Kooks Cafe is an Indonesian breakfast joint in the inner city that just so happens to be deeply David Bowie themed.
We started with a masala chai helix ($9.90), which is basically this roti based croissant like structure. It is quite large, covered in cinnamon and powdered sugar, and filled with a smattering of masala chai spices that are ultimately a bit sweet but not too sweet. Multi-layered, multi-sticky, and quite delicious.
We enjoyed also the beef rendang wrap ($21.45) which was a bit expensive for its size. It was composed of quite a crispy kind of pastry with a nice filling of beef rendang, inclusive of flavour and beefy chew. Despite this strong showing, factors against its favour however included a quite wet and drippy bottom (a bit of leakage), and its overall price to size ratio.
The most breakfasty item we got was the roti telur ($13.20), which we didn’t love. The best way that I could describe it to someone who couldn’t see images would be if you could imagine a gozleme like structure filled with egg, a slight amount of extremely mild chilli and some onion, and an overall lack of flavour.
The pastry was quite soft and unexciting, kind of felt like what you would get if you steamed a pancake, though my partner won’t say that she regret getting it as she really wanted to try some of Kook’s sambal, and this was her window to it. To me, it really kind of felt like something you could make in the microwave or in the steamer at home, and I wouldn’t get it again.
Kafe Kooks
63 Mountain St, Ultimo NSW 2007
0480 336 869
One reply on “Kafe Kooks – Ultimo NSW Restaurant Review”
Thanks for coming in and for the honest write-up. Really glad the masala chai helix landed, it’s one of our favourites to make.
On the roti telur, it’s a simple egg roti that’s really made to be dipped in curry gravy, which is where most of the flavour comes from. Next time I’d point you to our roti canai: two pieces of roti with vegetable and chicken curry gravies and our house-made sambal. It’s the full meal on one plate. And if you like heat, grab some of our chilli jam. It’s got a proper kick.
On the cuisine question, we’re honestly a roti house first. Google doesn’t have a “roti restaurant” category, so we end up filed under whatever’s closest. Our long-term mission is to get enough people calling us a roti restaurant that Google finally makes one. Feel free to add your blog to the campaign. 😄 (And you got the Bowie part spot on!)
Hope to see you both back soon.
– Andrew, Duke and the Kooks Krew