Jakarta's Halal Culinary Gems & Souvenir Shopping for Malaysian Travelers

To Malaysian travelers heading to Jakarta, one absolute must-do is a culinary adventure! Don't skip out on exploring everything from traditional Indonesian dishes to the city's currently trending treats. And of course, make sure to try some authentic Indonesian coffee. When it's time to head home, remember to grab some popular local Indonesian brands that Malaysians love as souvenirs from their Indonesian getaways.

Also read : 10 Must-Try Traditional Eid-al Fitr Dishes from Indonesia

Here are some delicious culinary recommendations you absolutely must try when you're in Jakarta, along with souvenirs you should definitely bring back home to Malaysia.

Halal Traditional Food That You Must Try

If Malaysia has Nasi Kandar, then Indonesia has Nasi Padang. And if Malaysia has Nasi Lemak, then Indonesia has Nasi Uduk. These are all traditional Indonesian dishes you can try when you visit Jakarta. Here are some recommended halal traditional eateries that Malaysians absolutely have to check out:

Nasi Padang, Pagi Sore

Image credit : Pagi Sore | Official Instagram

This restaurant first opened in Palembang in 1973. In Jakarta, it now has seven branches.

Their most famous dishes include rendang, beef gulai cincang, ayam pop, and dim sum, among others. For drinks, you can order es puter, mineral water, or soft drinks.

Location: Jalan Cempaka Putih Nomor A5, Cempaka Putih Timur, Cempaka Putih, Central Jakarta.

Nasi Uduk Kebon Kacang Puas Hati Ibu Taty

Image credit : @valedgina

This Nasi Uduk spot, which has been around since 1980, is open from 12:00 PM to 12:00 AM WIB. They offer a wide variety of side dishes and vegetables at affordable prices. Some popular choices include fried intestines, grilled chicken, shrimp satay, and chicken or beef offal.

Location: Jalan Kebon Kacang No. 63, Central Jakarta.

Gado-Gado Boplo

Image credit : Gado-Gado Boplo | Official Instagram

Gado-Gado Boplo is a legendary eatery in Jakarta that's been around since the 1970s. Besides their famous gado-gado, they also serve other dishes like karedok (uncooked version of Gado-Gado), ketoprak, tahu telur, asinan sayur, rujak buah, lontong sayur, lontong cap gomeh, and many more.

Location: Jalan Cikini Raya No.111 10, RT.10/RW.4, Cikini, Menteng District, Central Jakarta.

Remboelan Restaurant, Premium Indonesian Traditional Eatery

Image credit : Remboelan | Official Instagram

You can definitely trust Remboelan for authentic and delicious Indonesian flavors. You can order their popular dishes like Nasi Bogana, Nasi Berkat, Nasi Langgi, Lontong Cap Gomeh, Galantin Komplit, and Tahu Campur Malang.

Remboelan has 14 outlets spread around Jakarta n in several well-known malls.

Location : Plaza Senayan, 3rd Floor, Jl. Asia Afrika No.8, RT.1/RW.3, Gelora, Jakarta Barat

Unique Local Coffee Shop you Should Try

Kopi Tuku

Image credit : Toko Kopi Tuku | Official Instagram

Kopi Tuku is incredibly popular because its coffee tastes so good and is super refreshing. Their Es Kopi Susu Tetangga is the signature drink from this coffee shop, which started in Cipete and Pasar Santa. But now, you can find this famous coffee shop in many different places across Jakarta, including Blok M.

Location: Jl. Sultan Hasanuddin Dalam No.25, RW.1, Melawai, South Jakarta.

Bakoel Koffie Cikini

Image credit : Bakoel Koffie | Official Instagram

Bakoel Koffie is located in an old colonial-era shop house in the Menteng residential area. This classic coffee shop is also quite legendary, having been around since 1978, but it's still very well-maintained.

The concept is like an old-fashioned cafe, complete with vintage decorations, displays, and wooden tables and chairs. You can find a variety of drinks and food here. Their coffee is made from three bean choices: Black Mist (caramel and buttery notes); Heritage 1969 (dark chocolate and molasses); and Brown Cow (hazelnut and almond).

Location: Jl. Cikini Raya No. 25, Cikini, Menteng, Central Jakarta.

Kurasu Kopi

Image credit : @steven_venton

When talking about trendy cafes in Jakarta, Kurasu is one you definitely can't miss. Located in the Senopati area, this spot is already super well-known as a hub for Indonesia's coffee scene.

Kurasu offers a comfortable place to hang out with a very Instagrammable interior design. So, prepare your best outfit when you visit!

Location: Jl. Tulodong Bawah I No.9, Senayan, Kebayoran Baru District, South Jakarta.

Trendy Eats You Must Try in Blok M

Artirasa

Image credit : Artirasa | Official Instagram

A great cheese tart bakeshop in the Blok M area is Artirasa. First there was a delicious cheesecake cafe in Blok M, and now comes Artirasa, offering super fancy and tasty cheese tarts. They open at 12 PM, but customers are already lining up in the morning, and the queue stays busy until evening.

It's not just famous for its strategic location and artistic design; their cheese tarts are genuinely delicious. You'll be satisfied with the super gooey, soft, and fragrant cheese texture, along with a savory-sweet taste that's truly addictive. Besides cheese tarts, this Blok M branch also offers cream cheese puffs with six flavor options.

Location: Jl. Sultan Hasanuddin Dalam Blk. M Mall Lobby Terminal No.4 Blok M, South Jakarta.

