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The diverse and cosmopolitan nature of Jakarta reflects in its culinary art also.
It is a delightful creation of local exotic fare and impressively influenced by
the best of the epicurean extravaganza across the world. Food in Jakarta retains
all the tastes and traits which are evident of its predominantly Muslim identity.
But, the reason to rejoice for the food lovers is that Jakarta acknowledges the
varied abundance of global cuisine and revels in the fascinating fusion which
becomes a natural consequence. You name it and you have it -- from modestly-priced
local dishes to grilled kangaroo, from lychee mocktail to Chateaux Lafitte –
it can never get any better than this.
Jakarta offers the best selection of dining possibilities of any major Indonesian
cities. Options are plenty ranging from street food corners and swanky food
courts in the shopping malls to elegant and expensive fine dinning restaurants
in world class hotels. In case, you don’t have the latest copy of the Jakarta
Food Guide, check out which are the places for good food and what are the dishes
to order for in Jakarta.
What to Eat in Jakarta
If you are tired of the same old dishes served at the average eateries, try
out the exotic while you are on a trip to Jakarta. Original local meals are
incomplete without a cone-shaped pile of long-grain, highly refined rice. The
menu may include a soup, salad or the more commonly sauteed vegetables with
garlic and another main dish. It is accompanied by at least one and often several
delicacies which are known as sambals. Candlenuts, chilli, finger root, ginger,
turmeric, lemon basil, lime leaves, Indonesian bay leaves are the most common
spices and herbs used in the local dishes. You can try out Bakmi Goreng or fried
noodles, Bakwan Malang or meatball noodle soup with fried wontons, Gado-gado
or a mixture of vegetables and crackers with peanut paste and Satay or skewered
barbequed meat.
Now, it’s time to turn back to our good old familiar tastes. If you are
satiated with the Satay or Nasi Padang, go for some other dishes. The amazing
variety of international cuisines in Jakarta include American, Asian, Brazilian,
British, Chinese, Deli, Dutch, European, French, Greek, Indian, Irish, Italian,
Japanese, Korean, Lebanese, Mediterranean, Mexican, Nouvelle, Pizza, Seafood,
Spanish, Steak Houses, Swiss, Thai, Turkish, Vegetarian, Vietnamese and Tex-Mex.
Isn’t the range truly awesome? Taste the best of world cuisine as the long
line up of Japanese, Chinese, Italian, American and Indian restaurants bring
you delicacies from all corners of the world.
Where to Eat in Jakarta
You will find some trendy eateries in Kafe Tenda or Tented Cafés which
are located along the major through fares or at some of the vacant development
zones like Sudirman Central Business District. The Gading Batavia Food Promenade
at Jalan Boulevard Barat and Kelapa gading in north Jakarta are equally good
if you are looking for that real ethnic flavor.
Jalan Thamrin, being the center of Jakarta, displays a good number of eateries.
The Jakarta Theatre building, Sarinah department store, Plaza Indonesia and
the other leading hotels on this street features fabulous dining possibilities
to suit every taste and every budget.
Kemang in South of Jakarta remains the top preferred place of the tourists
who are in quest of some eat-drink-and-be-merry destinations. Kemang is considered
as the place that abounds with the best of eating houses. It brings to you the
choicest of cuisines across the world like Lebanese, Italian, French, Mexican,
American and Brazilian. Not to mention the ethnic local menus.
Jalan Jaksa has legions of restaurants and eating stalls. Visit one of the
side streets of Jalan Jaksa where you can savor tasty Indonesion food prepared
in the original way. Besides the 'rijsttafels', you can find an assortment of
Korean, Thai, Indian, Mexican and American delicacies.
If you are in a mood to splurge, you can check out the restaurants of the five-star
hotels and in the Golden Triangle area where business people are regular customers.
The residential areas such as Kemang, Menteng and Kebayoran Baru also house
a number of excellent restaurants offering international fare.
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