Like any other successful group company, Pakuwon Group also has an affordable shopping mall brand. In Surabaya, the company’s shopping mall is South Surabaya’s Royal Plaza, also known as the “Mall For Everyone,” which has been in operation since 2006.
The official website notes that this “Mall For Everyone” attracts around 50,000 (or perhaps more) visitors on weekends and public holidays. Going by what I’ve seen, Food Boulevard, the dedicated space for contemporary foods, is the main reason for the large crowds.
Food Boulevard offers a range of food and beverage products priced at around 20,000-25,000 IDR (1.24-1.55 USD). These make the area attractive to locals and tourists, plus the unique meals offered, like the black-colored churros and gasoline-hosed iced tea, are fun must-try foodie experiences!
Continue reading to explore more eateries you must try in Royal Plaza Surabaya’s Food Boulevard!
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1. Mbok Enom and Mbok Ginuk
This dynamic duo is the most inventive when it comes to their names and concepts! In East Javanese culture, “Mbok Enom” is a young, curvy, and physically fit lady in her 20s-30s. Meanwhile, “Mbok Ginuk” is a woman in her productive years with the same physique but slightly heavier.
True to their names, Mbok Enom offers crispy chicken skin with jasmine rice as their flagship product. On the other hand, Mbok Ginuk specializes in jumbo-sized meals with juicy and tender proteins. Furthermore, Mbok Ginuk and Mbok Enom are neighbors.
When you pass by these outlets, the ladies in the banner pictures of each establishment will greet you with their best and most seductive smiles!
2. Eateries selling fried food
Gorengan (an Indonesian word meaning “fried foods”) is one of the must-try dishes in Royal Plaza’s Food Boulevard! Carnival and Mall Tea are two of my favorite places to try this. Recently, two Carnival outlets in Royal Plaza’s Food Boulevard have started rewarding people with more fried food selections if they pay cashless. Additionally, Mall Tea’s 8,000-IDR (0.49 USD) fried tofu is something you can’t miss.
What about the other outlets? Well, you can find C-Potatoes, DaDo Fries and Drinks, Chi-Fry, and others. You will never struggle to find a seat amidst the crowds when your hands are holding any of these gorengan products.
3. Bakwan Glenmoree and Mak Tempong
East Javanese’s Banyuwangi has two favorites, namely the dish, nasi tempong, and its Bakwan Glenmoree outlet. Nasi tempong usually has catfish, tofu, and veggies as side dishes. Like any other East Javanese food, the emphasis is on the sambal, which is called “sambal tempong” because the spiciness can feel like a slap (“tempong” refers to “tampar” or “being slapped”).
Bakwan Glenmoree’s broth and meatballs will remind us of Malang’s bakso dishes. The creations are so delicious that one bowl is never enough. Royal Plaza’s Bakwan Glenmoree is a neighbor to Mak Tempong with its nasi tempong and sayur asem (Indonesian vegetable soup). You should go to either of these places to sample Banyuwangi foods.
4. Mama Noor
As one of the most welcoming shopping malls for Muslims, it is no surprise that Royal Plaza houses a mosque within its premises. Right outside the mosque’s exit, you will find Mama Noor’s stall, where they sell delicious fried chicken.
At first glance, you might be tempted to compare Mama Noor to KFC, as both establishments offer fried chicken with rice. However, the marination process that Mama Noor employs, using aromatic spices before deep-frying the chicken, sets them apart.
The end result is a chicken dish with a delightful fragrance and rich flavor, reminiscent of the Middle East. And let’s not forget that you can always opt for their aromatic rice to complement the chicken.
5. Ladybee Taiyaki
Have you ever visited Royal Plaza to enjoy some sweet snacks? Ladybee Taiyaki is the only place that offers taiyaki with pocky, ice cream, and other additional toppings.
When passing by this establishment, I get a “ladies only” vibe. The place is decorated entirely in pink, and each taiyaki is no bigger than the size of a person’s palm. The pink indoor seats also set Royal Plaza’s Ladybee Taiyaki apart from other branches! Additionally, the hologram of a Korean oppa in front of the store is a highlight, especially for K-pop fans.
6. Lockdoun and JDR
Royal Plaza’s Food Boulevard has become so popular that it now offers fusion foods from other regions. Two food stalls, Lockdoun and JDR, specialize in serving Yogyakarta-style BBQ called angkringan. However, both food stalls put their own spin on the angkringan concept.
Lockdoun focuses on serving warm dishes and offers hot-flavored Korean-inspired angkringan tteokbokki satay. On the other hand, JDR doesn’t incorporate any Korean elements despite also having the angkringan concept. Instead, JDR takes a pioneering approach with their lumpia beef lumer, which combines kebab and burger elements. “Lumer” in Indonesian means “melting.” These unique dishes can only be enjoyed in Surabaya, so make sure to try them while they’re still hot!
7. Sunny Tea, Teh Ratu, and Kopi Jalan
I struggled to find a place to enjoy tea in Surabaya after living in Central Java for two years. Thankfully, Teh Ratu at Royal Plaza fulfilled my longing for a good cup of tea.
“Tehnya para bangsawan” (“tea of the nobles”) is Teh Ratu’s motto, setting it apart from other tea vendors. Even their 5,000-IDR (0.31-USD) Ori Tea tastes heavenly! If you prefer your tea on the sweeter side, you might also consider Sunny Tea.
