Hello Hivers... I'm back again in this @HiveFood community. This time I will share my experience of having lunch at a Noodle Bar.
That afternoon I decided to have lunch at a place that had long intrigued me, namely Sadar Jiwo Noodle Bar, located on Jalan Cik Ditiro, Medan. This noodle bar has an attraction that is not only from its menu, but also from the atmosphere of the room which is so artistic and full of retro-pop culture touches.
🍴 Complete Chicken Noodles with Rich Flavor
I ordered Complete Chicken Noodles as the main menu. Served in a large bowl, its appearance is very appetizing. The noodles are chewy, combined with sweet-savory soy sauce chicken topping, as well as additional green mustard greens, half a boiled egg, boiled dumplings, and crispy fried wonton crackers.
The taste of the noodles was just right: savory, not too salty, with the chicken flavor seeping right through. The chicken pieces were tender, and the boiled dumplings were filled with juicy meat. The wonton crackers were crispy and added a pleasant contrast in texture to each bite.
I also tried adding dried chili powder and sesame seeds—the spiciness was intense, but not so much that it overpowered the flavor of the noodles and chicken.
🥟 Juicy and Creamy Grilled Gyoza
As a complement, I ordered a portion of grilled gyoza served with mayo sauce and sprinkled with nori and sesame seeds. The skin was crispy on the outside but still soft on the bottom, and the minced meat filling was juicy. The mayo sauce gave a creamy flavor that blended perfectly with the savory gyoza.
🥤 Legendary Drink: Badak
For the drink, I chose the legendary soda drink from Medan, Badak. Served in a classic glass bottle and accompanied by ice cubes in a separate glass, the refreshing sensation of this soda was immediately felt. It tastes similar to root beer, with a distinctive herbal aroma and a light sweet taste. Perfect for neutralizing the savory taste of food.
🪑 Unique and Artsy Retro Atmosphere
What makes the dining experience at Sadar Jiwo even more enjoyable is its interior design. The walls are full of old movie posters, photos of legendary figures, and music albums from the 80s-90s. Some of the figures seen include Bruce Lee, Michael Jordan, even Pulp Fiction and Star Wars posters adorn the walls.
Long wooden tables and benches combined with transparent plastic chairs, adding to the relaxed and casual impression. There are also old vinyl and CD racks that further strengthen the retro feel. On the other hand, I saw a large poster that said "Sadar Jiwo" with a purple fingerprint design that is the icon of this place.
The mini coffee bar at the front also looks aesthetic, decorated with various small toys such as Rubik and miniature characters that make the atmosphere feel homey and personal.
For noodle lovers, retro lovers, or those who want to try legendary drinks like Badak, this place is worth a visit. A comprehensive menu, authentic flavors, and a very Instagrammable atmosphere make Sadar Jiwo Noodle Bar one of the city’s favorite lunch spots.