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Restaurant

Pondok Nasi Bakar

179-181 Clarendon St, South Melbourne VIC 3205, Australia

Recommended by 5 people

Updated

Find Pondok Nasi Bakar

179-181 Clarendon St, South Melbourne VIC 3205, Australia

Directions ↗
+61 468 047 004
HoursMonday: 11:30 AM – 9:00 PM Tuesday: 11:30 AM – 9:00 PM Wednesday: Closed Thursday: 11:30 AM – 9:00 PM Friday: 11:30 AM – 9:00 PM Saturday: 11:30 AM – 9:00 PM Sunday: 11:30 AM – 9:00 PM

*Opening hours may differ during holidays.

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About Pondok Nasi Bakar

Smoky banana-leaf parcels and fierce spice make this Clarendon Street haunt an easy call for real Indonesian comfort. Regulars queue up for the signature nasi bakar—seasoned rice grilled inside banana leaves until aromatic and deeply charred—paired with tender iga bakar beef ribs slicked in sweet, caramelized sauce. The setup runs casual: order up front at the register, grab your own cutlery, and douse plates with five styles of house-made sambal. Fried tilapia, soothing bowls of soto Betawi, and crisp tempeh round out generous spreads built for sharing across tightly packed tables.

  • Signature Nasi Bakar: Seasoned rice wrapped in banana leaves and grilled until fragrant and deeply charred.
  • Smoky Grilled Specialties: Tender beef ribs and whole fried tilapia deliver caramelized, smoky traditional flavors.
  • House-Made Sambals: Five distinct house-made chili sauces paired to match grilled meats and rice plates.
RestaurantIndonesianRestaurant

What's On at Pondok Nasi Bakar

Upcoming events, special menus and other reasons to plan a visit.

No events or specials listed right now.

Why Choose Pondok Nasi Bakar

Discover why diners flock to Clarendon Street for authentic banana-leaf nasi bakar and grilled specialties.

  • Smoky Banana-Leaf Grilled Rice

    House specialty seasoned rice wrapped in banana leaf and grilled delivers deep aromatic smokiness that elevates signature Indonesian dining.

    Incredibly deep smoky flavour of the beef ribs and the rice.. oh the rice is something else.

    The Boonch Reviews

  • Caramelized & Tender Iga Bakar

    Tender grilled beef ribs and chicken are caramelized with rich, well-balanced sauces and layered spices.

    The beef ribs were tender, juicy, and coated in a rich, caramelized sauce with just the right balance of sweetness and smokiness.

    Diko Daswin

  • Comforting Taste of Home

    Traditional recipes and comforting classics evoke a genuine sense of home for diners craving nostalgic tastes of Indonesia.

    so good, it instantly reminded me of home 🤍

    Livia Samudera

  • Transporting Cultural Nostalgia

    From heartfelt hospitality to nostalgic aromas, diners experience the warmth and atmosphere of dining back in Indonesia.

    feel like iam in Indo

    IRMA

  • Generous Value-Driven Portions

    Guests enjoy generous traditional portions at accessible price points, making satisfying meals easy on the wallet.

    delicious Indonesian food in a no frills place with great value!

    Hanmo Li

  • Five House-Made Sambal Varieties

    The kitchen crafts five distinct varieties of house-made sambal, giving guests customized heat profiles to pair with their meals.

    They have 5 different types of house made chilli sauce.

    Kim Wang

Smoky banana-leaf baked rice and signature grilled Indonesian dishes

  • Nasi Bakar

    The highlight of the menu is the Nasi Bakar (grilled rice) wrapped in leaf. It was super delicious, I can eat it just by itself!

    Ignatius Soputro

  • Iga Bakar

    The beef ribs were tender, juicy, and coated in a rich, caramelized sauce with just the right balance of sweetness and smokiness.

    Diko Daswin

  • Ikan Bakar

    We tried the Ikan Bakar and it was absolutely delicious, really worth it.

    Syazwan Nasir

  • Ayam Bakar

    I had the Ayam Bakar Balado — the sambal was perfect and full of flavour!

    Billie henry Sabattini

Before you head over

Practical tips on ordering, weekend rushes, and parking before visiting Clarendon Street.

  • Expect Peak Queues and Meal Wait Times

    Queues can stretch down Clarendon Street during busy weekend peak periods, and dishes are prepared fresh so prepare for a small wait when the dining room is full.

  • Order at the Counter or Table QR Code

    Place your order via the table QR code or walk up directly to the counter with your table number rather than waiting for table service. Cutlery, water, and napkins are available at the self-serve station.

  • Plan Extra Time for Weekday Parking

    Street parking around Clarendon Street can be challenging on busy weekdays, so consider taking public transit or leaving extra time to find a spot.

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