First time back after they moved from their hole-in-wall location that started their good reputation. While this beautiful space is night and day in comparison, something was lost in the transition. Prices standout, but considering that Indonesian restaurants are far and few, this is it for over 400 miles. The coziness is certainly gone, and the friendliness somewhat too. Per usual, we ordered their delicious Rendang which tastes very different wherever you go. We also enjoyed the corn fritters. I appreciate the very creative cocktail menu. They used to be a must stop when passing through Ashland, but that's not a certainty anymore. Oh well, I wish them well. read more

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Food was so good. Definitely sample the house made timbal before dumping it all on your noodles. It's tasty, but kicks. We will eat here again. read more

Blue Toba - enjoying candied ginger in turmeric ginger beer. I had ginger lemon shrub. Food was delicious and staff friendly. - Indonesian Near Me - Ashland, Oregon

Love this place as a date night treat. I've been here three times and keep wanting to come back whenever I'm in town. Spice blend flavors are complex and interesting. Front room right off Main Street is a bar are fine for happy hour. I love the rear dining room for the gorgeous decor, natural light, and huge open kitchen. It's a treat to watch the chef at work. Service by the owners is always top notch (sometimes it seems like newer staff members are getting trained on the job and not quite there yet). Don't skip the drinks! Cocktail and n/a options are plentiful and indulgent. Even a simple house tonic water has a delightful blend of unexpected flavors. I can't speak to any of the meat options, but there are plenty of vegan options. Don't miss the house peanut sauce (more sweet than spicy) or the tempeh (spiced super thin and fried extras crispy). If you like your food spicy, make sure to ask for Sambal. read more

Blue Toba - Gado-gado - Indonesian Near Me - Ashland, Oregon

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As much as I hate posting bad reviews this was a poor experience for sure. I tried the gulai and the opor without tofu or chicken. Both dishes cost an astounding $26.50 and the portion size was very small, and keep in mind these dishes were literally some vegetables with a side of rice. So paid $53 before tax and tip on the amount of food that would equate to one Thai curry from a standard Thai restaurant that would cost $13-18 usually. The food Is layed out thinly on a plate to make it appear as if it's more food but it is a super tiny amount. The flavors of the food were good but nothing that special. Nothing about the whole experience would equate to the extreme lot high price tags. It's not right when restaurants do this so I hope that the management adjusts the portion size/price for these dishes. As much as I'd love to have posted a 5 star review how can I when I paid $70 in end for what equated to one Thai curry type of dish? I will not come back here and highly suggest the reataurant nous instead, where it was an easy 5/5 star experience for me in every way. After seeing the business owners comment, I feel the need to reply.. I realize these are different dishes than Thai curries. Not sure why such an emphasis on that part of the review. They are similar to Thai curry's in that both dishes I ordered are vegetable curries with a side of rice. Even my waitress compared one of my dishes to a yellow curry. I can respect organic ingredients for sure and I happily pay more at several restaurants for organic ingredients. That doesn't change the fact that $28 is still exorbitant for the tiny organic portions received. I am very familiar with the restaurant industry as my family has sold restaurant equipment to restaurants for over 35 years abd I've eaten at 100s and 100sof restaurants around the world . Vegan food can be the most profitable and also Italian in terms of food. The portion size to price ratio is the only reason for this poor review to be very clear. The food was tasty and everything else was great but I came to purchase 2 entrees for dinner which I did, abd received portions equivalent to two sides. I came into the experience with an open mind truly, and happily ordered the 2 Indonesian curry's for $28 each. Upon receiving and digging spoon into shallow bowls I was shocked. Those bowls should be nearly filled up if someone doesn't add chicken or tofu especially. Sorry if this seems harsh at all I know it takes a lot to run a restaurant, this was my experience though and I really do want you guys to do well that's why I'm taking the time to give constructive criticism I hope you are open to it even though it doesn't feel good to hear. read more

Blue Toba - Gulai, Opor - Indonesian Near Me - Ashland, Oregon

Very nicely decorated restaurant in the heart of downtown. The bar seems well appointed. We sat near the bar area and are off the dinner area. We had been recommended this place from a friend who used to live in Ashland. The decor was nice but the dinner disappointed. I grew up eating Indonesian food so my standards might be high. But the appetizer of a fried corn and carrot was tasty but not particularly Indonesian. We had mi goreng and nasi goreng. The nasi goreng was good and had some flavor. The mi goreng was disappointingly sweet. They give you an eighth of a teaspoon of sambal which doesn't help much. In all, it felt very much like the food had been Americanized. Conclusion: a good date spot. Service was friendly. Maybe go heavy on drinks and light on food. read more

