Suku

Suku is an Indonesian eatery that digs way deeper than nasi goreng, instead serving up regional dishes from across the Indonesian archipelago. It was founded by couple Ria Zulkarnaen and Nick Mailenzun, who moved to Perth in 2013 and set about recreating the food they grew up eating in Bali.

At Suku, menu standouts might include the nasi Bali, a celebration of chicken that includes hand-pulled chicken (ayam sisit), crisp chicken skin and the island’s famous grilled skewers of chicken mince and lemongrass, known as satay lilit; gado-gado, Java’s famous vegetable and peanut sauce dish; and deep-fried tempeh.

Drinks-wise, expect to find Balinese beer (Bintang, naturally) and arak, the island’s potent white spirit. Soda gembira (“happy soda” – a combination of sparkling water, condensed milk and syrup) is also available, along with a selection of sweets, including a sweet black-rice pudding.

Designed in conjunction with design studio Work.Shop.Dine, Suku is an airy, colourful space. Small tables made with wood salvaged from former Javanese fishing boats surround the semi-open kitchen. A larger six-person communal table is on hand for larger parties, while bar seats are pitched at solo diners. Though the look of the space is unquestionably modern, the feel is very reminiscent of a warung – a small Indonesian neighbourhood eatery.