This metropolitan city with its fancy Instagrammable restaurants and fine-dining experience that cost an arm and a foot has a delicious little secret. Jakartans have harbored a love affair with a quick, no fuss, and delectable street-food scene for many years. The street-food is alive and well in Jakarta with the constant creation of new must-eat quick-bites that always has a line forming. From the improved version of childhood favorites to the authentic Jakarta signatures, the city feeds its street food lovers with a wide range of great flavors. So, try them on your own risk and fall in love with the first bite!
1. Kerak Telor
Kerak Telor is undoubtedly the signature street food of Jakarta. Kerak Telor is a traditional snack of the Betawinese people, an ethnic group native to the city. The savory fare is a sticky rice omelet cooked in a wok over charcoal. It is made by mixing glutinous rice, fried shallots, dried small shrimps, serundeng (spicy coconut flakes) with chicken or duck eggs on a hot wok until it’s nice and crispy. When it is cooked, Kerak Telor is wrapped with a sheet of brown paper. The crust forming outside the eggy snack is why it is called Kerak Telor (Bahasa for “egg crust”)
Read also: 6 Best Traditional Market in Jakarta
Despite being the signature street food of Jakarta, Kerak Telor is a bit hard to come by. You can find this crispy creation in the Central Jakarta area, around certain spots such as Monas, Kota Tua (Old Town), and Setu Babakan; where a large group of street vendors sells them along the sidewalks.
Recommended Vendor:
Kerak Telor Bang Doel in Sawah Besar, Central Jakarta
Address: Jl. Pintu Air Raya No. 68, Pasar Baru, Sawah Besar, Central Jakarta 10710
Phone Number: +62 85814161841
Price Range: Rp12.000 – Rp.30.000/ item
(The price depends on the vendors)
Opening Hours: Monday to Sunday (10.00 – 22.00)
2. Martabak Terang Bulan
Martabak Boss JakartaMartabak is the most hyped street food in Jakarta over the last few years, with innovative flavors and toppings being added into this late-night favorite. There are two kinds of Martabak, the savory kind, and the sweet kind. The sweet martabak also known as Terang Bulan (Bahasa for ‘shining moon’) got its name from the golden shine it has when it is folded and brushed with butter. In fact, it is the most common street food you can find in Jakarta.
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It is made from a thick pancake-like batter with eggs, milk, and flour and cooked on a cast iron pan. Also, you can fill it with condensed milk, caster sugar, chocolate sprinkles, or any other toppings of your choosing.
Nowadays, there are many variations of this delicacy, from the original filling of cheese and chocolate one to black forest or red velvet flavor. Whether you prefer the original one or the “upgraded” version, Terang Bulan is best shared with friends.
Recommended Vendor:
Martabak Boss in Senopati, South Jakarta
Address: Jl. Gunawarman No. 75, Senopati, Jakarta
Phone Number: +62 81219194814
Price Range: Rp12.000 – Rp150.000
(price changes with added topping)
Opening Hours:Monday to Sunday (17.00 – 00.00)
3. Gorengan
The childhood snack of every person in Jakarta. Gorengan refers to batter-dipped ingredients that range from tofu, tempeh (fermented soybeans), and various vegetables or fruit fried in oil. The concept is similar to Korean twiggim or Japanese tempura of assorted deep-fried items. Moreover, it is a famous snack amongst Indonesian from all across the archipelago.
It is very popular in Jakarta, not only because of its taste but because of the low-price for only Rp1000 -Rp 2000 (10-20 cents) per item. You can find Gorengan everywhere in Jakarta; Just look for vendor wagons that have the word “gorengan” on them. As with other street foods, there are new leveled-up versions of this modest snack with more options on the fried items and addition of toppings.
Recommended Vendor:
Gorengas (Gorengan Naik Kelas) in Cilandak, South Jakarta
Address :Ampera Garden Food Festival, Jl. Ampera Raya no.119, Cilandak, South Jakarta
Phone Number: +62 85782506981
Price Range: Rp17.000 – Rp18.000
(price changes with added toppings)
Opening Hours: Monday to Sunday (10.00 – 20.00)
4. Asinan Betawi
Asinan Betawi is a traditional Indonesian salad with a fresh and sweet taste. The salad consists of slices of white cabbage, tofu carrot, bean sprout, and a handful of egg-based yellow noodles. There is also a special ingredient called “sayur asin” or salted vegetable, which is made with fermented Chinese cabbage. The mixed greens then combined with a thin sauce made with a combination of peanut sauce, brown sugar, and a hint of vinegar. The dish is then topped with dices of cucumbers and kerupuk or crackers.
