Photography
If you love analog photography and you didn't pack enough rolls on this trip, you gotta drop by Soup. Fresh 135 and 120s, from Kodak to Cinestill. They got you covered. And wash/scan service!
Soup 'N Film
No.68 Jl. PalatehanIf you love analog photography and you didn't pack enough rolls on this trip, you gotta drop by Soup. Fresh 135 and 120s, from Kodak to Cinestill. They got you covered. And wash/scan service!
Shopping
STC, as its commonly known, is a tower of goodies. From laptop repair shops to outdoor/diving retailers and from analog camera resellers to vape shops, it's the place to go if you need something for your trip in Indonesia.
Senayan Trade Center
No.1 GeloraSTC, as its commonly known, is a tower of goodies. From laptop repair shops to outdoor/diving retailers and from analog camera resellers to vape shops, it's the place to go if you need something for your trip in Indonesia.
One of the epicenters of alternative culture in Jakarta. A thriving wet market that's been taken over by Jakarta's alt-scene. You can find the city's only darkroom rental, some of the best vinyl collections, vintage/pre-love resellers, tailors, coffee shops and more
Pasar Santa station
One of the epicenters of alternative culture in Jakarta. A thriving wet market that's been taken over by Jakarta's alt-scene. You can find the city's only darkroom rental, some of the best vinyl collections, vintage/pre-love resellers, tailors, coffee shops and more
Neighborhoods
Jalan Cipete (Chee-puh-tay) or Cipete Street is the city's unofficial coffee district boasting a whopping 40 coffee shops in its tiny area. Some of Jakarta's top roasters and players have set up shop here. A trip to Jakarta can't be complete without trying a true cup of Java from Cipete.
Jalan Cipete Raya
Jalan Cipete RayaJalan Cipete (Chee-puh-tay) or Cipete Street is the city's unofficial coffee district boasting a whopping 40 coffee shops in its tiny area. Some of Jakarta's top roasters and players have set up shop here. A trip to Jakarta can't be complete without trying a true cup of Java from Cipete.
Food scene
Padang cuisine is famous for Rendang and the buffet style eating. Simply walk in, tell the host your party size, sit down and wait for the food to show up. You get charged by how much you eat. This spot is a well-known chain from Padang, Sumatra
Ask for:
Krupuk Siram (crew-pook see-rahm) - beef skin chips like chicharron or pork rinds drenched in some savory orange sauce
18 personas locales recomiendan
Pagi Sore
2 Jl. Cipete RayaPadang cuisine is famous for Rendang and the buffet style eating. Simply walk in, tell the host your party size, sit down and wait for the food to show up. You get charged by how much you eat. This spot is a well-known chain from Padang, Sumatra
Ask for:
Krupuk Siram (crew-pook see-rahm) - beef skin chips like chicharron or pork rinds drenched in some savory orange sauce
You can't substitute street food. But if you're not ready for it, Sate Khas Senayan is a legendary restaurant serving some of the best chicken sate in the city since the 60s. They've since expanded with several branches around the city and offer a variety of Indonesian dishes beyond nasi goreng and mie goreng. You can't beat the original location.
Sate & Seafood Senayan
6 Jl. Pakubuwono VIYou can't substitute street food. But if you're not ready for it, Sate Khas Senayan is a legendary restaurant serving some of the best chicken sate in the city since the 60s. They've since expanded with several branches around the city and offer a variety of Indonesian dishes beyond nasi goreng and mie goreng. You can't beat the original location.
Despite what you may have heard, Jakarta's bar scene is quite good. That said the Union Group is quite possibly the best when it comes to serving cocktails. These bartenders aren't your dive-bar -shoot-pouring-guys, these gentlemen prepare proper drinks.
6 personas locales recomiendan
Union Brasserie, Bakery & Bar
No.8 Jl. Asia Afrika Despite what you may have heard, Jakarta's bar scene is quite good. That said the Union Group is quite possibly the best when it comes to serving cocktails. These bartenders aren't your dive-bar -shoot-pouring-guys, these gentlemen prepare proper drinks.
Kopi Tuku was a cultural phenomenon. Originally a passion outlet for a cafe business owner to channel in his love for coffee turned out to be one of the most popular coffee shops in the city with his take on a simple iced coffee with milk. Since then, President Jokowi has visited and plenty of cafe owners imitating his iced coffee recipe.