Blue Toba - Nasi goreng - Indonesian Near Me - Ashland, Oregon

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Wow! Great food! Super tasty and I love that I can control the spice level with the sauce on the side. The servers were attentive and appeared to be happy to be there. read more

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I recently ate at Blue Toba before attending a show at the Oregon Shakespeare Festival. I was warmly greeted upon arrival and had the best table where I could see the kitchen. Tastefully decorated, I felt like I was in Bali again. The server was super friendly, helpful in helping me to order (everything sounded great), and checked on me frequently. At one point, one of the owners came over and helped me select a mocktail which was so good. She was very friendly and personable as well. The food was outstanding and so flavorful! I had the Old Toba Special and the Tamarind Ginger-Beer. Definitely a culinary field trip for my tastebuds. I wish I was staying in Ashland longer because I would have eaten here everyday! I can't wait to go back to Blue Toba again! Highly recommend you try it too! read more

Blue Toba - Tamarind Ginger-Beer Mocktail - Indonesian Near Me - Ashland, Oregon

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Romantic but casual atmosphere. After reading a ridiculous 1-star review and the owner's thoughtful response, and many 5-star praises, we knew we had to try Blue Toba (and *not* ask for a Tom Collins, obviously). The Indonesian spiced old fashioned and Smoked Ted Gimlet were excellent. My wife's Ayam Bakar had chicken that was tender and flavorful. Rice was a little spicy and she really like the Bali style green beans with shallots on them. My Mie Goreng was delicious but unfortunately with my nut allergy it was the only entree I could order (leaving the candlenuts off) and live to tell the tale. No way on the other entrees to "just leave it off" when it's been marinating for hours. Candlenut fans, I envy you, enjoy your dinners here! read more

My first Indonesian dinner experience was years ago in Den Haag (Holland) on a Company business trip. The Dutch were once the colonizers over Indonesia and the cuisine followed to the home country. Fast forward a number of years, and you'll find Gayle and I at the gym with our Indonesian trainer (Meike). Not only has she whipped us into shape, we enjoy the cultural conversations as a bonus. Our most recent adventures have been the Bali Express food truck in Reno/Sparks and Tee Jay's Corner Cafe in Carson City. So when we say Blue Toba in Ashland during our recent Downtown walk, how could we resist? Service was prompt and friendly, including a nice short chat with the Chef's Wife as we were leaving. The restaurant consists of a well appointed and spacious dining room in back and a cool and large front bar area. Here's some feedback that Meike provided as we were texting her about our experience (including sending her the menu): - She and her daughter love Opor (Javanese Candlenut Curry), the dish that Gayle enjoyed. It's white curry and Javanese (where she's from). - Blue Toba is a Lake in North Sumatra and probably where the Chef is from. She suggested that I say "Horas! to them. - She and her husband love the "Rendang" dish, which we'll need to order the next time. - She also noted the Bajigur drink that we should have tried. When she was in college in Bogor, she liked to hang out sitting on the side streets with friends drinking Bajigur (especially when it was cold and rainy). - She thought that the menu was a little pricey, and we did point out that this is a more upscale establishment in a theater town. We also agreed that having better ingredients and a creative chef makes a difference, Did I mention that I had the Mie Goreng (Indonesian Fried Noodles) That was a delicious choice as well. At the same time, Gayle and I both agreed that we chickened out and didn't go "full spice" here. That will change when we come back. read more

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Best chicken sate I've ever had. The scrumptious peanut sauce and char grilling make it excellent. read more

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What a great experience! Blue Toba is pretty expensive compared to similar restaurants, but it seems like quite a bit is imported from Indonesia, which must be costly. Overall, a really great experience. The food was excellent and the service was great. Our group had some varied dietary restrictions and we were all accommodated. read more

the Best restaurant in Ashland!! excellent quality The restaurant front is hard to find it looks dark and like a bar but once inside wonderful read more

Everything was well done. We were a party of 6 and the restaurant was full. They warned us that a delay in food might happen. It didn't! All the food was soooo good and there was no delay. Service was excellent. read more

Owner messaged me to let me know that they could not make a Tom Collins because they do not stock those ingredients. The ingredients are gin, lemon, simple syrup, and soda water. Wildest Yelp response I've ever gotten. read more

