Padang cuisine, which originates from West Sumatra, Indonesia.
The simple space has only a few tables and seats with a glass shielded bain-marie on one side displaying several of the delicious options on offer. Don’t let the fact that the food is sitting in a bain-marie turn you off – the kitchen is constantly buzzing and the food is all very fresh.
What’s on offer varies on the day, but the favourites, like nasi goering, chicken curry, and beef rendang, are always on the menu. The favourites are very good, in particular the beef rendang which is one of the best versions of the dish we’ve tried. The tender beef comes out almost black, coated with a coconut milk, coriander seed, lemongrass and turmeric sauce that’s reduced down to a thick, paste-like consistency. It’s wonderfully fragrant and intense.
If you’re willing to venture out of your comfort zone, you’ll be treated to even more goodness. Slow cooked beef and beef tendon curry is a saucy, vibrant yellow delight, with that wonderful soft, chewy texture that slow cooked tendon has. The keripik paru (crispy beef lung) is something else that should be tried – it’s sort of like a crispy beef jerky cracker that any meat eater will enjoy. There’s also things like lamb brain curry and ox tongue satay sticks for those looking to try something new and delicious.
Beyond what’s in the bain-marie, you’ll find a small list of Salero Kito’s cook-to-order dishes like sop buntut (ox tail soup), and soto padang, a beef broth soup with fried mashed potatoes, mung bean noodles and dendeng (crispy beef). Wash it all down with some Teh Kotak, an iced jasmine tea drink that’s popular in Indonesia.
If all of that gets you excited, there’s even better news – three items from the bain-marie, a generous portion of rice, and sambal will set you back a mere $13.00. It makes a meal at Salero Kito one of the best value options in Melbourne.
Salero Kito Padang
Shop 18, Tivoli Arcade
235-251 Bourke Street
Melbourne
Victoria 3000
Australia
Telephone: (03) 9639 7268
E-mail: n/a
Website
Open
Mon – Sat: 11:30am to 8:00pm
Sun: 11:30am to 4:30pm