Enjoy the authentic and flavorful delights of Jakarta’s signature dishes, a special treat that you must try when visiting the capital.
Jakarta, besides being known as a busy and colorful capital city, also has a wealth of mouth-watering culinary delights.
Betawi cuisine is a reflection of the city’s deep-rooted culture and traditions, combining the flavors of local ingredients with recipes passed down through generations. From soups to legendary traditional cakes, here are 10 Jakarta specialties you must try when visiting.
1. Soto Betawi
Soto Betawi is a culinary icon of Jakarta that is famous for its thick and savory broth. The mixture of coconut milk and milk in the broth produces a delicious taste that is hard to find anywhere else.
This soto usually contains pieces of beef, offal, or even organs such as eyes and liver, which are cooked until tender.
This dish is served warm with a sprinkling of crackers, sliced tomatoes, and lime, providing a combination of crunchy texture and fresh taste. It’s a perfect example of Typical Jakarta Food, showcasing the rich and unique flavors of the city.
2. Ketoprak
Ketoprak is one of the favorite street foods that is easy to find in Jakarta. Made from basic ingredients of tofu, rice vermicelli, and cucumber doused with peanut sauce and sweet soy sauce, ketoprak is served with lontong or ketupat according to taste.
Don’t forget the addition of crackers and fried onions that provide a savory and crunchy taste in every mouthful. This simple culinary has a rich taste, especially when combined with spicy chili sauce according to taste.
3. Betawi Pickles
Betawi pickles are a refreshing dish that is perfect to enjoy during the hot weather in Jakarta. This dish consists of a mixture of fresh vegetables such as mustard greens, cabbage, bean sprouts, and lettuce, topped with a spicy and sour peanut sauce.
The uniqueness of Betawi pickles lies in the combination of sour, sweet, spicy, and savory flavors that are alluring. Served with crackers, fried peanuts, and sprinkled with sesame seeds, this pickle is a light yet satisfying dish.
4. Geplak Cake
Kue Geplak is a sweet snack typical of Jakarta made from rice flour, grated coconut, and sugar. This cake has a dense texture with a sweet and savory taste, and an attractive colorful block shape.
Usually, kue geplak is available in traditional markets and souvenir shops, making it suitable as a souvenir for family or friends. Although simple, kue geplak is a witness to the richness of Betawi cuisine that is rarely found.
5. Betawi Laksa
Laksa Betawi is a soup dish that combines Malay flavors with a local touch of Jakarta. The thick sauce is made from coconut milk with the addition of rebon shrimp which gives it a savory taste.
The noodles used are made from rice flour and served with sliced eggs, basil leaves, and fried onions. This dish has a rich and complex flavor, perfect for enjoying when the weather is cold or to warm the body in the morning.
6. Betawi Steamed Rice
Nasi Uduk Betawi is a rice dish cooked with coconut milk and spices, resulting in a fragrant aroma and savory texture of rice.
This dish is usually served with side dishes such as fried chicken, dried tempeh, omelet, anchovy chili sauce, and crackers.
Nasi uduk is often a favorite breakfast menu in Jakarta and is available in many corners of the city. For variation, nasi uduk can also be served in a contemporary or bite-size form that is suitable for snacks or small portions.
7. Cucur Cake
Kue Cucur is a traditional Betawi cake that must be present at every traditional event. Made from a mixture of rice flour and palm sugar, this cake has a soft texture in the middle and is slightly crispy on the edges.
It tastes sweet with a distinctive aroma of fragrant palm sugar. Usually served as a dessert or tea time companion, but now kue cucur is also varied with a sprinkling of cheese or melted chocolate to make it more modern.
8. Egg Crust
Kerak Telor is a typical food made from a mixture of sticky rice, eggs, and Betawi spices. The unique cooking process, which is by baking and then lifting it into a crispy crust, makes this dish very special.
Once cooked, Kerak Telor is served with a sprinkling of roasted grated coconut and fried onions. Kerak Telor is often found at big events such as the Jakarta Fair or Betawi culinary festival.
9. Betawi Ulam Rice
Nasi Ulam Betawi is a dish that combines rice with various spices and fresh vegetables such as basil leaves, melinjo leaves, and cassava leaves.
The fresh taste and aroma of the leaves make nasi ulam a healthy and delicious dish. Usually this rice is also served with salted fish, beef slices, or savory jengkol stew. Nasi ulam is a food that is suitable to be enjoyed as a main dish at lunch.
10. Soto Tangkar
Soto Tangkar is a type of Betawi soto that uses beef ribs as the main ingredient. The broth is rich in spices and tastes savory with a tempting aroma, often served with French fries, perkedel, and sprinkled with fried onions.
This dish is very delicious when eaten warm, especially with the addition of emping or crackers that provide a savory and crunchy taste. Soto Tangkar is proof of Betawi culinary creativity that is not only delicious but also rich in nutrition.
Exploring Jakarta’s culinary specialties is not only filling, but also enriching the experience of local culture. Each Betawi dish has its own unique story and taste, a testament to the cultural heritage that has survived amidst the city’s modernization.
For culinary lovers, tasting traditional Jakarta dishes is an opportunity to get to know the rich and colorful Betawi culture better. Don’t miss the chance to taste Typical Betawi Food when visiting Jakarta and experience the authentic culinary sensation!