Additionally, Royal Plaza has opened another local coffee stall that I have only found in this shopping mall. It is called Kopi Jalan, and their latte is a must-try!
8. Surabaya Steak House and Steak With U
Have you ever craved a delicious steak while traveling in Surabaya? Royal Plaza has two great places to enjoy steaks—Surabaya Steak House and Steak With U.
Recently, Surabaya Steak House introduced a menu similar to AUS Beef. Unlike many Indonesian food establishments that primarily serve jasmine rice as the main accompaniment, Surabaya Steak House offers mashed potatoes and vegetables alongside their steak.
I am also a fan of Steak With U’s Bestie Steak! It costs around 12,000 IDR (0.73 USD) and the double patties are perfect for dinner.
9. Steak & Geprek Assalam
“Smashed” (or “geprek” in Indonesian) things have become popular in Indonesia recently. The same also goes for Royal Plaza’s Steak & Geprek Assalam.
Do you ever feel like you can’t have enough steak to satisfy your hunger when you explore Surabaya? Have you ever wished you could enjoy a “smashed everything” meal, such as smashed chicken with rice, with the extra hot and irresistible Sundanese seblak as a side dish instead of the usual accompaniments? Well, look no further than Steak & Geprek Assalam! Once you place your order and start eating, you won’t regret it.
10. El'John and Pertehmina
El'John sells Surabaya-style sweet and savory Long John doughnuts from India as their flagship product. You can even get Long John doughnuts with ice cream at this store!
But that’s not all that makes El'John appealing. The stall is also located next to Pertehmina, a store where you can order and pay for an iced tea and fill your cup just like you would at a gas station—with a hose. “Pertehmina” is a play on the word “Pertamina,” an Indonesian state-owned gasoline company. That’s why the tea machine will remind you of things you see at a gas station.
11. Parisienne and Mavela
Royal Plaza’s reputation as the “Mall for everyone” may lead us to question whether they have delicious bake shops like their more luxurious shopping mall counterparts. However, Royal Plaza’s Food Boulevard proves itself in this regard with options like Parisienne and Mavela.
I highly recommend trying any of their chocolate-based breads and pastries. Just like any other eateries at Royal Plaza, you can expect to spend around 20,000 IDR (1.23 USD). The only exception is for the cakes and macaroons on the shelves, which resemble those you would find at Parisienne. However, this doesn’t mean that Parisienne compromises on taste! Whenever I pass by this bake shop, I always indulge in their macaroons and cakes.
12. Dapur Mama Eva and Wontonoma
What comes to mind when the words “Mama” and “Oma” (a Chinese-Indonesian way to address “grandma” or “granny”) pop up at the food stalls in front of you? Have you thought of a home-cooked meal?
Indeed, that’s why Royal Plaza’s Food Boulevard attracts locals and tourists who long for home-cooked food! With its signature klapertaart and heartwarming, authentic Manadonese food, Dapur Mama Eva is one of the food stalls I’d recommend you to visit when you step into Royal Plaza.
Wontonoma doesn’t only sell wontons. Let’s not forget the kickass spiciness, as it is located in Surabaya, the heaven for all spicy foods!
13. Jagung Joy
Jasuke (which means “jagung, susu, keju"—an Indonesian street snack made from shredded corn and cheese and drizzled with condensed milk) has been popular for a long time. Now, Royal Plaza’s Jagung Joy is ready to, once again, delight you with their jasuke products! The mozzarella variant is my favorite because the melted cheese extends to the point where it looks like instant noodles, making your mouth water.
But what if the mozzarella variant is sold out? In such cases, chocolate sprinkles and shredded cheese are my go-to toppings. Although they may be classic, they are still delicious!
14. Dear Zuppa
Zuppa soup is a dish that features a plain, oversized puff pastry covering the top of the bowl. It is a dish that is commonly served at traditional wedding ceremonies in Indonesia, including in Surabaya. After all, people always seek out this dish!
Dear Zuppa, located in Royal Plaza’s Food Boulevard, is one of the establishments where we can indulge in our favorite Zuppa soup dishes without attending a wedding ceremony. We have the option to choose from classic variants (topped with corn and diced chicken) or the chocolate-cheese variants.
Rest assured that if you have become tired of Zuppa soups, Dear Zuppa also offers equally tempting apple pies and egg tarts for sale!
15. Churros K-station
As far as I can remember, Brazilian churros have become one of the most sought-after culinary products among the youth of Surabaya for the past one or two years. Back then, the most popular churros were the traditional ones with sugar toppings.
Royal Plaza, being the most crowded and recommended food hub for locals and tourists, unsurprisingly has a food stall for churros. It can be found in Churros K-station. Although they also sell the traditional variants, I have recently been drawn to their Oreo churros variation! This one isn’t just an Oreo-filled churro; it is also a black churro, and I am certain that the black coating is made from Oreo biscuits. That’s where the fun is.
Visit Royal Plaza Surabaya to explore budget-friendly food and beverage choices
With its wide variety of heavenly fried foods, zuppa soups served at wedding ceremonies, refreshing iced teas on tap, and more, there’s no doubt that Royal Plaza’s Food Boulevard is a great spot for snacks after lunch or dinner. So, come and visit Royal Plaza Surabaya’s Food Boulevard and get ready to sample all of these mouth-watering creations from the various vendors!
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