Jakarta - Restaurants

[Gaijin Gigolo]

I stumbled on a hidden jewl this afternoon, not just the 20 year old cutie I fucked in the grimey back alley hotel but also a nice steak restaurant hidden in plain sight on Mangga Besar. It's a cpl blocks West of the Sparks Life Hotel. Similar to Jonisteak but with more options on thr menu. I even saw pork ribs on the menu but they said it was sold out. Prices were a bit more affordable than Jonisteak. I got the aussie tenderloin and a salad. The ambience was also quite nice. With strong Aircon and big spacious tables and not so packed like Jonisteak. Also not as many mosquitos either.

Here's some pictures of the menu with the prices (prices include tax and service charge by the way) and a picture of the meal I ordered.

I give the place a 4 out of 5 rating. I think the steak portion was a little on the small side compared to Jonisteak but other than that everything else was great. So if you're in the area I do recommend for a cheap lunch.

Gabacho.

That looks great! I'll definitely have some grill salmon steak for 80,000 IDR. Thanks for sharing.

[Gabacho]

I stumbled on a hidden jewl this afternoon, not just the 20 year old cutie I fucked in the grimey back alley hotel but also a nice steak restaurant hidden in plain sight on Mangga Besar. It's a cpl blocks West of the Sparks Life Hotel. Similar to Jonisteak but with more options on thr menu. I even saw pork ribs on the menu but they said it was sold out. Prices were a bit more affordable than Jonisteak. I got the aussie tenderloin and a salad. The ambience was also quite nice. With strong Aircon and big spacious tables and not so packed like Jonisteak. Also not as many mosquitos either.

Here's some pictures of the menu with the prices (prices include tax and service charge by the way) and a picture of the meal I ordered.

I give the place a 4 out of 5 rating. I think the steak portion was a little on the small side compared to Jonisteak but other than that everything else was great. So if you're in the area I do recommend for a cheap lunch.

Gabacho.

[KrisMonger]

Jakarta has limited Vegetarian choices:

+ Food Centrum in Kemayoran
This is a small Mall with multiple Restaurants, Starbucks and local Coffee shops. It is connected to the DoubleTree Hotel (Hilton brand). Imperial Tables offers the Oriental Salad. Tell the waitress you don't want the Chicken in the salad. You can also get sweet corn soup. You can walk around and browse the Menu of other Restaurants in Food Centrum. You may get lucky and find a dish.

+ Om Spice Mystery (Indian)
When you come out of Food Centrum, cross the Road (this can be a challenge during Peak traffic) and walk 200 meters towards Mandiri Bank. This Restaurant has an extensive menu: Green Salad, Peanut Masala Salad (good Appetizer but quite filling), Rice dishes (Biryani, Cumin Rice etc). On weekends evenings, it can get busy. So don't be shy to call for help if your Order is delayed or you need to order something else. If you want the food customized (less oil or butter) ask for Mr. Suraj. He is the Head Chef. During afternoon when its less busy, Suraj sits behind the Cashier counter.

+ Shahi Tadka (Indian)
This Restaurant is in Sunter on the *opposite* side of Sunter Mall. A great option if you are staying in Sunter or Kelapa Gading.
The Menu is extensive and comparable to Om Spice Mystery. The Service is better.
However, this Restaurant is 10% more expensive than Om Spice. On weekend evenings, it can get busy due to Birthday Parties or large Indian family gatherings.

+ Queens Tandoor (Central Jakarta)
This is an upscale Restaurant with good ambience. Expensive Indian Restaurant $$$.
For a single person meal with non-alcoholic drink you will spend 400,000+ Rupiah.
Good choice if you have a date and want to impress her.

If you find any new Vegetarian choices please post here. Enjoy!

~BKK

Queen's Tandoor is a nice classy restaurant but definitely on the expensive side.

Ganesha Ek Sanskriti is also good and it has a branch in Bali as well.

[ArnoldNe]

I tried the following restaurants a few times.