Read also: Indonesian Dessert Drinks in Jakarta
Furthermore, this street food has a complex flavor of sweet and savory with a little bit of tartness coming in from the fermented Chinese cabbage and vinegar. Plus, it is a perfect low-calorie street food option for those who are on a diet.
Recommended Vendor:
Asinan Betawi H. Mansur in Rawamangun, Central Jakarta
Address: Jl. Taman Kamboja 3 No. 10, Rawamangun, Central Jakarta
Phone Number: +62 214707242
Price Range: Rp.16.000 – Rp17.000/ item
Opening Hours: Monday – Sunday (10.00 – 21.00)
5. Cakwe
The deep-fried dough of goodness is a street fare adapted from Chinese doughnut called youtiao. Cakwe is made by deep-frying a strip of lightly seasoned dough until they are golden brown. This cheap snack is light and has a chewy texture. So, it is best served with sweet and spicy chili sauce. Cakwe is good as a topping for congee or as a quick snack. You might find that there is a lot of variation of cakwes with savory toppings like mayonnaise, mozzarella cheese, and shrimp meats. But, whatever your preferences, make sure to eat it while it’s hot!
Recommended Vendor:
Cakwe Galaxy on 5th Floor FX Sudirman, Central Jakarta
Address: Jl. Jendral Sudirman, Sudirman, Central Jakarta
Phone Number: +62 2129889204
Price Range: Rp15.000/ item
Opening Hours: Monday – Sunday (10.00 – 22.00)
6. Roti Bakar
Roti Bakar is usually known as a food we eat in the morning. Lately, toast has become a street food night that is often targeted by many people. This street food may look simple, but now there are lots of roti bakar innovations with really interesting flavors and toppings. Ranging from sweet to salty, the flavors are cheese, chocolate, nuts, ovomaltine, nutella, jam, eggs, corned beef, sausage, and many more. Well, street food is perfect as your night snack when you are working on assignments or working overtime.
Recommended Vendor:
Roti Bakar Eddy, Senopati, Jakarta Selatan
Address: Jl. Raden Patah, Senopati, Jakarta Selatan.
Phone Number: +622197520002
Price Range: Rp 12.000 – Rp 22.000/ item
Opening Houra: Monday – Sunday (18.00 – 2.30)
7. Bakso
Speaking of the best street food in Jakarta, bakso is one of them. Bakso is a street food that is most popular with the public and is really easy for you to find in Jakarta. The warm broth and the soft and delicious bakso will always make your stomach happy. This food is also very popular because the price is very affordable and will definitely make you full. It is also a comfort food for many people. So, if you need street food that is cheap, delicious, and easy to find, bakso is the perfect choice for you.
Recommended Vendor:
Bakso Solo Samrat Kelapa Gading, Jakarta Utara
Address: Jl. Boulevard Raya Blok WAB 2 No. 1, Kelapa Gading, Jakarta Utara.
Phone Number: (021) 4530586
Price Range: Rp 32.000 – 57.000/ item
Operational Hours: Monday – Sunday (11.00 – 23.00)
8. Seblak
This street food originating from Bandung has also become one of the best street food in Jakarta recently. Now there are a lot of seblak that opens in Jakarta and it is no less delicious than those in Bandung. Seblak is a street food that has a spicy sauce that smells of kencur and is filled with crackers, chicken feet, meatballs, batagor, and even noodles. So, if you are curious about the taste of this street food, we highly recommend it for you to try.
Recommended Vendor:
Seblak Jeletet Murni, Gunung Sahari, Jakarta
Address: Jl. Pademangan 4, Gang 4, Gunung Sahari, Jakarta
Phone Number: +628999361139
Price Range: Rp 5.000 – 15.000/ item
Operational Hours: Every day (14.30 – 22.00)
9. Nasi Goreng
If you ask what street food is most often found in Jakarta? The answer is nasi goreng. Nasi Goreng is the best street food in Jakarta which is very popular among the public and is even favored by tourists who often come to Jakarta. Nasi Goreng was originally a recipe brought by the Chinese and after that it evolved according to people’s tastes.
Generally, nasi goreng is usually accompanied by sunny side up eggs and some complementary ingredients such as seafood, sausage, chicken, vegetables, etc. This food is also added with seasonings that suit the tongue of the Indonesian people. Anyway, this street food is really recommended!
