Speaking of street foods, Jakarta always captures foodies’ attention to experiment with varied tastes. The melting pot capital is where the most colorful blend of delicacies originated. The Chinese, Malay and Sundanese influences on Betawi dishes are very strong (Betawi refers to “Batavia,” the Dutch name of old Jakarta). You can find street food stands and vendors almost in every corner of this congested city. We’ve narrowed down our top 10 foods to try. So check them out!
1. Ketoprak (rice cake with peanut sauce)
Are you a vegetarian? Try the typical Betawi dish called Ketoprak. You will be excited to delight in its peanuty, spicy and sweet flavor. This legendary street food is made of fried tofu chunks, lontong (Indonesian compressed rice cake), rice vermicelli, sliced cabbage, bean sprout and boiled egg. They are served with peanut dressing, fried shallots, rice crackers and spicy sambal.
Ketoprak Ciragil
Address: JL. Cikatomas, II/24, Kebayoran Baru, Jakarta Selatan, DKI Jakarta 12180
Price: 18,000 IDR (1.35 USD)
Opening Hours: 9.30 am to 7 pm
2. Gorengan (Indonesian deep fried snack)
Gorengan, which means “fried food,” is the most popular snack in the entire region. You can opt for different bases from banana to cassava, to tofu, yam and tempeh (fermented soy bean). Everything is deep fried and served hot. Dipping it in hot chili sauce is the best way to enjoy this greasy food.
Aneka Gorengan
Address: Pasaraya Grande, Lantai Lower Ground, Dapuraya, Jl. Iskandarsyah II, Melawai, Jakarta
Price: From 1,000 IDR (0.08 USD)
3. Kerak Telor (egg crust)
An egg crust, or as the locals call it, kerak telor, is a unique Betawi dish to try. The omelet-looking street food is made of a combination of egg and glutinous rice, slowly cooked on hot charcoal. It’s served with dried shrimp, crunchy fried shallot, and fried shredded coconut (serundeng). Kerak telor is regarded as the city’s cultural heritage.
Jajanan Kerak Telor
Address: Kota Tua, Jakarta
Price: From 15,000 IDR (1.1 USD)
4. Martabak Manis (sweet pancake)
Martabak manis is a type of Indonesian dessert, popular across the country. It’s a soft pancake stuffed with some variations like condensed milk, peanuts, chocolate, nutella, cheese and much more. The buttery sweet flavor is the highlight. The martabak vendors usually sell another savory version, made of egg and meat.
Martabak Boss
Address: Jl. Yusuf Adiwinata No. 33,Menteng, Jakarta
Price: 50,000 IDR (3.75 USD)
5. Ketupat Sayur (rice cake and veggies)
Ketupat sayur is a typical Betawi breakfast dish you can get from a vendor with a pushing cart in Jakarta. What you have on your plate is the ketupat (compressed rice cake wrapped in coconut leaves) and spicy coconut milk soup along with sliced green papaya, string bean, and young jack fruit. To eat this, crackers are the best companions.
Ketupat Sayur Haji Mahmud
Address: Jl. Raya Kby. Lama, RT.1/RW.13, Grogol Utara, Kby. Lama, Kota Jakarta Selatan
Price: 15,000 IDR (1.1 USD)
Opening Hours: 7 am to 5 pm
6. Soto Betawi (Jakarta beef soup)
Soto Betawi is a spicy soupy dish highly recommended when you visit Jakarta. Unlike other soto dishes commonly having clear broth, soto Betawi is very thick. It comprises of coconut milk, beef, and some aromatic spices like galangal and lemon grass. The steamed rice and condiments (fried shallot, emping crackers and lime juice) are enjoyed together with the soup.
Soto Betawi Haji Husein
Address: Jl. Padang Panjang No. 6C, Kel. Pasar Manggis, Kec. Setiabudi, RT.8/RW.8, Ps. Manggis, Kota Jakarta Selatan
Opening Hours: 7 am to 2 pm
Price: 30,000 IDR (2.25 USD)
7. Nasi Uduk Betawi (steamed coconut rice)
Nasi uduk Betawi is basically steamed rice cooked in aromatic coconut milk (usually with bay leaves and lemon grass). This widely known specialty is eaten with some additional dishes such as semur jengkol (giant stink bean stew), sambal kacang (spicy peanut sauce), balado stewed egg, fried vermicelli noodle, and sambal goreng tempe (sauteed tempeh).
Nasi Uduk Kebon Kacang Zainal Fanani
Address: Jalan Kebon Kacang 8 No. 5, Tanah Abang, RT.1/RW.5, Kb. Kacang, Kota Jakarta Pusat
Opening Hours: 10 am to 12 am
Price: 2,000 to 15,000 IDR (0.15 to 1.13 USD)
8. Otak-Otak (grilled fish cake)
Otak-Otak which literally means “brains” is definitely recommended for savory street food lovers. The fish paste (mostly made from wahoo fish) is combined with coconut milk, some aromatic spices including lemongrass and ginger then grilled in banana leaves. To enrich the flavorful taste, dip it in spicy peanut sauce.
Otak-Otak Sangaji
Address: Jl A.M. Sangaji, Petojo, Jakarta
Opening Hours: 8 am to 7 pm
Price: 7,500 IDR (0.5 USD)
9. Laksa Betawi (Jakarta coconut soup)
Laksa Betawi is another soupy food using light coconut milk and chicken. The typical curry dish is different from Malay or Singaporean laksa. It’s super rich in flavor due to the big amount of spices like kaffir lime leaves, galangal, red chilies, turmeric, and coriander. Don’t forget to add fresh basil, boiled egg and vermicelli noodles while devouring it.
Laksa Betawi Assirot
Address: Jalan Assirot No. 1, Kebon Jeruk, RT.1/RW.3, Grogol Sel., Kby. Lama, Jakarta Selatan
Opening Hours: 10 am to 9 pm
Price: 18,000 IDR (1.35 USD)
10. Rujak Juhi (mixed salad with dried squid)
Are you craving for salad? Rujak juhi would satisfy you. This dish has much Chinese influence, uniquely using “juhi” (dried squid). The gado-gado looking salad consists of juhi, yellow noodles, tofu, steamed potato, lettuce, and cucumber. Those ingredients are topped with tasty peanut sauce and rice crackers.
Rujak Juhi Petojo H. Misbach
Address: Jl. Petojo Binatu Raya, RT.1/RW.8, Petojo Utara, Gambir, Kota Jakarta Pusat
Opening Hours: 10 am to 10 pm
Price: 14,000 (1.05 USD)
Jakarta is the right place to hunt down the best street food
If you are discovering Jakarta, never miss trying its incredible street foods for your crazy culinary adventure. Scattered across the city’s streets, the energetic vendors offer a range of colorful Betawi dishes with amazing taste, uneasy to be forgotten.
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