Kind of a secret space that has great flavorful dishes - How many Indonesian restaurants are there on the West Coast? Not many, and I come from an Indo background - Nice dishes, nice drinks, you probably will experience some flavors you never had - Friendly waitstaff - Enjoy read more

Firstly, I was celebrating my 60th birthday with my 19 year old son, passing through from visiting the Redwoods. This restaurant was THE culinary highlight of our trip. The decor was gorgeous, service was excellent and the food absolutely amazing. I have had Indonesian food before but never served in such an appealing and vibrant space. This restaurant is a true gem! Hats off to Chef!!! read more

I'm so glad we were able to dine at Blue Toba the one night we hung out in Ashland, Oregon, as this is one of the best restaurants in town! Blue Toba is an Indonesian restaurant with craft cocktails, and was featured in Diners, Drive-ins and Dives. We visited Blue Toba on a Friday night for dinner, around 6pm before seeing a play nearby at Oregon Shakespeare Festival. Although they do not take reservations for parties less than six, we were easily able to be seated immediately for the three of us. There's a spacious bar in the front, but they do not serve the dinner menu here. Therefore, we sat in the dining area where most everyone was. The menu had a lot of options for dinner and drinks. To start, I ordered the Bersama Kita cocktail, which was a whiskey base with Arak, an anise-like liquor. It was very booze-forward, which is my favorite kind of drink! For a second cocktail, I had the Java Jawa, which had Arak and was more of a coffee liquor base. It was my dessert! Everyone loved their cocktails though, so would recommend trying one or two to complement your meal here. For food, the menu had a lot of dishes that sounded so appetizing and all of us wanted to try multiple items, so we decided to each order something different and do family style. We ordered the famous rendang, the opor, a Javanese candlenut curry and the Ayam Bakar, which is grilled chicken that's been marinated in coconut milk. All of our dishes came with lime-leaf rice. Of all the dishes, ya gotta try the famous rendang, which was everyone's favorite at the table. The beef was tender and flavorful from the 19 spices and coconut milk that it's cooked in. It's unlike anything else! I could've eaten this dish by myself, but sadly promised to share with others. However, the other dishes were also delicious. The candlenut curry was nice, adding a nutty sauce with some veggies and the coconut grilled chicken was solid. Blue Toba is a restaurant that you must check out in Ashland. Staff was super friendly and the food was fantastic. I can see why there's a lot of praise, including from Guy Fieri for this spot. I would love to come back here again when I'm back in the area. read more

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We had the experience to work with the owners. The head chef and owner Birong was preparing everything fresh for the evening. The smells were exotic. While I just had a sampling of his yellow curry sauce it makes me want to come for dinner soon. The restaurant is authentic and a special place read more

This place checked all the dinning out boxes. It had adorable ambiance, incredible service, delicious food and cocktails. read more

Blue Toba - Interior of back dinning room - Indonesian Near Me - Ashland, Oregon

I am a fan of Indonesian food for years but until recently, even the diverse Bay Area was lacking in offerings. So, imagine my surprise when I found out that Ashland a small town, right across the state line into Oregon not only offers Indonesian food but authentic Indonesian food. It was our first meal in Oregon on the way up to Portland for Chicken Opor and Beef Rendang and our last meal of the previously sold-out Satay and more Rendang before leaving. The rendang has a bit of heat so perfect for a bite or two for me while the non-spicy but still super flavorful Chicken Opor that is a candlenut curry and the Balinese Satay was all mine. By that second visit, we were greeted like old friends with Sumatran Chef Birong Hutabarat taking time to talk to us about his spices. Bi-annual visits for 6 weeks back to Indonesia to handpick spices to dry before bringing it back to give us that flavor bomb in his made from scratch dishes. Now I know why they were one of the top 3 ethnic restaurants in the State of Oregon that would blow your mind. Mind officially blown, twice! If you do plan on visiting, make sure to call the day before to confirm their hours of opening as he sometimes is closed for a day off or of course his trip back to Indonesia. Plans are in the works to move into a new space Downtown as well but regardless of where, as long as Chef Birong is in the kitchen, you are sure to be getting an authentic taste of Indonesia. read more

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Looking for unique in Ashland,Oregon, as a local I highly recommend it. Wonderfully accessible food with a staff that takes time to explain Indonesian cuisine. It was featured on Diners, Drive-Ins & Dives! Lots of great dishes. Don't miss the black rice pudding for dessert, or maybe order it first. The pudding is a chocolate like experience but with no chocolate. Try pairing it with Kencur a very subtle tea. Explore Indonesia while in Ashland and have a unique dining experience. read more

