Rendang Republic brings exciting Indonesian food to Wrigleyville - Review - Chicago - The Infatuation
"As the city’s only known Indonesian restaurant, Rendang Republic doesn’t really have to do anything unique to stand out. But this Wrigleyville counter-service spot’s tight menu is full of excellent dishes that channel both the sambal and galangal-infused flavors of Indonesian cuisine and the spirit of classic Chicago handheld dishes, too. photo credit: Kim Kovacik photo credit: Kim Kovacik photo credit: Kim Kovacik photo credit: Kim Kovacik Pause Unmute Its namesake dish is incredible in its traditional form—rich beef rendang blanketing nasi goreng or chewy noodles, with a whole entourage of punchy condiments and vegetables like spicy sambal and collard greens. But the rest of its menu is where Rendang Republic’s personality truly shines. photo credit: Kim Kovacik photo credit: Kim Kovacik photo credit: Kim Kovacik Pause Unmute The Duck Inn-do hot dog slathered in pickly acar acar relish and sambal aioli is a fantastic Chicago dog-inspired sausage that looks right at home in the hands of Cubs fans stopping by before first pitch. And the rendang sandwich with tangy giardiniera is a delicious twist on a beloved staple, even though it might not be soaked enough for those who prefer italian beefs that look like they were stuck in a torrential jus storm. photo credit: Kim Kovacik photo credit: Kim Kovacik photo credit: Kim Kovacik Pause Unmute Unsurprisingly, Rendang Republic’s small dining room gets busy with hyped-up, jersey-clad Imanaga and Crow-Armstrong clones during home games. And even when baseball is on hiatus and there are only a few college kids at the counter seats or one family at a table, a meal here is always exciting. Food Rundown Daging Sapi Rendang Plate The rendang plates have plenty of customization options, but this is our favorite order (take notes): Beef rendang, nasi goreng, both red and green sambal, and both shrimp and garlic chips. The rich flavor of coconut milk, aromatics, and spices is fully infused into the tender beef chunks sitting on top of the sweet and nutty fried rice. And when you mix-and-match the sambal, vegetables, and other components, each spoonful takes exciting combinations of freshness, heat, and acidity. photo credit: Kim Kovacik Ayam Rendang Plate The chicken rendang is a close second to the beef. It’s equally juicy, but has an overall lightness compared to its richer, meatier counterpart. We like pairing it with the chewy noodles too, but still like to get both sambal and chip options. photo credit: Kim Kovacik Duck Inn-do Dog This uses a chicken sausage instead of an all-beef one, but that’s fine. The Duck Inn sausage is thick and flavorful with a snappy casing, and the maximalist mountain of sambal aioli, tomato, and green onion give each bite bursts of spice and zip, plus some crunch from fried shallots. Also, since Wrigley Field actually lets you bring personal-sized food items, take one of these to a ballgame to ditch the concession lines and make all of your friends jealous. photo credit: Kim Kovacik Beef Rendang Sandwich The bun holds up well against the saucy beef and the tag team of giardiniera and sambal aioli help brighten everything up. Bring this to Wrigley, too. photo credit: Kim Kovacik IFC Sandwich There’s not really an elegant way to eat this behemoth of a sandwich, but it’s so good, it’s worth embracing the messiness. The coconut buttermilk battered chicken thigh has a perfect craggy shell yet juicy inside. A trifecta of green papaya slaw, pickles, and sambal aioli helps balance out the salty fried bird by making sure each bite gets some sweetness and acidity. photo credit: Kim Kovacik Vanilla Pandan Latte Rendang Republic also serves coffee and pastries (from Umaga Bakehouse), and their Vanilla Pandan Latte made with their own nutty and sweet housemade syrup is great as a pick-me-up or dessert with a little caffeine boost. photo credit: Kim Kovacik" - John Ringor