Claypot popo

Image credit : @jktfoodbang

In the Blok M area, there's a restaurant called Claypot Popo that serves warm, delicious Chinese dishes. You can try their signature items like Claypot Siram Telur Matang (Claypot with Cooked Egg Pour-Over), Claypot Misua Goreng (Fried Misua Noodles Claypot), or Claypot Sapi Cah Bawang Putih (Beef with Garlic Claypot).

Besides claypot dishes, they also have other tasty options like stir-fried vegetables, fried chicken meatballs, sweet and sour chicken, and steamed bread that are just as good to try.

Location: Jl. Melawai 9 No.38, Melawai, Kebayoran Baru District, Jakarta, Special Capital Region of Jakarta 12160.

Mack’s Creamery

Image credit : Pergi Kuliner

If you're an ice cream lover, you absolutely have to try Mack's Creamery! This popular spot in Blok M offers a wide range of unique and unusual ice cream flavors. Think Roasted Sweet Corn, Maple & Ham, Oat London Fog, Brown Butter Popcorn, Passionfruit & Cantaloupe, Strawberry Ginger Flower Lime, Toasted Vanilla Crunch, and many more. Sounds exciting, right?

Curious about how each flavor tastes? You can actually try several in one cup, with 3 scoops of different flavors!

Besides enjoying it right there in their super Instagrammable space, you can also get Mack's Creamery to-go in their special, attractive packaging.

Address: Jl. Melawai 3 No. 10 Blok M, South Jakarta.

Filosofi Kopi

Image credit : Filosofi Kopi | Official Instagram

This coffee shop is famous from a movie starring Rio Dewanto and Chicco Jerikho. If you're looking for coffee with a strong taste and a trendy cafe ambiance, this is the place.

They have many coffee options, with prices around Rp30,000. However, the most popular orders are the affogato outcast and flat white. Which one will you try?

Location: Integrated Area Blok M Square, Jalan Melawai 6 No. 1, Melawai, Kebayoran Baru District, South Jakarta.

Souvenirs You Must Bring Home to Malaysia

Local Perfumes

Image credit : Plaza Indonesia | Official Instagram

For Malaysian travelers visiting Indonesia, a main goal is often to hunt for local Indonesian perfumes, especially brands like Alchemist. You can find Alchemist perfumes in several malls in Indonesia, such as Senayan City, ASHTA, and Plaza Indonesia.

But Alchemist isn't the only high-quality local Indonesian perfume brand! There are others like HNMS, Project 1945, Onyx, and more. You can find all these local perfumes at Tomorrow World, located in Lippo Mall Nusantara. Besides perfumes, they also offer well-known local fashion brands.

Roti Buaya

Image credit : Cap Roti Buaya | Official Instagram

Roti Buaya is a famous Betawi traditional food with deep cultural meaning. It's not just for special occasions anymore; Roti Buaya can now be enjoyed casually with your coffee. With a variety of toppings, Roti Buaya can offer a richer and more appealing taste experience.

One place offering Roti Buaya with a modern twist is Cap Roti Buaya, located in Mbloc Space, South Jakarta. Mbloc Space itself is a popular hub for culinary, art, and culture among Jakarta's youth. Here, Cap Roti Buaya has successfully brought the tradition of Roti Buaya to a more modern level, making it not only delicious but also fitting for today's lifestyle.

Location: M Bloc Space, Jl. Panglima Polim No.37, RT.1/RW.1, Melawai, Kebayoran Baru District, South Jakarta.

Batik at Thamrin City

Image credit : Tutyqueen | Blogspot

A must-visit spot for Malaysian travelers is usually Thamrin City. This place sells various kinds of batik and traditional kebaya dresses unique to Indonesia. Most vendors here also sell women's hijab clothing, also known as Baju Kurung.

When shopping here, you need to be good at bargaining! Women's tops usually range from 100,000 to 500,000 Indonesian Rupiah, depending on the material and style.

Location : Jl. Thamrin Boulevard, Kb. Melati, Kecamatan Tanah Abang, Kota Jakarta Pusat

Jakarta Cheese Factory

Image credit : Jakarta Cheese Factory | Official Instagram

Jakarta Cheese Factory has long been known as a favorite culinary destination for cheese lovers. Not only do they offer a variety of high-quality processed cheese products, but this place also has a signature dish you must try: their cheese chiffon cake.

The cheese chiffon cake from Jakarta Cheese Factory has a very soft and light texture, perfectly combined with a savory and slightly salty cheese flavor. Each bite of this chiffon cake will spoil your palate with a melt-in-your-mouth cheese sensation. The distinctive cheese aroma will also make it hard for you to stop eating it.

The cheese chiffon cake from Jakarta Cheese Factory is perfect as a special Jakarta souvenir. Besides its delicious taste, this chiffon cake is also beautifully and neatly packaged, making it ideal for giving to family, friends, or colleagues. This souvenir will definitely be a special and memorable gift.

Location: Jl. Timbul 5, Cipedak, Jagakarsa District, South Jakarta & other locations.

Also read : Jakarta-Bandung Panoramic Train: A Must-Know Guide for Muslim Travellers

Jakarta is absolutely packed with amazing food spots you won't want to miss! So, make sure to come with an empty stomach, ready to dive into a delicious culinary adventure. And, of course, don't forget to grab some of Jakarta's unique local treats to bring back home to Malaysia!