It’s officially “Hot August Night” season, and we’ll just start this review by saying that the 6ix could definitely use more Indonesian spots.   To that end, we’re seriously  grateful that Ona Noodle has recently opened in our #EastChinatownTO ‘hood (where Simon’s Wok used to be).

On our last visit, an Indonesian family visiting from L.A. had made this sleepy hole-in-the-wall their first meal in town.  They were staying at Hotel X, which made their trip across town all the more impressive.  They confirmed our suspicion that Ona’s cooking tastes just like home.

As some of our blog readers may know by now, Rendang Beef is one of our favourite dishes in the whole wide world.  We’ve been chasing it for close to two decades since first introduced on a hazy week in Amsterdam.  Ona’s Padang Rice comes with a generous serving, along with Egg Balado, Orak Arik (cabbage), Coconut Rice and Green-Chillies.

We honestly can’t get enough to this one!!!  The Rendang is stewed dry, giving the beef a real nice chew.  And the cabbage is crunchy for texture.  There are three different spices at play on the heat factor here.  As a Rendang lover, we have arrived!

There are quite a few noodle dishes adorning Ona’s menu.  Our favourite has to be her Bihun Goreng Medan… the most famous of street foods in North Sumatra.

 Medium-gauge noodles get tossed around with Shrimp, BBQ Pork, Mushroom, Kangkung, Beans Sprouts, Chillies and Egg.  Everything’s folded into an umami bomb of soy sauce & belecan (shrimp paste) and gets cooked at high heat until reduced to a char.  The Wok Hei permeates each bite.

If something with broth is more your speed, don’t sleep on their Soto Betawi.  It’s the best thing we’ve eaten this year.  We don’t throw that moniker around too often, but we’re still dreaming about a recent bowl.

This Jakarta-style Beef Soup is super hearty.  Thick coconut milk-broth, heavy on the chili & turmeric, drowns chewy cuts of brisket (often offal in Jakarta), potatoes, tomatoes, green onions & crispy shallots.  Ona serves it with a sidecar of coconut rice that we’re told to drop into the bowl when only the broth remains.  That way, you always leave her table with a full belly.