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Oceanside

North America

United States

Nestled in the heart of Oceanside, California, Dija Mara is a vibrant restaurant that specializes in exquisite Southeast Asian cuisine. Located at 232 S Coast Hwy, this culinary gem has quickly become a favorite among locals and visitors alike, renowned for its unique Balinese-inspired dishes and inviting atmosphere. Dija Mara offers a delightful dining experience, perfect for those seeking flavorful food in a cozy setting.

Dija Mara is celebrated for its diverse menu that features a variety of dishes, including: 

Nasi Goreng - A flavorful Indonesian fried rice dish that has garnered rave reviews.

Grilled Roti - A must-try appetizer, served with delicious dipping sauces.

Ayam Penyet - Crispy fried chicken served with sambal sauce, a crowd favorite.

Ceviche - Renowned as one of the best in the area, bursting with fresh flavors.

Mie Goreng - A delicious stir-fried noodle dish that is both spicy and flavorful.

With a focus on fresh ingredients and bold flavors, Dija Mara has earned its place in the Michelin Guide, receiving the "Bib Gourmand" award from 2021 to 2023. This recognition highlights the restaurant's commitment to providing high-quality food at reasonable prices.

Conveniently situated along the South Coast Highway, Dija Mara is easily accessible and surrounded by the beautiful coastal scenery of Oceanside. After enjoying a meal, guests can explore nearby attractions such as the Oceanside Pier, a popular spot for stunning ocean views and beach activities. The vibrant downtown area is also just a short walk away, offering a variety of shops, cafes, and entertainment options.

Whether you're a local or just visiting, Dija Mara promises a memorable dining experience that showcases the rich flavors of Southeast Asian cuisine in a welcoming atmosphere.

Cozy space with industrial-chic decor known for plating elegant Southeast Asian dishes.

https://www.google.com/local/review/rap/report?postId=ChdDSUhNMG9nS0VJQ0FnSUNmbzZYRDhnRRAB&d=17924085&t=1

places/ChIJGc36Tzpu3IARgi_t2yqMpVg/reviews/ChdDSUhNMG9nS0VJQ0FnSUNmbzZYRDhnRRAB

Best food in north county hands down. My friend introduced me to this gem and I've been coming back ever since. Nothing beats their Nasi Goreng. It is so so delicious. This place is the kind of place that just doesn't miss. Their drinks are good, the food is good, the ambience and service is good. I've tried almost everything on their menu and the grilled roti is a must try. I could drink a bowl of their Ju. Prices are reasonable for the portion sizes Expect an amazing experience the moment you walk thru the door. There's a reason it's so hard to get a reservation here!

https://www.google.com/local/review/rap/report?postId=ChZDSUhNMG9nS0VJQ0FnSUNIbGV1R2JREAE&d=17924085&t=1

places/ChIJGc36Tzpu3IARgi_t2yqMpVg/reviews/ChZDSUhNMG9nS0VJQ0FnSUNIbGV1R2JREAE

I'd heard about this place from Eater/Michelin Guide, so I came with somewhat high expectations. Overall, food felt hit-or-miss, and it's a bit overpriced for the quality and atmosphere.

Roti - probably our favorite, it had great texture and flavor, but the lamb jus curry was too watery.

Chicken skewers - nicely charred and good flavor, but 4 tiny skewers did not feel like enough.

Mi goreng - quite unlike any mi goreng you'd get at a typical Indonesian restaurant. Spicy, and very flavorful. Came with chicken, not lamb. Relatively small portion.

Indo nicoise salad - looked interesting on paper, but it was frankly quite bad. Mustard greens were stringy and soggy, fermented green beans had a bitter taste,  gribiche was under seasoned and its mushy texture just didn't pair well with everything else. Confit tuna in addition to vinaigrette dressing made everything feel too oily and saturated. The fried anchovies made the already-funky flavors even funkier.

Service - attentive and friendly, but it felt weird that the salad came out last (a good 20 minutes after the mi goreng, which came out first)

Atmosphere - as other reviewers have mentioned, the acoustics are pretty bad. Restaurant was less than half full, yet it was very loud. The high tables were uncomfortable tall for the chairs.

https://www.google.com/local/review/rap/report?postId=ChdDSUhNMG9nS0VJQ0FnSUM3NThuZTVnRRAB&d=17924085&t=1

places/ChIJGc36Tzpu3IARgi_t2yqMpVg/reviews/ChdDSUhNMG9nS0VJQ0FnSUM3NThuZTVnRRAB

Ok, we have been wanting to come here for years but I always had this sinking feeling that the food was going to be expensive and basically "meh".

I was so wrong.  Wow.

Parking was easy, as we parked literally right in front of Dija Mara, then we walked over to LTH an hour before our DM reservations to have a couple of drinks.

Came back over at 6:30 and got seated at a two-top in the back half of the restaurant.  Not the best table and the sun was glaring in my eyes, I was worried we were going to have a "off" time but it turned out the sun was perfect for taking photos and we didn't mind the seats at all.  The place was consistently packed at 6:30 until we left.

