Kelong Dinner @ Ciu Yong Seafood Restaurant [Bintan Island]

Whenever it comes to an island escapade, it is always necessary to have that fresh bite of seafood that are usually in abundance in the surrounding water. 

That's exactly what the family did in their recent trip to Bintan island. However, we have no inkling on where to satisfy the fix and have to rely on the recommendation of our driver who strongly endorsed the above kelong restaurant. 

Now, i am skeptical when it comes to such recommendation as more often than not, the establishments are likely to charge a higher price and the food would usually deviate from local taste. Oh well, nothing much i can do about it. 

At the very least, the environment did appear rustic with villagers going on with their daily life. The pace was so slow yet so peaceful and carefree. Of course, we have to understand that kampong life has its blessings and difficulties; for one, i dislike using their washrooms!

A few more pictures of the rural surrounding. 

The restaurant was surprisingly not as big as i expected, which is a plus point. For those looking for air-conditioning and comfort, give this a miss!

Live and literally kicking seafood was what we were looking for and with this came an inconvenience; the fishy smell that i know some people could not stand. 

Families should also be extremely careful with their hyperactive children as not all areas were barricaded and the wooden flooring makes it very easy for one, even an adult, to lose his/her footing. 

Okay, let's start with the food. 

Steamed Crab

The cooking style was markedly different from the norm as no Chinese wine was used and the preparation would be more similar to the steamed fish we get in Chinese weddings. Fresh it was but taste wise, i did not particularly enjoy this version.

Fish Soup

Once again, freshness was its major selling point. The soup was okay although not comparable to the delicious fish soup at Clementi hawker centre! 

Kangkong Belachan

This was one of the best i have ever had. It was not sickeningly spicy and every bite was refreshingly crunchy and juicy. 

Oats Prawns

For a deep fried prawn dish, this would definitely make the cut. Unfortunately, the full power of oats was not spectacularly displayed here; rendering this as slightly disappointing. 

Hotplate Tofu

Tomato sauce base with speckles of chilli padi, this was extremely comforting in the rainy weather; especially when you mix it with plain rice! 

Mee Goreng

For those who are unaware, mee goreng (fried noodles) in Indonesia is very different from the one Singaporeans and Malaysians are accustomed to. The noodles used are instant noodles type and you get a sweeter, not spicier, rendition. My first taste of Indonesia mie goreng was ten years ago and i love it! 

Sadly, this kelong one did not manage to bring me back to the past. It was marginally better than what i can cook at home using packets of Indomie instant noodles and lacked the flavourfulness that put it higher than a typical Malayan mee goreng. 

And for the price of more than S$10 for this plate of mee goreng, i expected much more than the stingy amount of seafood used. 

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Location

Unknown

Contact Number

0812 7752 9000

0813 8679 6866

[i think they will provide transport]

Price [S$1 = 7,700 Rupiah]

Steamed Crab -  Rp 143,000

Fish Soup - Rp 162,500

Kangkong Belachan - Rp 65,000

Oats Prawns - Rp 140,000

Hotplate Tofu - Rp 80,000

Mee Goreng - Rp 80,000

[The prices are not cheap in the local context and i would put it as generally similar to what i will pay in Singapore. The most one can argue is only the freshness of seafood you can get from dining in a kelong]

Menu

As above.