Jakarta, as an international metropolitan city, has a stunning and diverse gastronomic scene. From sweet and sour to pleasant and spicy, your taste buds are in for a treat! While Indonesian culinary heritage dominates the city, you'll also find foreign influences, not to mention the many restaurants that will get you wandering elsewhere.
Street food in Jakarta
Your expat experience in Jakarta will be incomplete if you don't try the local street food at least once, as vendors on every corner will remind you.
To do as the Jakartans do, try the many different types of fritters: crispy tempeh, tofu, sweet potato, bakwan (mixed vegetable fritters), plantain and cireng (fried tapioca starch paste), which will cost you as little as IDR 1,000 (USD 0.06) each.
Following the fritters, you can enjoy other specialties such as Nasi Uduk (fragrant rice) with various toppings, Mie Goreng, Telur Balado and Tempe Orek for breakfast. For the morning snack, you might want to try the Bubur Ayam, Lontong Sayur, Gado-Gado and Ketan Serundeng, not to mention the delicious main dishes of Sate Ayam (chicken satay), Sate Kambing (mutton satay), Sate Padang, Martabak Telor, Ketoprak and Nasi Goreng Tek-Tek.
Halal food in Jakarta
Since Indonesia is the world's largest Muslim-majority country, most restaurants in Jakarta serve halal food, meaning they are free of pork. The country has its own Halal Food Verification and Validation Board, and every establishment is required to have a Halal certificate.
In any case, whether you are a Muslim or not, you will enjoy the many dishes that make up Indonesian cuisine!
International cuisine in Jakarta
Jakarta is a large metropolis where cultural diversity is the key to its gastronomic richness. There are Chinese, Japanese, American, Italian, French, Oriental, etc., restaurants. Some restaurants offer dishes adapted to Indonesian tastes, while others respect the original recipes to the letter.
If you're feeling a little homesick, just do a quick web search, and you're sure to find a restaurant that will make you feel better!
Vegetarian dishes in Jakarta
Vegetarian and vegan dishes are increasingly popular in Jakarta. Currently, many restaurants serve only vegetable dishes. But, parallel to fancy and trendy restaurants, you can find vegan and vegetarian dishes at the street vendors in your neighborhood.
Both tempeh and tofu, two common sources of vegan protein, are key ingredients in Indonesian cuisine. Fried, sautéed, boiled, baked or grilled, they can be adapted to any sauce. Alternatively, let yourself be tempted by dishes such as Sayur Lodeh, Sayur Asem, Gado-Gado, Ketoprak, Rujak, Bakwan Jagung, Pecel, Perkedel and Cap Cay, all based on veggies.
Fine dining in Jakarta
Jakarta is fast emerging as one of Southeast Asia's culinary hotspots, and it's not just because of the glorious street food. Many younger, local Indonesian chefs who have gone out into the world and trained with some of the best chefs in the business are now returning to their home city, and they have a lot to say.
Franco-Asian restaurant August is a great place to start, having debuted on Asia's 50 Best Restaurants in 46th place and being named Indonesia's best restaurant two years in a row. Meanwhile, Vallian Gunawan, owner and chef of Kindling, actually returned to Jakarta after stints in Bali, having been so impressed by the city's growing fine dining scene. His restaurant serves up delightful Asian flavors through French techniques.
Jakarta is increasingly a city where you'll find ambitious tasting menus, unique, inventive fusion concepts, and a new wave of chefs who are busy redefining Indonesian cuisine on the global stage. There's never been a better time to eat here…
Desserts in Jakarta
If you have a sweet tooth, then Jakarta is the perfect city for you, as you can find all kinds of sweets to suit a wide range of taste buds. To keep with tradition, head to an Indonesian restaurant or, even better, to the street vendors in your neighborhood. Local sweet treats include Es Campur, Es Doger, Es Cendol Martabak Manis, Lopis, Kue Pancong, Kue Lapis, Pisang Coklat, Kue Putu, Klepon and Kue Cubit, among others.
You'll also find bakeries, pastry shops and restaurants serving delicious modern and western desserts, such as crepe cakes, cupcakes, churros and Mille donuts, which are especially popular with young Indonesians. For unique flavors, some bakeries merge traditional flavors with modern desserts, such as Klepon Cake or Red Velvet Martabak Manis, and many others.
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