Jakarta — Culinaries

Signature dishes

• Kerak TelorRp25k–30k

  Betawi's signature street snack: sticky rice and egg cooked in a dry wok over charcoal, topped with toasted coconut.

  Try it at: Kerak Telor Bang Doel
• Soto BetawiRp25k–50k

  Beef or offal in a rich broth of coconut milk and milk, with potato, tomato, emping and a squeeze of lime.

  Try it at: Soto Betawi H. Ma'ruf
• Nasi UdukRp10k–50k

  Rice steamed in coconut milk with lemongrass and pandan, served with fried chicken, tempeh, sambal kacang and crackers.

  Try it at: Nasi Uduk dan Ayam Goreng Mat Lengket, Nasi Ulam dan Nasi Uduk Ibu Yoyo
• Gado-gado BetawiRp20k–75k

  Blanched vegetables, tofu, tempeh, egg and lontong under a peanut sauce ground with chilli, palm sugar and tamarind.

  Try it at: Gado-Gado Bon Bin
• KetoprakRp15k–25k

  Lontong, fried tofu, rice vermicelli and bean sprouts drowned in garlicky peanut sauce, with sweet soy and crackers.

  Try it at: Ketoprak Ciragil
• Asinan BetawiRp15k–30k

  A sweet, sour and spicy salad of pickled vegetables and tofu with peanut-chilli sauce and crackers, or a fruit version.

  Try it at: Asinan Betawi H. Asyimuni, Gado-Gado Bon Bin
• Laksa BetawiRp10k–25k

  Rice noodles in a spiced coconut-milk broth thickened with dried shrimp, topped with egg and fresh kemangi basil.

  Try it at: Soto Betawi H. Ma'ruf
• Nasi Goreng KambingRp45k–65k

  Goat fried rice heavy with spices and tender meat, Jakarta's favourite late-night plate since the 1950s.

  Try it at: Nasi Goreng Kambing Kebon Sirih
• Spaghetti Ice CreamRp20k–40k

  Vanilla ice cream pressed into 'spaghetti' strands with sauce and nuts, a Jakarta treat since the Italian parlour opened in 1932.

  Try it at: Ragusa Es Italia

Where to eat