Street food is a staple of Jakarta’s culinary landscape. It’s got something for everyone, from the budget-conscious to those looking to indulge in an extravagant meal. If you’re new to Jakarta and want to find out what it has to offer without trying too many different dishes that might overwhelm your palate, this blog post will give you some recommendations on what you should try!
Siomay
Siomay is a dish of steamed fish dumplings with peanut sauce usually served on a banana leaf. Siomay comes in different sizes and shapes, but the most common kind has two pieces of “lumpia” (spring rolls) with a piece of fish cake in between. There are also other varieties, including shrimp siomay and egg siomay, but the traditional kind is definitely what you should try first!
Siomay originated from West Java as an alternative to fast food because it’s cheap and quick to make. It’s made by steaming white fish dumplings with tapioca flour, finely sliced cabbage, and tofu puffs that are then dipped in a thick peanut sauce. The best part is it can be paired with rice or eaten as a snack on its own!
This dish is a real treat for the taste buds because of its simplicity. The steamed fish dumplings with peanut sauce on banana leaf add to this dish’s authenticity and makes it even more appetizing!
Rendang
Rendang is a traditional West Sumatra dish made from beef simmered in coconut milk and spices for hours until the meat becomes tender. What makes rendang so special is that you can eat it by itself or with rice, but either way it’s delicious!
The ingredients used to make this meal are simple: beef, garlic, ginger, shallots, chilies, turmeric powder, and salt. The slow cooking process is important because it’s what makes the meat tender!
Kue Ape
Kue ape is an Indonesian cake made from shredded cassava, rice flour, and coconut milk. It’s the perfect snack to fight off those mid-afternoon hunger pangs!
This snack is made from cassava root, grated, and mixed with rice flour and coconut milk. It’s then cooked in a small serabi wok until it becomes crispy on the outside but still soft inside!
This cake has many different names depending on where in Indonesia it’s made: Serabi Jakarta, cucur tipis, or kue tete – but whatever name it goes by is totally worth trying out!
Pisang Goreng
Pisang goreng is fried banana coated in batter! It’s a popular street food, and for good reason: it tastes great.
This crispy banana snack is easy to find throughout Indonesia. It’s usually served with a sprinkling of sugar or chocolate syrup, but you can also opt for other toppings like cheese and condensed milk!
Pisang goreng should definitely be on your list of foods to try when in Jakarta because it tastes great and has many different variations depending on your preference!
Kerak Telor
Kerak Telor is a traditional Jakarta dish made from eggs, coconut milk and glutinous rice. The name comes from how it’s mixed: by pouring the mixture back and forth between two containers until it becomes smooth!
This delicious mix of ingredients makes for an interesting texture that you won’t find anywhere else. It can be eaten as a snack or as a main meal paired with spicy sambal!
Bubur Ayam
Bubur ayam is a traditional Indonesian chicken congee. It’s made from rice, spices, and shredded chicken that has been boiled in water until the rice breaks down into a porridge consistency!
This comforting dish is usually served with fried shallots or spring onions, hard-boiled egg slices, and sambal for added spiciness. It can be eaten on its own or with some greens to make it more filling!
Bubur ayam is best when dipped in sambal because it adds a spicy kick that makes the dish even better, so don’t forget to ask for extra if you like your food hot and spicy!
Nasi Padang
Nasi padang is a popular dish from Padang, West Sumatra that consists of rice served with many different side dishes.
The best thing about nasi padang is the variety: you can choose between beef rending, chicken curry or fish in chili sauce, or mix and match between different side dishes. It’s the kind of meal that you’ll always want to eat more!
Nasi padang is one dish I can never stop eating because there are so many different flavors for me to choose from – it’s impossible not to love nasi padang!
Murtabak
Murtabak is a thick pancake made from dough and filled with minced mutton, onions and eggs. It’s then pan fried until golden brown!
This delicious dish can be eaten as an appetizer or snack on its own – it tastes great whether you’re hungry or just want to treat yourself because of the crispy exterior that gives way to a savory, spicy and moist inside!
Murtabak is one of those dishes that tastes even better when you’re sharing it with your family or friends because the flavors can be enjoyed together – so go ahead and order a plate for everyone at the table!
Ketoprak
Ketoprak is a popular dish from Jakarta that consists of rice cakes, tofu and vegetables in peanut sauce.
This delicious mix of flavors has many variations throughout Java but it’s most common in the capital city! The best ketoprak comes with crispy chunks of fried tofu which perfectly complement the soft texture of the rice cake – it’s truly a match made in heaven!
Ketoprak is one of my favorite Jakarta street foods because it’s so tasty and easy to find all over the city – its peanut sauce makes for an irresistible combination of flavors that you won’t be able to resist.
Nasi Uduk
Nasi uduk is a dish from Jakarta that consists of rice cooked in coconut milk and pandan leaves. It can be eaten with various side dishes like fried chicken, boiled egg or vegetables!
This popular street food is definitely worth trying out because it’s so delicious – the soft texture of the rice mixed with creamy coconut milk makes for a perfect combination of flavors that’s hard to dislike!
Nasi uduk is one of those dishes you can always find being sold at Jakarta street food stands because it tastes even better when wrapped in banana leaves, which are often used as a serving vessel for this dish – so make sure you save some room on your plate for the delicious sides!
Final Words
We hope you enjoyed this article about 10 mouth-watering Jakarta street foods. The dishes we’ve discussed are the perfect way to experience the diversity of flavors that Indonesia has to offer – so go ahead and give them a try! If any of these sound interesting, let us know what you think in the comments section below.