After reading all the reviews and watching any YouTube videos I could find, I boiled down to this list of plates we HAD to try:

Grilled Roti - ($11)
Beef Short Rib Rendang - ($32)
Ceviche - ($18)
Ayam Penyet - ($23)
Mie Goreng - ($18)
and one red wine - ($18)

We ordered all at once and they brought out the food slowly, which was great because we didn't have that much room on the table for all those plates.

The Roti was really good.  Think of it like a large, very warm pita bread...only much lighter and fresher.  The two sauces it came with were very good too.  They brought that out with the Beef Rendang which was beautiful to look at and you could use the Roti to sop up the beef juices.

Then we had the Ceviche - which hands-down was the BEST ceviche we have ever had in our lives and I've eaten a metric ton of ceviche over the years.  This is a crowning achievement wow and a steal at $18.

Then the Ayam Penyet came out, which is essentially shake-n-bake fried chicken but it was SOOOO good!  And the Sambal sauce that came with it is blow-your-head-off spicy but so tasty I could not stop eating it.  But then the side of rice that came with it is easily the BEST rice we've ever had in our lives.  Like, what is happening!???

We finished off with the Mie Goreng - which was outstanding in flavor.  It's fried wok noodles.  Like a really amped up thick Yakisoba.  Absolutely delicious but we had no room to eat it.  We packed it up to go.

The wine was good too.  A bit pricey at $18 if you ask me and that's why we did LTH first.  I do want to try their cocktails so next time...

Overall I would (and will) re-order everything again except for the Beef Rendang.  It was good and a beautiful dish but I can make short rib in the Instant Pot at home pretty easily.  Just not as pretty...

I liked the vibes of this place, especially on a Saturday evening.  There was live music playing next door and the street just felt alive and electric.  I love living in Oceanside more and more.  We are truly becoming a culinary destination.

Dija Mara was awarded the "Bib Gourmand" by the Michelin Guide (the same people that award Michelin Stars) from 2021-2023.  This means they provide outstanding Michelin-level food at VALUE prices.  This I can attest is true.  Around $20 for this caliber of food is insane.  But they've been in the 2019 and 2020 Michelin guides as well (Michelin Plate and Discovery).

Can't wait to come back!

https://www.google.com/local/review/rap/report?postId=ChZDSUhNMG9nS0VJQ0FnSURudEluNmR3EAE&d=17924085&t=1

places/ChIJGc36Tzpu3IARgi_t2yqMpVg/reviews/ChZDSUhNMG9nS0VJQ0FnSURudEluNmR3EAE

I love the unique Balinese inspired food. We dont have it here in San Diego county. However, I can see why they did not retain their Michelin. I had been here in 2021 and then again a couple of days ago. The food was good (maybe slightly above average). Food was very spicy even for my Indian stomach that is used to spicy food. The service was great. Definitely get Grilled Roti (make it 2!!) and get both the veggie and beef sauce. Eggplant dish was loved by a lot of my friends. My fav was the Cereal shrimp 🦐❤️ definitely get the rice or roti to soak up all that beautiful sauce. Their drinks are so amazing too - lychee and ginger drinks! Best part is that they have an entire vegetarian menu with a lot of vegetarian options. All my vegetarian and vegan friends were very happy cz of that!

The atmosphere was kinda confusing. It is definitely a good spot to hang out with your friends or celebrate something special. Very casual setting and vibe for a romantic date night though.

https://www.google.com/local/review/rap/report?postId=ChdDSUhNMG9nS0VJQ0FnSUNycmF1WTRBRRAB&d=17924085&t=1

places/ChIJGc36Tzpu3IARgi_t2yqMpVg/reviews/ChdDSUhNMG9nS0VJQ0FnSUNycmF1WTRBRRAB

I was in Oceanside visiting, and took my wife here to eat. We had a reservation and were sat immedietly, and the server explained the food and plates right away.

The drinks were delicious and looked great. We had pork belly skewers, fried chicken, fried rice, and noodles. They recommended 2 dishes a person. The noodles were more up my wife's alley, but had a unique texture. The rice was flavourful and spicy, but could have used more egg yolk. The fried chicken was crispy, and the coconut rice was fluffy. The hot sauce that came with it was very spicy but delicious. I will have DREAMS about those pork belly skewers. I could eat 10 orders. There are only 4 per order.

The dessert was okay, they did not have the Panna cotta, instead it was a banana dessert. I'm not a fan of bananas, but gave it a shot and it was still a mix of flavors and textures.

Dija Mara: Top Southeast Asian Cuisine in Oceanside, CA

Dine In

Takeout

Outdoor Seating

Good for Groups

Serves Vegetarian Food

Serves Beer

Serves Wine

Serves Cocktails

Dija Mara is a culinary gem in Oceanside, California, offering a tantalizing journey through the vibrant flavors of Indonesia. The cozy space features industrial-chic decor and is known for its elegant Southeast Asian dishes, including Nasi Goreng and rendang, all served in a relaxed yet sophisticated atmosphere.

Dija Mara

Savor vibrant flavors at Dija Mara in Oceanside, CA! Indulge in fresh, locally sourced dishes with stunning coastal views. Reserve your table now!

Dija Mara: Top Southeast Asian Cuisine in Oceanside, CA

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