1. Martabak Har. It's one of the best Indian / Pakistani food, about 3 minutes walk from Classic. My favorites are Cane Telor (Egg Parotta), Naan Daal Kari, Vegetable Biriyani, Sweet Lassi.

2. Vegexpress Jayakarta. It's a small hole in the wall vegan place, about 10 minutes walk from Kota Indah. Food is amazing.

3. Kantin China. It's in Mangga Besar, right next to Luminor Kota. Even though they don't have a vegetarian entree in the menu, they can custom make Vegetable fried rice, noodle, stir fried veggies.

4. Joni Steak. It's also closer to Classic. They make an excellent Fettucine pasta.

5. Kota Kasablanka, Grand Indonesia, Pasar Baru, Lokasari Plaza malls they all have vegetarian options.

I never had trouble finding vegetarian options in Jakarta, or even in Bandung, Bogor a lot smaller cities for that matter. It may not be obvious, just ask, they will happily recommend or fix something for you.

Thank you for sharing these suggestions, just scraped the internet and found some more options (some are already mentioned by you and BKKGuru).

Udupi Shree Krishna.

Ganesha Ek Sanskriti Kemayoran.

Zanas Indian Fusion Cuisine.

Catappa Restaurant.

Udupi Delicious.

Indian Delitz Restaurant.

Om Spice Mystery.

Cilok Goang Jago.

Indian Paratha Hut Veg.

Terrace Bollywood Caf.

The Silk Route Restaurant.

Indian Delitz.

Gunpowder Kitchen & Bar.

[Gaijin Gigolo]

I'm planning my virgin trip in the summer. Can you guys recommend the best Mie Goreng restaurant? I ate it for the first time on Bali in that famous, touristy coffee restaurant, and it was so incredible, that I tried it in several other eateries around the island. Not even close! I also tried some Indonesian and Malaysian restaurants in NYC. It was quite ordinary, not like that incredible burst of flavors I experienced on Bali. Any recommendations?

Basically any stall on any street in the city.

[Xpartan]

I'm planning my virgin trip in the summer. Can you guys recommend the best Mie Goreng restaurant? I ate it for the first time on Bali in that famous, touristy coffee restaurant, and it was so incredible, that I tried it in several other eateries around the island. Not even close! I also tried some Indonesian and Malaysian restaurants in NYC. It was quite ordinary, not like that incredible burst of flavors I experienced on Bali. Any recommendations?

[June Fly]

Hi All,

I am a first time visitor to Jakarta, can anyone recommend any suitable places to find vegetarian or egg based food or maybe Indian restaurants?

I tried the following restaurants a few times.

1. Martabak Har. It's one of the best Indian / Pakistani food, about 3 minutes walk from Classic. My favorites are Cane Telor (Egg Parotta), Naan Daal Kari, Vegetable Biriyani, Sweet Lassi.

2. Vegexpress Jayakarta. It's a small hole in the wall vegan place, about 10 minutes walk from Kota Indah. Food is amazing.

3. Kantin China. It's in Mangga Besar, right next to Luminor Kota. Even though they don't have a vegetarian entree in the menu, they can custom make Vegetable fried rice, noodle, stir fried veggies.

4. Joni Steak. It's also closer to Classic. They make an excellent Fettucine pasta.

5. Kota Kasablanka, Grand Indonesia, Pasar Baru, Lokasari Plaza malls they all have vegetarian options.

I never had trouble finding vegetarian options in Jakarta, or even in Bandung, Bogor a lot smaller cities for that matter. It may not be obvious, just ask, they will happily recommend or fix something for you.

[Scarer]

In my recent trip I tried and liked these options.

Dewata (Balinese cuisine) - Quite expensive.

Pagi Sore (Indonesian cuisine) - Ordered on GoJek.

RamenYa. Cheap Japanese noodle outlet located in malls.


For Indian food, Ganesha Ek Sanskriti is usually a good option. I tried it in Bali and seems like they have branches in Jakarta too. Decent Indian food that tastes really like Indian food.

[Tryntry]

For those not on a budget, try this place.

It's cheap compared the what you get in the US.

