Joanna James
A dreamy contrast of old-world elegance and cutting-edge glamour, Jakarta is a carnivalesque cityscape to feast your senses on, with its food culture delighting gastronomes of every calibre. Here are some iconic dishes that will have you hooked in the ‘Big Durian.’
In a timelessly vivacious city rich with heritage-infused enclaves to discover, quirky museums to roam, and Insta-worthy hidden gems to mine, working up a formidable appetite won’t take too long! For a tried-and-true treat that will have your tastebuds zinging with glee, Jakarta’s staple turmeric-tinted fried rice, decked with tender, well-seasoned meats and seafood, as well as egg slices, peppers, shallots, diced vegetables, and a variety of luscious sauces, is the way to go!
If you have been caught up in a whirlwind of exhilarating explorations, a generous bowl of heart-warming comfort broth is the order of the day! While Jakarta’s irresistibly umami mutton soup with its hints of cinnamon and spice, locally beloved chicken feet soup for the soul, and bakso (meatballs) in pungent beef broth are all worth savouring, you simply cannot miss this fragrantly spiced noodle soup with beef tendon, fried shallots, lime, condiments, and soy sauce.
From deep-fried banana fritters slathered in spicy sambal roa and spicy duck egg omelettes to golden-fried breadfruit, half-moon-shaped Betawi coconut cakes, and the subtly flavoursome Popiah roll, Jakarta’s snack game is strong! However, the juicy charcoal-grilled satay skewers of succulent mutton, chicken, or beef are glazed with mouthwatering peanut or pineapple sauce and can be guiltlessly savoured by the dozen.
If you’re looking for a light lunch to sustain an exhilarating day of touring before a gourmet dinner downtown, you can’t go wrong with Indonesia’s colourful and flavour-packed variety of delightfully textured salads! Gado-Gado, which translates to ‘mix-mix’, is a particularly delicious and hearty medley of fresh, crunchy vegetables, tofu, tempeh, eggs, and prawn crackers tossed in lip-smacking peanut sauce, making it an idyllic one-dish meal! If you’re looking for an opulently sophisticated business hotel in Jakarta offering luxurious amenities, venture no further than Oakwood Suites La Maison Jakarta.
A gourmet street food favourite also known as chicken congee, this thick curried broth is the perfect meal to keep you energized throughout your urban and island-hopping adventures, with its heartening combination of shredded chicken, salted veggies, fried scallion, fresh celery, peanuts, and Chinese fried churros, infused with rich condiments along with sambal and gravy for the perfect scoop-worthy mouthful.
Indonesia's desserts showcase its vibrant personality, from pandan-hued pancakes filled with durian puree to sweet fruit cocktails with condensed milk. The country also offers indulgent treats like avocado-coffee milkshakes and homemade spaghetti ice cream adorned with a delightful array of toppings! However, if you fancy a pillowy, honeycomb-sweet pancake stuffed with anything you could dream of, from condensed milk, chocolate, fruit, and/or Nutella to cheesy salmon, savoury egg, or minced meat, then Martabak will satiate you spectacularly!
A true believer that the pen is a mighty weapon, ventures into reaching the minds of every reader with the earnest hope of leaving an indelible stream of thought.
A travel writer who has a passion for fashion and a deep interest in admiring new and exotic attractions around the world.