Blue Toba - Indonesian Near Me - Ashland, Oregon

This place has the most exotic and authentic curry, without holding back on the heat. And I appreciate that. I hate food that has been dumbed down to suit what is perceived as American taste. As it turns out, some Americans do like spicy food. We had the gado-gado salad with peanut sauce, gulai curry with chicken and nasi goreng. We recommend all. I had the Tipsy Toba which turned blue as I watched. One of the owners waited on us. We hope we will get to come back some time and try all the other dishes. read more

Service here is impeccable. Its a lovely experience to eat her from the decor to the food. I had the fritters and the beef dish with a glass of bubbles. Well attended to, food is satisfying. First time her and open to going back. The waiter who was there today deserves a raise, he is so lovely!! read more

Blue Toba - Curried beef - Indonesian Near Me - Ashland, Oregon

This is the best restaurant in my view in Ashland. The owners have ties to Indonesia that include spices crafted for recipe magnificence. If you want to meet the owners, unless super tied up because the Chef is one of the owners, just say the word! They have a secret lunch special combo that takes off 15% when you order a main dish, appetizer, and Indinesian specialty crafted cocktail or cocktails. Its all worth it. The food is seriously amazingly good. Its healthy yummy and with the crafted drinks you feel special. The atmosphere is created to create a ceremonial feel of Indonesia culture with beautiful music to supplement! Don't forget dessert. Its a must have! read more

My best meal experience yet in Ashland! The smoked Gimlet was divine, followed by the yummy moist Sumatran Chicken with perfectly cooked green beans and flavored rice. Big crowd? - they have lots of room with many tables, bring the whole family! The owner cooks right in front of you in the back dining room, or you can eat in the bar along Main St. for a quiet chit-chat. I also recommend this cocktail - Indonesian Spiced Old Fashion: Four Roses Small Batch, Indonesian Spiced Demerara, Cardamom Bitters, Lemon Expression. $16 Ashland, Oregon. You will love this more exotic dining experience. read more

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We have been to this lovely restaurant twice and been delighted. I think the food was prepared from scratch with love and attention rather than having big parts delivered from Sysco foods in plastic. The spices were a symphony of novel and delicious tastes. I liked the Mid Goring so much and the delicious chicken dish. The Rendang is quite heavy and for someone who loves dense red meat. I noticed others loved it. We will go every time. Oh- don't skip the chicken soup which is not even on the menu, but so delicious - I am not even a soup eater usually. I loved every item including the rice desert, which I would come back and get for breakfast, but they didnt open until 11am. Please don't skip this. You can spend WAY more in this town for a much less good meal read more

Six years after visiting their tiny hole-in-the-wall location in south Ashland, I find they've moved onto Main Street downtown, and are now a full-scale restaurant with regular seating and a more extensive menu. I ordered the Indonesian fried chicken, which had a crunchy but very thin coating. The chicken was two drumsticks, with the meat flayed so that more coating could get on, and also made it easier to eat with a fork (a knife would have been nice too) when it was still piping hot. It was obviously cooked to order, but this did mean the food took 30 minutes to arrive, which is longer than you expect to wait for a lunch special. I noted that the curries and such were described on the menu as full of extensive seasonings but not necessarily hot or spicy. This will be good for those who like a non-spicy option. (The chicken wasn't spicy either.) Plenty of rice, strongly flavored of the coconut milk it was cooked in, on the side. read more

If you're looking for delicious, authentic and unique cuisine- Blue Toba is the spot. ~ Food: 1) Beef Rendang- 5/5. This was one of the most recommended dishes I saw while looking through reviews and it was delicious. It's my version of comfort food. A hearty and rich meal with an incredible flavor profile. The beef has been cooked with coconut milk but they describe it as a "dry curry" since the beef soaks up all of the juices and gravy. There is nothing dry about it though because the meat is packed with amazing flavor that pairs so well with the rice and green beans that accompany it. 2) Chicken Opor Curry- 5/5. If you're looking for your traditional idea of coconut milk based curry or something somewhat similar to a Thai green curry- this is your dish. Another hotly recommended entree, this was every bit as tasty as it was described. ~ Drinks: 1) Indo spiced soda- 5/5. If you're familiar with south Asian spices this is a great taste on a refreshing mocktail with the most effervescent flavor of spices like star anise and cloves 2) Tipsy toba- 4/5. Butterfly pea flower and vodka this drink is every bit as pretty as it is cool to watch it transform table side. The drink takes on a beautiful purple hue once the lemon juice is added. The drink was a bit stronger than I'd expected. ~ Ambience: Blue Toba is perfect for a casual night with friends or a romantic date night. The interior was cozy and you have a great view of an open kitchen where you can witness the mouthwatering magic happen. ~Service: 5/5. Our waiter/waitress took great care of us and were attentive throughout our meal and also were able to make recommendations. Overall, if you're in the mood to try something new that will leave you satisfied but is scrumptious enough to make you want another plate, check out Blue Toba. read more