6 personas locales recomiendan
Toko Kopi TUKU - Cipete
7 BKopi Tuku was a cultural phenomenon. Originally a passion outlet for a cafe business owner to channel in his love for coffee turned out to be one of the most popular coffee shops in the city with his take on a simple iced coffee with milk. Since then, President Jokowi has visited and plenty of cafe owners imitating his iced coffee recipe.
If you're getting down and dirty with street food, you can't miss this legendary spot. Martabak is Indonesia's version of crumpets. The English kind is nowhere near Indonesia's giant sweet-laden dessert. Two pieces and you're good. Save the rest for later or share with friends. This spot is another legend.
They got all sorts of flavors now but I love the Polos (po-los) which is just butter, sugar and condensed milk.
Martabak
No.65 A Jl. PecenonganIf you're getting down and dirty with street food, you can't miss this legendary spot. Martabak is Indonesia's version of crumpets. The English kind is nowhere near Indonesia's giant sweet-laden dessert. Two pieces and you're good. Save the rest for later or share with friends. This spot is another legend.
They got all sorts of flavors now but I love the Polos (po-los) which is just butter, sugar and condensed milk.
Consejos para la ciudad
Cómo moverse
Download the GoJek app
This app crushes Uber and whatever on-demand service app exists elsewhere. Started from a motorcycle-taxi hailing app to a one-stop-shop app from getting food, buying concert tickets, grabbing essentials at the store, sending packages and even doing your make-up/hairdo for you date. It's the most essential app to have in Jakarta.
Cómo moverse
MRT your way into downtown
The capital's MRT line runs north and south of the city, following Fatmawati and Sudirman streets. It's the quickest way to get into downtown or Bunderan HI (Hotel Indonesia roundabout). Have cash on hand to buy a single trip or multi-trip card. Pay-by-distance system with the most expensive stop will set you back only Rp. 14.000.
Frases útiles
"Excuse me" and "Thank You" go a long way here
Locals anywhere love it when you try to speak their language.
Basics
Permisi (per-mee-see) : Excuse me
Halo (haa-low) : Hello
Pagi (paa-ghee) : Morning (4am - 10am)
Siang (see-ang) : Afternoon (11am - 2pm)
Sore (so-ray) : Late afternoon (3pm - 6pm)
Malam (maa-lahm) : Evening (7pm - 3am?)
Siap (see-up) : Ok / Ready
Baik (bah-ik) : Good
Jelek (juh-lek) : Bad
Maaf (maa-aaf) : Sorry
Makasih (maa-kaa-see) : Thank you
Hati-hati (haa-tee haa-tee) : Take care
Selamat jalan (suh-lah-mut jaa-lund) : Have a safe trip
Frases útiles
Buy the local way
Traditional markets don't have prices. So you have to ask. Here's some words to help you haggle. FYI, these phrases help in other situations where prices aren't fixed or displayed (tour guides, buying souvenirs, etc.)
Lagi lihat aja (lah-ghee lee-awt aa-jaa) : Just looking around
Ada ukuran (aw-daa oo-koo-run) : You got sizes?
Ini berapa (ee-knee buh-raa-paa) : How much is this?
Bisa kurang ga (bee-saa koo-rung ga') : Can you do better?
Pasnya berapa (paws-nya buh-raa-paa) : What's the lowest you can do?
Ayo dong (aw-yo dong) : Come on
Costumbres y cultura
Don't address someone by name only
Indonesians use titles like in Spanish. Unless you know them, it's rude to address someone by name only.
Bapak / Pak (bah-pa' / pa') - Mister (bapak also means father)
Ibu / Bu (ee-boo / boo) - Madam (ibu also means mother)
Mba (mm-ba') - Miss
Mas (mahs) - title for a young male adult or grown adult
Ade (aw-de') - title for a younger female or male
Abang / Bang (aw-bawng / bawng) - similar to Mas but more general since Mas is for a Javanese person
Tante (tahn-tuh) - title for older woman you feel close (also means auntie)
Om (ohm) - title for older man you feel close (also means uncle)
Qué empacar
Charcoal tablets or your favorite digestive medicine
Southeast asia is known for its street food. Indonesia, particularly Jakarta, has some sold contenders among its neighbors. So a trip to Jakarta or any city for that matter is not complete without trying the street fare. Hygiene ain't the greatest but I used to visit Indonesia with a saying, "If you don't get an upset stomach, you haven't experienced Indonesia properly." So bring plenty of digestives with you if you're planning to have a food adventure.