A wide variety of Indonesian food makes everyone confused to choose it. Every region has its typical food. It is Jakarta as well. The typical Jakarta food is dominated by local foods. You will see variants of foods. Jakarta’s food scene looks so tasty. You can select the most delicious Jakarta dish when you visit here.
1. Kerak Telor
Kerak Telor is one of the most famous street foods in Jakarta. This dish is made using chicken or duck eggs, sticky rice, and grated coconut. It is cooked over a charcoal fire until crispy, giving it a unique texture that keeps people coming back for more. The flavor is a delightful mix of sweet and savory, making it a popular snack at traditional markets and cultural festivals.
2. Asinan Betawi (Betawi Pickles)
Asinan Betawi is a refreshing dish with a bold combination of sour, spicy, sweet, and salty flavors. This dish consists of fresh vegetables like lettuce, cabbage, cucumber, yellow tofu, and bean sprouts, mixed with peanuts, sugar, vinegar, and chili. It is often served with yellow crackers to enhance its taste and texture. Asinan Betawi is a must-try for those who enjoy a tangy and crunchy dish.
3. Lontong Sayur Betawi
Lontong Sayur Betawi is a classic breakfast dish commonly found in Jakarta. It consists of rice cakes (lontong) served in a rich and flavorful coconut milk broth. The dish includes long beans, potatoes, chayote, and dried shrimp (ebi), along with aromatic seasonings such as shallots, garlic, ginger, red chili, and grilled shrimp paste. It is typically topped with a boiled egg and crispy Melinjo chips, making it a satisfying meal to start the day.
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4. Soto Betawi
Almost all areas of Indonesia have its typical Soto menu. In Jakarta, you will see Soto Betawi as Jakarta’s food scene. It belongs to a soto menu with coconut milk. The broth is thick with a sweet and salty taste teasing your appetite. The content of Soto Betawi is beef and innards. The toppings are Melinjo chips, cucumber pickles, potato, and tomato. This food is tasty when you eat with warm rice.
5. Gado-Gado
Gado-Gado is a delicious Jakarta food menu. You have to taste and eat this when you visit Jakarta. This Jakarta food contains various vegetables so it is perfect for vegetarians or people who want to boost fibre content. The general vegetable types for Gado-Gado are spinach, potato, corn, cucumber, cabbage, and long beans. If you eat a complete menu, you can add a boiled egg. The contents of Gado-Gado are poured with nut sauce and soybean. To make you full longer, you can add rice and steamed rice.
6. Putu Mayang
A traditional Jakarta food is Putu Mayang. This cake is made of tapioca flour mixed with coconut milk. It looks like small colorful noodles. Putu Mayang is usually served with the sugar soup. This Jakarta food is easily found in traditional markets because many people love this food.
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7. Laksa Betawi
Another type of Jakarta’s food scene is Laksa Betawi. The ingredients to make this are complex so the taste is unique and tasty. For the basic seasoning, you will find red onion, garlic, grilled shrimp paste, ebi, red chili, coconut milk, coriander, turmeric, and others. To make it complete, you can eat it with fried red onion and Melinjo chips.
8. Roti Buaya (Crocodile Bread)
Roti Buaya, or Crocodile Bread, is a symbolic dish in Jakarta, traditionally served at Betawi wedding ceremonies. The bread is shaped like a crocodile and can measure up to one meter in length. It represents loyalty and faithfulness in marriage. Today, Roti Buaya is also available in bakeries and food markets across Jakarta.
9. Rujak Pengantin
Rujak Pengantin is a refreshing Jakarta salad consisting of sliced cabbage, lettuce, boiled eggs, cucumbers, potatoes, and tofu. It is dressed in a flavorful, slightly spicy peanut sauce, making it a perfect combination of sweet, savory, and tangy flavors.
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10. Nasi Ulam (Ulam Rice)
Nasi Ulam is a fragrant rice dish similar to Nasi Uduk but without coconut milk. Instead, it is infused with aromatic herbs such as pandan leaves, bay leaves, galangal, and a hint of salt. It is usually topped with shredded dried coconut and served with side dishes like fried tofu, tempeh, or fried chicken.
Jakarta’s food scene is a paradise for food lovers, offering a wide range of traditional dishes with bold flavors and rich cultural heritage. Whether you are exploring street food stalls or dining in local restaurants, these dishes will give you an authentic taste of Jakarta’s culinary treasures. Enjoy your food adventure in the capital of Indonesia!
