Rumah Mode

Rumah Mode is the most famous factory outlet in a city famed for its shopping. As a result it’s very popular with locals and tourists alike. One advantage is that you won’t stick out like a sore thumb here as there are plenty of Westerners who come looking for bargains. It’s located in Setiabudi, a suburb of Bandung which is reasonably fancy, on the left-hand side of the road as you drive up the hill.

Remember going to clothes shops in the UK and seeing labels saying “Made in Indonesia”? Chances are, that item was made in Bandung. It’s a major city for clothing factories, and as a result, factory outlet stores. Firsts and seconds are massively reduced here – for example, a Ralph Lauren shirt advertised on the label as being worth USD80 was about IDR160.000, or about £10 (Oct 2012). Now I don’t pretend to be interested in fashion, but they are good quality clothes for the price of poor quality clothes in the UK. I was told that Rumah Mode is actually pretty expensive, and the really cheap places are on the way into the centre. But it’s an experience to visit anyway, and well worth it for total bargains.

First you must take an angkot to the McDonalds junction on Jl. Ir. H. Juanda (Dago Street). Get off here. Take care crossing the road (seriously) to the McDonalds corner. Here, looking down Dago Street (not up the hill), you need to cross the road again and turn right, walking down towards the Scarlet Hotel, the nearest recognisable landmark. Now you must catch another angkot, from this side of the road. Make sure it is an angkot to Ledeng (marked Ledeng-Chiheum or Ledeng-Ciyomo). Ask (just say “Ledeng?”) if you’re unsure. Keep your eyes peeled for the big “RUMAH MODE” sign hanging over the road and shout “Kiri kiri” (left) when you see it. The driver will pull into the left. Get out and hand over a 5.000 rupiah note, and expect some change. If you’re lucky like we were a grumpy man on the passenger seat will pay for you and your ride will be free. The best thing to do is look confused and take up people’s time.

Rumah Mode is down its own little sidestreet, with bells hanging above it. It’ll probably be full of people and tour buses, too. It is full of water features and sculptures and is actually quite pleasant, if you ignore the hordes of people (admittedly this is difficult). The water features contain massive carp that I wouldn’t want to feed just in case they take your fingers, too. There is one large shop on the right, towards the end, and lots of cafes, bakeries and restaurants on the left. Apparently the restaurant here is noted for its oxtail soup, but we weren’t about to find out. Once in the shop, which is a closer approximation to hell than KL LCCT, women’s and children’s clothes are on the left, and men’s clothes are on the right. It sounds simple enough but it is pretty confusing.

All-in-all, a couple of hours wandering around Rumah Mode might be stressful, painful and very tiring, but it’s definitely a Bandung experience worth having. And remember – at least it’s not Meadowhall.

PS: Glyn’s claim that his present shopping will be over and done with in ten minutes is not bravado. He is a seriously efficient shopping machine.