CILOK: SUBURBAN LOVE FOR AN AMATEUR SUBURBAN GEEK.

you might think I'm outta my mind or being mentally ill, but, one thing for sure, I was just, like, err, you know, having this kind of relatively permanent disorder of the mind. Oh no, not again.

cilok is an abbreviation of aCI dicoLOK. Originated from West Java, now it ubiquitously and pervasively spreads out all over Java, or may be , Indonesia. It is made from starch dough. The super-duper-stitious notion told us that the name Cilok came out as a result of the main ingredient of the food itself, which is starch, and the way we eat it up; using a kind of bamboo skewer.

there are like hundreds kinds of cilok. I have seen and tasted "Cilok Asmara" in ITC BSD. it's just another cilok, but the seller has successfully over-persuaded the target market and over-exaggerate the name of the product. well, uhm, lemme see.. we have Fried Cilok, Grilled Cilok, Cilok Bandung, Filled Cilok, etc. My 'honeybite' is Cilok Goreng. I once tasted Cilok Goreng for the very first time when I was in Bandung. I was about to go to Dipati Ukur to eat Surabi Bandung, but apparently I took the wrong way and had to stay for hours waiting for the angkots. It was a gloomy Satnite *HOW GREAT THOU ART* I waited for you, LOL, not you, I mean, the angkots. This lovely tummy couldn't be compromised, so at a glimpse I stopped at a Fried Cilok stall in front of PVJ. It was just unforgettable nighty nite with the Fried Cilok......... that I realized I have just fallen in love, AGAIN, A-FRIGGING-GAIN.. Thanks to cilok brother-sisterhood splattered all around Java. I could eat you up like a chocolate chunk. Eat you up. You'll dig it. Truly, madly, deeply. Like for eternity. 

Here's a secretively open recipe for Cilok Goreng Bandung. The best cilok I've been craving forever like ever. 

I N G R E D I E N T S
For The Cilok:

• 200 grams starch
• 200 grams wheat
• 2 garlic cloves
• 1 teaspoon broth powder
• 1/4 teaspoon pepper
• 2 chopped chive stalks
• 400 ml water, for the dough
• 1 teaspoon salt

For the Peanut Sauce :

• 150 grams grind roasted peanut
• 1 teaspoon sugar
• 1 teaspoon vinegar
• salt
• warm water to thin out the sauce

D I R E C T I O N S
Peanut Sauce :

• Mix the ingredients all together.
• Whisk well until the sugar has dissolved and the peanuts are thoroughly distributed.
• Cook for 3-4 mins in medium heat until it gets thicken.
• add some chilies if you like it

The ULTIMATE FRIED CILOK :

1. First thing first, combine the starch, wheat, chopped chives, and garlic. Mix evenly until they're perfectly combined. 
2. Boil 400 ml water, add some salt, broth powder, and pepper.
3. Pour the boiled broth into the flour mixture little by little. Stir slowly until the dough dull enough to be mold.
4. Take a tablespoon of the dough, mold it with yer bare hands. It's up to you to mold the dough into whatever shape. If I may suggest, make a Saturn-look-a-like cilok, which has a ring on it. No, kidding. 
5. Boil your teeny tiny pieces of heaven, no, I mean, cilok, into a saucepan of boiled water. It will be floating to the surface if it's well-done cooked. Drain the well-done cooked cilok for about 2 mins before you steam it.
6. Soon after you finished steaming the ciloks, you can directly deep fried them, or just served them with splashes of peanut sauce. YUM!

CILOK

~CHEWY, DEWY, YUMMY~

It's simply massive, addictive, and explosive.

This photo was taken back in 2010. Where? You know where? The Mud Lake of Lapindo - Sidoarjo, East Java. 

BONUS

ABANG CILOK

Problem Faced by Urban Colony

A highly recommended thesis title for those who undergo such kind of dramatic condition that makes it difficult to make progress or to achieve the objective of your study. It's a dignified demeanor towards your faithfully steadfast allegiance of "CILOK". (((if you know what I mean))) LOL.

holymoly. I have to wait at least until next month to have this piece of heavenly sweet cherry blossom rendezvous. :")

Traveling 101: Trippy Trip to Bandoengsche

Been drowning here and there by the piles of students' werk, finally I could step into this undeniably sweet escapism.

