It is not easy to find authentic Indonesian cuisine in the Stavanger region, so when Toko Bintang popped up in tiny Asian grocery store in of all places, Klepp, I was incredibly curious.
But because I had so many times been burned by crappy Asian food, I held on to the takeaway menu but never ordered anything for months until my sister in law called me one day to tell me she had been shopping at the Asian store and this super friendly Indonesian lady had given her small tasters of everything on the menu that day. “I didn’t know what I was eating, but it was all delicious!”
That led me to an immediate visit to Toko Bintang and I proceeded to also get samplers of everything on the menu. And they were all in fact, absolutely scrumptious.
Since then, I’ve been back countless times and have tested out practically her entire menu from the lemongrass chicken to the beef rendang, but my favorites have got to be her weekly specials - dishes you would normally never find on this side of the globe.
The food is rich, bold, and properly spiced, not watered down at all. The beef rendang is deep and intense, the sambal has real heat, and the dishes feel comforting and home-cooked, despite coming from a little takeaway place.
The cherry on top is that the owner Putri and her husband are always so kind and friendly and loved a good chat - it always felt to me like I was visiting a close friend whenever I dropped by.
The people of the Stavanger region obviously agree with me because she has since garnered a zillion good reviews on Google, and have moved to a larger, cosier locale in Bryne.
If you grew up with Indonesian or Malaysian flavors, this place will taste like home. If you didn’t, it’s still one of the most interesting takeaway options in Stavanger when you want something beyond the usual.