Culinary Hidden Gems in Jakarta that You Might Wanna Know

I personally believe that culinary is not just about food.

It’s about experience, ambiance of the place, the unexplained feeling when the food hits your tongue for the first time. Since I take culinary as a journey, here’s some (personal) recommendations of culinary hidden gems in Jakarta that you might want to know — and try!

FOGO Brazilian BBQ (All You Can Eat)

The Korean/Japanese BBQ grill is happening right now, every corner in the street/mall/business district at least have one kind of these. Gyu-Kaku, Shaburi — Kintan, to the ‘more affordable’ ones like Oppa Galbi, Pocchajang, you named it, the list might goes on and on. But the meat fest is not just spoiling Asian taste. So there’s FOGO, located in Sudirman, Central Jakarta. Previously known as D’Kevin, a nice restaurant in Intiland Tower, that transforming the place into the All-You-Can-Eat Brazilian BBQ named FOGO. With only IDR 125,000++, you can get the best grill, the juicy beef with great sauces (I love the Peri-peri Sauce and the garlic one). Whether it’s medium-rare, cooked well, etc, you can ask it all — and the best part is, you don’t have to grill it by yourself, they will serve it right away to you. So sit back, relax and enjoy your beef, and don’t forget to ask for the grilled pineapple with cinnamon by the end of the meal. Bet you’re gonna love it.

Claypot Popo

Have you heard about this one? Well it’s quite famous now, but some of my friends and colleague haven’t tried it yet, so do you probably. Located in the center of Jakarta, specifically in Sabang. You can find it Jl. H. Agus Salim no 23B. A petite, classic shop with heavy-vintage ornaments inside the building. A classic recipe combined with nostalgic ambiance would never go wrong. Try Claypot Siram Telur Matang or/and Claypot Misua Tahu Telur Asin, you’ll get bowl(s) of comfort food, simple cuisine with authentic taste. Claypot Popo also opened a new branch in Kelapa Gading, North Jakarta.

Asagao Coffee

Yup. Coffee (and Boba) is basically everywhere in Jakarta. From the well known ones to the street vendors’ style, you can get a cup of coffee basically anytime you like. But, if you’re into art — or at least want to sip a cup of coffee with more soothing, calming, full of expensive art ambiance, try Asagao Coffee, located inside Masterpiece Art Cafe, Cempaka Putih, Central Jakarta. If you crave some snack to fulfill your sweet tooth, try their Kawaii Pie (yes, they named it that way). They have chocolate pie and black rice pie, I recommend to try the chocolate one. Even though the place is quite classy and elegant, the price of the coffee and snacks (and they have some meals too) are very affordable. Oh, also try the tea. You can pick 1 out of 4 options based on the dried tea leaves at the barista place, I was went with the Mango one and I loved it ever since.

Sushi Itoph

The tuna chunk is THAT BIG for the Poke Bowl, the sushi platter is really big, and the price is quite affordable. The place is very Japanese, very authentic. Located in Kelapa Gading. Well I know there’s Sushi Hiro nearby that is more well known, but this sushi place is also a must-try, I gotta say.

Bubur Ayam Amburadul (Ropita Gading)

I was about to put ‘Bubur Barito’ in this list but I realized that it’s not a hidden gem because I bet lots of Jakartan know it already. But what kind of porridge that share the similar taste like Barito’s but everybody might haven’t heard it yet? Bubur Cap Tiger? Nah, skip it, Senoparty peeps know it already. Guess what, it’s Bubur Ayam Amburadul, Kelapa Gading. It’s very modest, a street vendor that sell Indomie, Roti Bakar and Bubur Ayam. The concept is very simple, just like other street vendor at night, but I’d say the taste is quite leveled up than the rest. You should try Bubur Ayam with Telur 1/2 Matang (chicken porridge with half-boiled egg), and if you like, put some pepper on top. The sambal is nice too, don’t forget to mix it all up (but if you don’t, that’s fine also am no judging), then you have it, a bowl of comfort food at night, the best (cheap) self-reward after a long day at work. It’s located near Wisma Gading Permai (WGP) Kelapa Gading.

The list will be updated significantly, so keep in touch, I might add up some for you. Cheers!