Recommended Vendor:
Nasi Goreng Kambing Kebon Sirih, Menteng, Jakarta Pusat
Address: Jl. Kebon Sirih Barat, Menteng, Jakarta Pusat
Phone Number: 0811190775
Price Range: Rp 40.000 – Rp 80.000/ item
Operational Hours: Every Day (17.00 – 22.00)
10. Sate
This authentic Indonesian street food is also one of the popular street food in the community. This delicacy of food is really a champion. Chicken or lamb meat that is skewered and then grilled and doused with peanut sauce will certainly make people addicted. Sate is also one of the street foods that you can easily find in Jakarta and is perfect for you to eat at night. So, if you are hungry at night, just buy some Sate.
Recommended Vendor:
Sate Ayam Kambing RSPP, Blok M, Jakarta
Address: Jl. Kyai Maja No. 21, Blok M, Jakarta
Phone Number: (021) 7237533
Price Range: Rp 25.000 – Rp 45.000/item
Operational Hours: Senin – Minggu (10.00 – 23.00)
11. Kue Pancong
Who doesn’t know this iconic street food? Kue Pancong that is similar to a pukis, is street food that is originally a traditional Betawi cake. It is a simple food because it doesn’t require many ingredients to make it. Kue Pancong are crescent-shaped and are usually sprinkled with toppings such as cheese, meses, and sweetened condensed milk. For those of you who like sweet street food, kue pancong is worth a try.
Recommended Vendor:
Kue Pancong Rawa Belong, Palmerah, Jakarta Barat
Address: Jl. Harun Raya Jl. Sulaiman No.10 (Near Pasar Bunga Rawa Belong) Palmerah, Jakarta Barat
Phone Number: 0812-9159-9361
Price Range: Rp 4.000 – Rp 9.000/ item
Operational Hours: Every Day (24 Hours)
12. Ketoprak
Ketoprak is a favorite street food of many people which we often encounter in Jakarta. This traditional Betawi food is very popular among many people because of its cheap price and it is certainly filling. This food contains ketupat, bean sprouts, tofu, and vermicelli which are flooded with delicious peanut sauce that never fails to make people addicted. Usually you can find this street food around in the housing complex too.
Recommended Vendor:
Ketoprak Ciragil, Senopati, Jakarta Selatan
Address: Jln. Ciragil II, Blok Q No. 24, Senopati, Jakarta Selatan
Price Range: Rp 20.000 – Rp 25.000/ item
Phone Number: 085865156117
Operational Hours: Every Day (09.30 – 17.30)
13. Rujak
Who doesn’t like to eat Rujak? This food is also one of the most popular street food in Jakarta. Rujak is a traditional Indonesian food that contains fruits and vegetables covered with a sauce. The sauce itself consists of chilies, palm sugar and peanuts. This street food is a people’s favorite because of its fresh taste mixed with spicy and sweet flavors.
Recommended Vendor:
Rujak Kolam Medan, ITC Mangga Dua, Jakarta
Address: ITC Mangga Dua, Lantai 3, Jl. Mangga Dua Raya, Mangga Dua, Jakarta
Phone Number: (021) 68235576
Operational Hours: Every Day (10.00 – 22.00)
14. Sate Taichan
Sate Taichan is a street food that is being hit lately. Lots of Jakartans are eyeing this grilled sate without soy sauce and peanut sauce. Starting as a street food vendor in Jakarta, you can now find this street food all over Indonesia. This sate has a characteristic that is the white meat is grilled and then doused with chili sauce. Very suitable if you want to eat at night.
Recommended Vendor:
Sate Taichan Bang Ocit, Senayan, Jakarta Selatan
Address: Jl. Patal Senayan No.2, Grogol Utara, Kby. Lama, Kota Jakarta Selatan
Price Range: Rp 25.000/ item
Operational Hours: Every Day (21.30 – 02.00)
15. Batagor
This original Bandung snack is indeed a favorite of many people. So, don’t be surprised if you often see this street food in several areas including Jakarta. Batagor is a snack made from tofu filled with batter from mackerel fish and covered with sweet and spicy peanut sauce.
Recommended Vendor:
Siomay dan Batagor Bang Hendrik Tebet, Jakarta Selatan
Addresss: Jl. Tebet Timur Dalam Raya No.103 Tebet, Jakarta Selatan
Phone Number: 085697929022
Price Range: Rp. 13.000/ item
Operational Hours: Every Day (15.00 – 22.30)
There you have it, 15 best street food in Jakarta. Which one do you want to try first?
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