"This for FULL Asian."

     "This for full Asian." The waiter said. I was sitting across from my roommate staring at the menu with total confusion. I laughed and said, "Oh, well I guess that's not me. So what do you recommend?"
     The Borobudur Indonesian Cuisine; "A Journey of Taste" is their slogan. My roommate and I were standing outside the restaurant excited to taste this journey. We sat down and the waiter brought us our menus. My first glance at the menu I thought to myself, "I have no idea what is good, or what will I even like?" I immediately go to the spicy signs (little chiles next to the name, the more there was, the spicier it was). I saw the Nasi Goreng Terasi Pedas (two chile symbols) and thought it looked good. The description read, "Traditional Spicy shrimp paste fried rice with egg, onion and choice of: Chicken, Shrimp, or Mixed Vegetables" Yum! So I thought.
     My Roommate orders first. Then I say, "I'll have a number 58." There was no way he would understand what I meant if I attempted to pronounce Nasi Goreng Terasi Pedas. 
     This is when he informed me, "This for full Asian." Pointing to what I wanted. He then informed me that a lot of people don't like the dish because they say it is too fishy. Apparently the shrimp paste can get pretty strong smelling. He offered to make it for me and if I didn't like it he could take it back. I just couldn't do that, so I asked for a suggestion. I instead ordered a more mild dish. The Nasi Goreng. Everything the same, just no shrimp paste.
    The waiter was intrigued by my curiosity with the shrimp paste, so he brought some out in a jar for me to try with my food. I smelt it first. Not too fishy... Dipped a cucumber, and took a bite. BAM! Talk about some flavor. It was a flavor that I've never had before. A slight fish taste to it, but not as over powering as the waiter had made it sound. It was very spicy. Instantly my nose was runny. But the sauce was actually good. I liked it.
    When the waiter checked in with us, he asked if I had tried it. I told him I thought it tasted good. His face  lit up with surprised. He just smiled and said good for you.
     The shrimp paste was what made that meal. I can see how not everyone would enjoy it though. It has a distinct flavor, and its quite spicy. I recommend bringing tissues along for your runny nose. That's all I could think about when I was eating. "Should have brought tissues..."

Find out what Shrimp Paste is.