A Groupon deal and the need to kill two hours led us to dine at Kuta Satay House, a self-proclaimed "eclectic" Asian eatery on the Lower East Side. Situated on a quiet side road, Kuta cozily seats around 40 people, with a tiny outdoor space for dining al fresco when the weather permits. The space is dimly lit and adorned with traditional wooden tables and chairs- a humble yet appropriate setup.
The Jimbaran Spicy Tiger Shrimp (6.75) and the Spicy Chicken Tandoori (4.95) satays stood out to my friend Sam and me. The portions were small (2 small satays per order). The charred shrimp satays, though brushed with a mouth-watering sweet chili sauce, taste fishy and didn't justify the high price. The tender chicken satays were satisfying enough.
Our drinks were incredibly refreshing and well balanced. The "Lycheetini" (10) a cocktail of daiginjo sake, fresh lychee juice, bits of lychee, and fresh lime juice, was strong but balanced. The drink had perfect ratio of alcohol to juice, and remained true to the flavors of Indonesia. The "Kuta Cosmo" (10 - soju, lime juice, cranberry juice) was less strong and had more of a fusion flare, but delicious nonetheless.
The highlight of our dinner though, was the Spicy Duck Udon. For a reasonable $14 you receive a large bowl of fat udon noodles submerged in a spicy, rich coconut milk and curry broth. Piled on top is a heap of luscious roasted duck, topped with crispy taro chips, and garnished with Asian vegetables. The flavors of the broth were so concentrated and complex; simply reminiscing makes me salivate.
Our drinks were incredibly refreshing and well balanced. The "Lycheetini" (10) a cocktail of daiginjo sake, fresh lychee juice, bits of lychee, and fresh lime juice, was strong but balanced. The drink had perfect ratio of alcohol to juice, and remained true to the flavors of Indonesia. The "Kuta Cosmo" (10 - soju, lime juice, cranberry juice) was less strong and had more of a fusion flare, but delicious nonetheless.
The highlight of our dinner though, was the Spicy Duck Udon. For a reasonable $14 you receive a large bowl of fat udon noodles submerged in a spicy, rich coconut milk and curry broth. Piled on top is a heap of luscious roasted duck, topped with crispy taro chips, and garnished with Asian vegetables. The flavors of the broth were so concentrated and complex; simply reminiscing makes me salivate.
We left Kuta's satisfied. Our waiter was an extremely quirky and energetic man who continued to
offer friendly and responsive service throughout the night. Timely service during peak hours, inviting atmosphere, and overall delicious food made my first encounter with Indonesian cuisine and experience at Kuta delightfully memorable.
Kuta
65 Rivington St
New York, NY 10002
65 Rivington St
New York, NY 10002
Casual Southeast-Asian