 

Couple weeks ago, I got the chance to visit the absobloodylootely indiest city in Indonesia, BANDOENGSCHE (((so far, AFAIK, IMHO))) I've been waiting like forever for those days to come. Me and my truly amazing friends @Antoniatztztz and @cicuph have planned to stay in Bandung for 3 days and two nights. T'was a some-sorta backpacker trip, so we have sorted places we'd like to pay a brief visit without paying too much. hahaha. Since @cicuph lives in Bandung, we took an advantage of getting her as a for-free tour guide *fingers crossed~

First thing we did before we sailed there was finding a hostel or motel to stay, at affordable price, of course.We ended up at Samudra Hotel. It's located on Cihampelas 274. We spent IDR 340k for 3 days 2 nights. The room's quite neat and clean for an un-air-conditionered one (Bandung is already freezing cold in the morning and at night). The rate included 2 breakfast set for 2 days. We were cautious openly distrustful and unwilling to confide what hotel we stayed in. Why? Because we saw lotsa young love birds came in back and forth. I was kinda (((kepo))) so I took a long fixed look at their ring fingers, intending to see a ring, but there's nothing. So the telly apparently got it right. Moral degradation. Present generation. It might be you, might be me. Blimey.

The place to sleep: CHECK.

How to get there  : RANDOM.

Up until the night before we off to Bandung, we haven't booked the travel agent who supposed to bring us there. Oh crap. We dashed into the nearest travel agent and no more seats left. great. Out of nowhere, I got an omen. The only hope. We finally reached the other travel agent. Thank goodness there were two seats left, but they were at the very back and would go at the very late schedule, we said no probs and nailed it. This cost us to pay more, tho. But that's fine, the thing was, how to get these ass off to Bandung! YEA.

Day #1

it took us 3 hours from BSD to Bandung. we arrived there around 7 pm. bloody starving. after met up with @cicuph, @Antoniatztztz and I decided to find something to eat, checked in at the hotel, and walked to Ciwalk, which is supposed to be walked around. 

Day #2

We woke up quite early that day. @omuniuum was the scheduled place to drop by. It was a small shop sells various books, records from indie artist and singers, and also indie bands' merchs. @Antoniatztztz was the one who urged us to go there. She said she wanted to buy some CDs for her partner. What kinda partner? Don't ask me any further. It's absurd. Strikingly absurd. LOL.

Actually, I didn't have any plan to buy something here, but the stuffs are SPARKLES. So I decided to buy a @bottlesmoker tees for IDR 125k. 

BEEN THERE, DONE THAT, GOT THE T-SHIRT (LITERALLY) 

GIGA LOL!

Done with the shopping thingy, we took the angkot to Braga. As we all know, Bandung is widely-known as the place where amounts of Dutch colonial architectural buildings began and flourished; particularly the tropical Art Deco architectural style. Braga street's so astounding and overwhelmingly impressive. 

The deprivation for food seemingly came and stroke back, so we hurried ourselves to Warung Misbar. An eating place which fosters a warm or friendly and informal atmosphere designated in an oldschool-like movie theater. It supplies us traditional Sundanese food, tastes quite good and at a good price too. We were welcomed by gigantic vintage movie posters at the facade and inside, right in the middle, there's a giant screen played vintage movies and surrounded by giant posters of legendary actors and actresses.

IT'S TIME TO HAVE OUR FAITH RECHARGED. :))

@ St. Laurentius Church, Sukajadi.

Next destination was Paris Van Java mall. I didn't take many pictures in here. It's just normal TOFF-Class shopping avenue. I stepped into this popular shoe-store, tried the boots and took off, hahaha.

We waited for another angkot to take us to Dipatiukur street but it didn't appear for long. Walking is not an option but we were starving to death. we were about to have a munch of the famous and scrumptious Surabi Bandung. it is indeed extremely pleasing to the sense of taste.

We have another appointment with another friend, Surya, or Mas Sur, I recalled. After having our mouth and tummy fully loaded, we headed to Gasibu.

On our way back home to the hotel, we encounter an unpleasant moment in which we were involved in an unexpectedly car accident. Our car hit another car and Mas Sur had to pay for the damage. Uh I'm terribly sorry for that...

Day #3
Gasibu in the morning. Everyone's there. I couldn't barely breathe. Unfortunately I didn't make it. I didn't go to the most popular flea market around Indonesia, GEDEBAGE :((((((((
But I got this, for only IDR 30k.

Batagor KirCon was our lunch menu that day. IDR 15k you got 3 jumbo batagor. Magnifying.

The last destination...
Cimuncang, where @cicuph resides.

I think I need to get another inclination to retreat from unpleasant realities through diversion or fantasy for the sake of my mental's health. LOL.