Food Lourve, Jakarta

Grand Indonesia’s Food Lourve provides a good induction system for the Indonesian uninitiated by taking a collection of street style food vendors, throwing in a few Japanese and Korean joints, putting a bow tie on each and plonking them into a nice little food court.



Java Kitchen’s offerings were decent, although as with most bain marie ayam gorengs they dried out for a full jaw workout.

Still though, you could have hours of fun trying to find something decent in here.

2.5 / 5 yums!
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Where? Jl. MH.Thamrin 28-30, Plaza Indonesia level 3 no.91, Jakarta Capital Region 10350, Indonesia

Kembang Goela, Jakarta

You wanna see a meter long sausage? That is the speciality at the classy Kembang Goela. I can’t say I’m impressed, but the other dishes are done well and suitable for the foreign stomach.



Gado Gado: it’s not a meal without the peanut sauce slathered veggies.



Satays



Kang Kung



Ayam

3 / 5 yums!
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Where? Jl. Soedirman, Jakarta, Java, Indonesia

Lara Djonggrang, Jakarta

A shot of courage and Ecto trap might be required before entering the doors to this slice of old colonial Indonesia.

It’s an impressive old mansion which would appreciated even more if only light levels didn’t make you didn’t feel like the walls were closing in. There’s no space for sloppiness either, where you’ll have to cross water to navigate the between the unique dining spaces.

A place that is more impressive than the food, but there are flashes of good amongst the intense richness, such as the grilled seafood platter that’s makes a big statement.







Other than that, I think I’ll stick to places where I don’t need a proton pack to feel safe.


3 / 5 yums!
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Where? Jl. Teuku Tjik Ditiro 4, Menteng, Jakarta Pusat

Sate Khas Senayan, Jakarta

It might be a franchise, but there’s a few of them around for a reason for it. Cause it’s good. And when you see plenty of locals leave with a smile on their face, it’s gotta be alright.



Mmmmmm satay: that satay sauce is a silky, peanut butter, lifted by the kecap manis



Nasi goreng



Mee goreng



Ayam Goreng

An extensive, safe menu that’s foreign-stomach friendly, a daily visit would not be unreasonably.

4/ 5 yums!
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Where? Citywalk Sudirman, Ground Floor No. 19 – 20. Jl. KH. Mas Mansyur No. 121, Karet. Jakarta, Indonesia
What? Total meals around AUD $10 per person

Red Pepper, Jakarta

Cheap food court Indonesia. Might put the fear of food passing through one end and out the other but it’s all good.



Stodgy satay sauce not my style without that good nutty taste and more like a Japanese curry roux.


2 / 5 yums!
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Where? Plaza Indonesia, Jl MH Thamrin Kav 28-30, Jakarta, Indonesia
What? Satays AUD $4

Kopi Luwak, Jakarta

I love the way this cat crap coffee is so elegantly described. Thanks to those luwak cats who “generously” deposit their offerings on the ground.



Kopi Luwak is a franchise café that makes it commercially availably to those curious tourists who can’t but help themselves. Worth four times the normal cuppa, it’s disappointingly pre-grounded out of a packet and covered with hot water, served in a glass with gold trimming.

You know you want to, so just do it.

2.5 / 5 yums!
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Where? Grand Indonesia, West Mall, Jalan M.H. Thamrin No. 1, Jakarta, Indonesia; various others
What? Around AUD $12

The Lunch Room, Jakarta

Good looking in house lunch rooms in the office buildings of Australia aren’t entirely common.



Ayam Penyet: smashed fried chicken with a flavoursome sambal is delicious.



Mee Goreng

Basic Indonesian or some international stuff such as Korean bulgogi, bibimbap or teriyaki don for a bit of a change up that’s very friendly for the Western stomach.

3.5 / 5 yums!
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Where? ANZ Tower 25fl. Jl. Jend. Sudirman Kav. 33A Jakarta, Indonesia
What? AUD $3-6

Sari Ratu, Jakarta

If you haven’t tried padang food and don’t want to run the salmonella gauntlet on the streets of Jakarta, then Sari Ratu will break you into the wonderful cusine.



You pretty much sit down, and waiters will attack your table with a variety of dishes. Typically spicy food, you only eat what you want, and the number of dishes touched gets counted on the bill.

The food could have been better but hey, style over substance. Having the menu at your table… love it.

3 / 5 yums!
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Where? Jl. M.H. Thamrin Kav. 28 – 30, Jakarta, Indonesia
What? Dishes around AUD $3-10