Aroma of Indonesia

Restaurant · Sydney, Australia

About Aroma of Indonesia

Aroma of Indonesia occupies a ground-floor space down a laneway off Clarence Street in the Barrack Place precinct of the Sydney CBD, positioning itself as an upmarket venue for regional Indonesian cooking rather than a casual eatery. The restaurant is the second project from the Indonesian-born married couple Nessiana Pamudji and Ferry Tshai, who previously worked in the kitchens of China Doll and Billy Kwong before opening their first restaurant, The Sambal, on nearby Kent Street. Where that earlier venture leans toward everyday Indonesian fare, Aroma of Indonesia is built around dishes tied to specific regions of the archipelago, moving from Bali to West Java.

The menu is organised around that regional geography rather than a single house style. West Sumatra is represented by a beef rendang made with Australian full-blood wagyu, cooked slowly in coconut milk and spices until the sauce reduces to a thick, dark paste. From West Java comes Ikan Saus Mangga, a deep-fried whole snapper finished with a sweet and tangy mango sauce, alongside Sate Sapi Maranggi, marinated beef skewers associated with the Cianjur and Purwakarta area. Central Java supplies a Tongseng lamb shank curry, a dish built on a base of sweet soy and spices that appears less often on Indonesian menus abroad. Bali contributes Bebek Betutu, duck breast served on small roti parathas, and Kerang Jimbaran, grilled Hokkaido scallops named for the seafood-grilling tradition of Jimbaran Bay. The dessert list includes a durian crème brûlée, pairing a French technique with the polarising tropical fruit, alongside a sambal platter for diners who want to taste the condiment on its own terms.

The dining room seats around 44 people indoors with a further 12 seats outside in a laneway setting; the outdoor area does not allow pets. Reported trading hours differ somewhat between online booking platforms and a restaurant review published in November 2025, with the review describing dinner service running later into the evening than the booking sites list, so hours are left unconfirmed here and diners should check directly with the restaurant before visiting. The restaurant is closed on Sundays and most public holidays. Accepted payment methods include Visa, Mastercard, American Express, Eftpos and cash.

Address

Contact

• Phone: +61 410 017 959

Category

Indonesian Restaurant in Australia

More Indonesian Restaurant in Australia

• Ayam Penyet Ria - Adelaide Adelaide, Australia — Restaurant
• Batavia Corner Perth, Australia — Restaurant
• Betawi Brisbane, Australia — Restaurant
• Dapur Van Java Perth, Australia — Restaurant
• Kata Kita Melbourne, Australia — Restaurant
• Makan Melbourne, Australia — Restaurant