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My favorite restaurant in Ashland!! Such a welcoming staff and I never get tired of the food read more

I'm in much gratitude to be so well nourshind by Birongs cooking and taken care of by Leslie. If this was my last meal, I could say I lived an even better life. read more

This is a favorite place to eat when in Ashland. The food is wonderful and the service is excellent.

This is an incredible local resource and an under-appreciated gem. One of, if not the, best Indonesian restaurants on the West Coast, right here on Main Street in Ashland. The flavors and ingredients are authentic and well chosen. The menu is relatively small with dishes that will appeal both to those new to Indonesian food as well as those for whom it is "home cooking." I am delighted it is here and could not recommend it more highly. Rather than highlight a particular dish I will say "pick one that appeals to you." They are all good. read more

My wife and I were walking down the street. We were hungry. We're both vegan, and my wife is gluten free. We both said at the same time, "Hmmmmm, I wonder what Indonesian food tastes like?" We looked at each other, then ran inside the restaurant full of excitement! To answer the question, Indonesian food is damn good! Omg, we ate the fritter appetizer, the curry dinner, and the rice pudding dessert, along with a fancy cocktail. OMG, they were so good!!! 10/10!! read more

Delighted to find an excellent Indonesian restaurant in Ashland. Good and friendly service, nice drinks and great food. Had the dried curry beef and wish I could come back tomorrow for more read more

The food was divine and the service was friendly and efficient. The decor of the restaurant was Indonesian and classy . We will definitely go there again. read more

Beautiful restaurant. We sat overlooking the super clean and precise kitchen. Fresh veg was chopped up every 15 minutes. We ordered the chicken satay and peanut sauce- lovely char and nicely textured peanut sauce, the noodle dish with medium sambal (not spicy at all which was ok!). Had the Betsama Kita and Tipsy Toba (which comes with a magic trick, that's all I'll say). Everything was delicious and would definitely come here again.. if only to smell the smells!! read more

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What a gem. Very interesting and flavorful cocktails plus yummy chicken satay. The decor was authentic Indonesian meets Ashland vibe. Cozy large dining room and great service. You gotta try it! read more

The corn fritters were the best we've ever had in any restaurant across the US hands down. We decided on Happy Hour after getting out of an afternoon play. It was great, $2 off menu items, beer, and wine. We also ordered the Rendang. It was okay, we are not fans of overcooked room temperature stew type meat but everyone has different tastes and the dish seems popular despite the $26 price tag. The draft IPA was very well balanced between citrus and hops. Charnanay was fine but the pour was miniscule. The server was friendly and the bar area attractive and comfortable. read more

Blue Toba - Beer and wine - Indonesian Near Me - Ashland, Oregon

When I was planning a trip to Ashland I was not expecting to find some of the best Indonesian food I have had in the US. The food is amazing, the cocktails are inventive, the servers are great. This was truly a standout. read more

Stellar meal with some really interesting cocktails! Came here with a group on a not so busy night, but near enough to the holidays that there were a few large groups holding up the small kitchen and bar staff, but totally understandable as they have 1 chef, and one sous chef and 1 bartender but service was great all the same. The party I was with all got all different cocktails and I was a particular fan of the Jack of All Trades drink, which was quite delicious. The corn fritters and chicken satay were STELLAR. The kitchen was nice enough to add a 5th skewer and a 5th fritter as we were a group of 5 and they usually only have 4 pieces of each. We ordered just about everything on the menu as well, the highlight was the Beef Rendang. It really, REALLY was the best thing on the menu and I would come back for just that rendang. The fried noodles with chicken were also stellar, but honestly, you can't go wrong with the food here. Everything is made to order and SO delicious. We even had the dessert and LOVED it. Everything here was spectacular and it was a true highlight of my time in Ashland. read more

Blue Toba - Indonesian Near Me - Ashland, Oregon

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