4 Top Spots in Jakarta for Indonesian Food

Most Indonesians would probably associate Indonesian food with home: childhood memories, home cooking, or comfort food. The flavour might be bold, spicy, rich, savoury - but the feeling it evokes is all sentimental. For those trying to recapture that feeling in a different atmosphere, do give one of this restaurants a shot!

1. Tugu Kunstkring Paleis

Dining at Tugu Kunstkring Paleis is perhaps best described as ‘a blast from the past’. From the vintage look of the restaurant to its menu, everything is a reminder of the Dutch colonial area. Try its signature rijsttafel menu, created by the Dutch with presentation of Padang food in mind; it serves a variety of mini-sized Indonesian dishes.

2. Kembang Goela

Ten years after opening its door for the first time, Kembang Goela remains one of the top spots for locals and expats to enjoy Indonesian food. The restaurant offers classic Indonesian food, with a touch of Chinese and Dutch flare. Expect cheeky-named dishes such as ‘Asinan Sayoer Nyai Dasimah’, ‘Sosis Oom Yance’ - a one meter long sausage- and ‘Es Jangan Ditanya’.

3. Seribu Rasa

When passing through Jalan Agus Salim at night, Seribu Rasa Menteng is hard to miss; candle-lit tables are visible through the tall windows, exuding an ethereal and romantic ambience. Not only visually pleasing, Seribu Rasa offers flavoursome Indonesian cuisine and seafood that fittingly embodies the literal meaning of ‘seribu rasa’: one thousand flavours.

4. Bebek Tepi Sawah

Bebek Tepi Sawah’s Jakarta outlets may not look as ‘tropical’ as its big sister in Bali, but the food it serves certainly lives up to the high standards. When having doubts on what to order - because everything seems delicious - go for its speciality ‘crispy duck’.

Credits:
Photo and Text by Alexandra Karman