Walk in go the the right and see the live seafood tanks and pick your items (some items are discounted 25%) tell them how you want it cooked.

My wing man and I usually pick a steamed fish and a half-1 kilo shrimp poach (have different dipping sauces at the front near the cashier) or fried, add a vegetable, rice and we're good.

[ArnoldNe]

Jakarta has limited Vegetarian choices:

+ Food Centrum in Kemayoran
This is a small Mall with multiple Restaurants, Starbucks and local Coffee shops. It is connected to the DoubleTree Hotel (Hilton brand). Imperial Tables offers the Oriental Salad. Tell the waitress you don't want the Chicken in the salad. You can also get sweet corn soup. You can walk around and browse the Menu of other Restaurants in Food Centrum. You may get lucky and find a dish.

+ Om Spice Mystery (Indian)
When you come out of Food Centrum, cross the Road (this can be a challenge during Peak traffic) and walk 200 meters towards Mandiri Bank. This Restaurant has an extensive menu: Green Salad, Peanut Masala Salad (good Appetizer but quite filling), Rice dishes (Biryani, Cumin Rice etc). On weekends evenings, it can get busy. So don't be shy to call for help if your Order is delayed or you need to order something else. If you want the food customized (less oil or butter) ask for Mr. Suraj. He is the Head Chef. During afternoon when its less busy, Suraj sits behind the Cashier counter.

+ Shahi Tadka (Indian)
This Restaurant is in Sunter on the *opposite* side of Sunter Mall. A great option if you are staying in Sunter or Kelapa Gading.
The Menu is extensive and comparable to Om Spice Mystery. The Service is better.
However, this Restaurant is 10% more expensive than Om Spice. On weekend evenings, it can get busy due to Birthday Parties or large Indian family gatherings.

+ Queens Tandoor (Central Jakarta)
This is an upscale Restaurant with good ambience. Expensive Indian Restaurant $$$.
For a single person meal with non-alcoholic drink you will spend 400,000+ Rupiah.
Good choice if you have a date and want to impress her.

If you find any new Vegetarian choices please post here. Enjoy!

~BKK

Many thanks, I will be visiting in January '25.

I will post my findings during my visit.

[BKKguru]

Hi All,

I am a first time visitor to Jakarta, can anyone recommend any suitable places to find vegetarian or egg based food or maybe Indian restaurants?

Jakarta has limited Vegetarian choices:

+ Food Centrum in Kemayoran
This is a small Mall with multiple Restaurants, Starbucks and local Coffee shops. It is connected to the DoubleTree Hotel (Hilton brand). Imperial Tables offers the Oriental Salad. Tell the waitress you don't want the Chicken in the salad. You can also get sweet corn soup. You can walk around and browse the Menu of other Restaurants in Food Centrum. You may get lucky and find a dish.

+ Om Spice Mystery (Indian)
When you come out of Food Centrum, cross the Road (this can be a challenge during Peak traffic) and walk 200 meters towards Mandiri Bank. This Restaurant has an extensive menu: Green Salad, Peanut Masala Salad (good Appetizer but quite filling), Rice dishes (Biryani, Cumin Rice etc). On weekends evenings, it can get busy. So don't be shy to call for help if your Order is delayed or you need to order something else. If you want the food customized (less oil or butter) ask for Mr. Suraj. He is the Head Chef. During afternoon when its less busy, Suraj sits behind the Cashier counter.

+ Shahi Tadka (Indian)
This Restaurant is in Sunter on the *opposite* side of Sunter Mall. A great option if you are staying in Sunter or Kelapa Gading.
The Menu is extensive and comparable to Om Spice Mystery. The Service is better.
However, this Restaurant is 10% more expensive than Om Spice. On weekend evenings, it can get busy due to Birthday Parties or large Indian family gatherings.

+ Queens Tandoor (Central Jakarta)
This is an upscale Restaurant with good ambience. Expensive Indian Restaurant $$$.
For a single person meal with non-alcoholic drink you will spend 400,000+ Rupiah.
Good choice if you have a date and want to impress her.

If you find any new Vegetarian choices please post here. Enjoy!

