Peanut sauce, noodles + more: A new Indonesian restaurant is now open in Charlotte
When you step inside Nusa, you’ll find a welcoming place to grab lunch or dinner in Charlotte. You’ll also find yourself transported, as you soak up the flavors of traditional Indonesian cuisine.
If you’re looking for a new Asian dining experience you won’t find elsewhere around town, this is it. Nusa is the only Indonesian restaurant in the Carolinas, general manager Kendra Kong has told CharlotteFive.
The restaurant is now open in the former Charlotte Cafe space at the Arboretum, which has seen a shakeup of food and drink options recently. It’s right next door to where Curry Junction will be opening in the old Akropolis Cafe location, near Vicious Biscuit.
Chef Hendra Tjiey first crafted the menu featuring the food of Indonesia with a Chinese flair, reflecting his home country and heritage. A new contemporary menu was later rolled out from chef Harry Susanto under the direction of executive head chef Robin Anthony, who’s also at the helm of sister concepts PrimeFish; Omakase, an experience by PrimeFish; and the newly opened PrimeFish Cellar.
HOW TO NUSA: Browse the menu online or at the door, then head on in. Take a seat, and a server will take your order, then roll it out to you on a cart when it’s ready.
THE FOOD: If you start off with an appetizer, you’ll find familiar dishes such as spring rolls, dumplings and chicken satay, served with peanut sauce on the side.
When I visited Nusa, I was lucky enough to have a guide in my friend Nancy, whose father was from Indonesia. She melted at the sight of gado gado on the menu — the Indonesian salad — which flooded her with childhood memories.
She also dove into the braised beef, simmered until tender in coconut milk and spices. It comes with rice, stewed mixed veggies and coconut mixed veggies, plus pickled cucumbers and savory shrimp chips.
I ordered the chicken satay and Nusa noodles with shredded chicken, which carried a sneaky but mild back-end heat.
For a touch of something sweet to finish off your meal, Nusa offers coconut ice cream.
ALLERGY NOTES: One important thing to note is that Indonesian cuisine is heavy with tree nuts, peanuts and shellfish, Kong said. “Almost everything will contain one of the three,” she said, so people with allergies will want to take note.
Nusa
Location: Arboretum, 8200 Providence Road, Suite 700
Cuisine: Indonesian
Instagram: @nusacharlotte
This story was originally published February 27, 2024 at 5:00 AM.