~BKK

[ArnoldNe]

Hi All,

I am a first time visitor to Jakarta, can anyone recommend any suitable places to find vegetarian or egg based food or maybe Indian restaurants?

[Vendelo]

I was in Jakarta last week. Four to five locals recommended that I try a meatball noodle soup called Bakso. I stayed at Luminor, which is literally next to Emporium. A girl at the Luminor front counter suggested I go to Bakso Awan Kingkit for a bowl of basko. Its right across the street and down an alley. I highly recommend!

https://maps.app.goo.gl/R4H2bVc4vtPD...s.preview.copy

[Volterra]

You guys complaining about food in Jakarta and eating bad cheap steak don't know what you are talking about. I have had amazing food in Jakarta at ridiculously low prices. If you want steak, go to the Japanese steak house on the second floor of Citiwalk Gaja Meda mall. All you can eat premium Japanese BBQ for about 250-350 K depending on meat cuts. If you want Chinese, go a few meters past the Novotel into the shopping plaza. There is an amazing Sichuan hot pot restaurant there. The Chinese skewer place between HI and Novtel is also very good. If you want roof top high end dining try Chou Chou in Central Jarkarta. I have also had fabulous Sushi in random malls. Seriously, venture more than a 100 m from Classic and you will find amazing food at fraction of prices in the West. And that's before even talking about local fare which is also very good.

In addition to these good recommendations by EA, I have a couple high recommendations.

If you're staying near Classic / Emporium at hotels like Luminor, Movenpick (freaking excellent stay, I'll post later), or Redtop, the Vietnamese noodle place Pho Bac is great for loading up before or between punts. You can get a super bowl of Viet beef noodle soup and plate of spring rolls and drink for under US $10, which is still a bit steep for Jakarta but won't break you.

Plenty of reports have given high marks for local Indo food, and I got to underline and bold that. Thai is of course the easy fav, and coming from a month in PH where the food is absolute shit, anything can seem good. HI restaurant has nice western food itself. But local Indo food at these Rumah Makan joints that you see every block or so can be gold mines. They are the places with bowls of chicken, fish, beef, egg, and veggie dishes stacked like legos in the big front windows. Some interiors are not so inviting, but some are decent and food is fucking explosive with flavor. Usually spices and curries or other sauces.

For dudes staying at Holiday Inn, just walk 3 minutes up to Chinatown and just inside the Ctown entrance to the right is this Rumah Makan Minang Sepakat, see pics below. Its usually quiet because they mainly do delivery, but its clean and delicious. At these places, you just start with rice on the plate then you can pick as many dishes as you want. I recommend 1 meat dish (the fish I had was mucho good), 1 egg (they do thick stacked omelets and different kinds of hard boiled eggs that are shelled and stewed in curry sauce), and a couple of veggie dishes (they do bamboo shoots, eggplant, and a braised tempeh / tofu square. Cost is 40 k or only $2. 50 for a fucking feast. Load up before you take off for the bars and spas or between mongering runs and you'll have stamina like you never knew existed.

Next to the Minang Sepakat is also a nice Chinese la mian noodle joint. Also a great option, and you can even load up on takeaway "rou jia mou" which are little pita burgers with spices. Take a few back to your room for late night pounding with beer and HBO. Happy eating, drinking and mongering men.

[Expat American]

You guys complaining about food in Jakarta and eating bad cheap steak don't know what you are talking about. I have had amazing food in Jakarta at ridiculously low prices. If you want steak, go to the Japanese steak house on the second floor of Citiwalk Gaja Meda mall. All you can eat premium Japanese BBQ for about 250-350 K depending on meat cuts. If you want Chinese, go a few meters past the Novotel into the shopping plaza. There is an amazing Sichuan hot pot restaurant there. The Chinese skewer place between HI and Novtel is also very good. If you want roof top high end dining try Chou Chou in Central Jarkarta. I have also had fabulous Sushi in random malls. Seriously, venture more than a 100 m from Classic and you will find amazing food at fraction of prices in the West. And that's before even talking about local fare which is also very good.