For those of you who have lived in Jakarta for a long time, you are undoubtedly familiar with Jakarta's legendary foods that can be found in several areas. These legendary halal foods in Jakarta are all located in easily accessible places. There is no doubt about the taste, they are all very delicious. And for those of you who consider yourselves food lovers, you must try these legendary halal foods in Jakarta that taste extraordinary.
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10 Jakarta’s Culinary Legends, Where History Meets Flavor
There are dozens, even hundreds, of legendary halal and delicious foods scattered throughout Jakarta. However, this time, I will choose 10 of these legendary foods in Jakarta. These ten foods are not only tasty but have been around for decades, and some even centuries.
Here are the 10 legendary halal and delicious foods of Jakarta.
1. Kopi Es Tak Kie (1927)
Kopi Es Tak Kie was established in 1927 in the Petak Sembilan area of Glodok, making it one of the oldest coffee shops in Jakarta. Lauw Tek Lok founded this shop. When it opened, Kopi Es Tak Kie only sold Chinese-style black coffee to market traders.
However, its simple yet strong flavour, using a blend of Robusta coffee from Lampung without any additives, made it famous in Jakarta. Today, Kopi Es Tak Kie is managed by the third generation and remains a favourite destination for coffee lovers seeking the authentic vibe of old Jakarta. It's perfect for you, old-school coffee lovers.
2. Ragusa Es Italia (1932)
Ragusa Es Italia was founded in 1932 on Jalan Veteran. It is the oldest ice cream shop in Jakarta. It's homemade ice cream uses fresh cow's milk, has a soft texture, natural flavours, and an old-fashioned interior that offers a nostalgic experience. A serving of ice cream is sold at an affordable price. It remains a family-friendly culinary icon to this day.
Ragusa Es Italia was founded by two brothers from Italy, Luigi Ragusa and Vicenzo Ragusa. Hence the name Ragusa. Banana Split, Tutti Fruti, and Cassata Siciliana are the must-try favourite menu items. Not only is the taste appealing, but the way this oldest ice cream in Jakarta is served is unique. I first tried this ice cream in 2024.
3. Soto Betawi H. Ma'ruf (1940s)
Soto Betawi H. Ma'ruf has been legendary in Jakarta since its founder, H. Ma'ruf bin Sahib, started selling it from a cart in the 1940s. Around the 1960s, he established a restaurant in Cikini Market and eventually settled in the Taman Ismail Marzuki (TIM) area, Menteng.
The uniqueness of this soto lies in its broth, a combination of coconut milk and pure cow's milk. This was originally a coincidence when the coconut milk stock ran out, but customers loved it and have maintained it until now. In addition, the meat and offal are first marinated in the broth and then fried to ensure they remain crispy when served. Today, Soto Betawi H. Ma'ruf is managed by the founder's grandson, Mufti Maulana, and has opened four branches in Jakarta.
Without adding MSG, this soto has maintained its authentic taste for three generations. The classic favourite dish is soto with coconut milk and broth, topped with emping, fried onions, and crispy offal. Visit after lunch or before lunch if you don't want to wait in a long line. I'm not a big fan of coconut milk, but I like this soto.
4. Gado-Gado Cemara (1947)
Gado‑gado Cemara was first established by Mrs Niawati Setiawan in 1947. This legendary Jakarta food spot started as a simple depot at the intersection of Jalan Cemara, Jakarta. The name Cemara was taken from its original location. We often ordered this gado-gado for meetings when I worked at the office.
The speciality of Gado-gado Cemara lies in its thick and smooth peanut sauce, which is traditionally made from peanuts and cashews. The vegetables are fresh, boiled to perfection, then drizzled with sauce, topped with crackers and emping for an enticing texture.
5. Bakmi Gang Kelinci (1957)
Bakmi Gang Kelinci is the most legendary noodle shop in Jakarta. There is no doubt about its taste. This noodle shop has been around since 1957, when it was built from a small cart in Gang Kelinci, Pasar Baru. That is why it is called Bakmi Gang Kelinci. I first tried this noodle dish around 2012 when a friend invited me, but at the time, I wasn't aware of its fame. My last visit was in June this year.
Every time I visit this bakmi place, it is crowded and full. The taste is consistent from my several visits. The noodles are chewy, the broth is savoury, and the dumplings are thin. This legendary halal bakmi has grown in popularity because of its toppings, including mushrooms, soy sauce chicken, boiled chicken, mustard greens, and super delicious shrimp dumplings.
Bakmi Gang Kelinci's signature and legendary menu item is Bakmie Ayam Jamur, which tastes absolutely delicious. Visitors can also order other Chinese foods besides noodles, such as dim sum, nasi tim, gohyong, pangsit, and fuyunghai. Bakmi Gang Kelinci has several branches in Cengkareng, Kuningan, Blok M, and Bintaro.
6. Nasi Goreng Kambing Kebon Sirih (1958)
This timeless legend was established in 1958 by the late H. Nein in Kebon Sirih. This fried rice is famous for its strong spices, large and tender goat pieces, and distinctive aroma. It is cooked in a large wok to make dozens of servings.
It is served with cabbage pickles similar to Betawi asinan, goat satay, liver, and chicken. It is best eaten in the evening because it is open from 5:00 p.m. until late at night, always crowded with traditional food hunters. The long queues on weekends are proof of its legendary authenticity. Be prepared to queue if you want to try this food. I advise taking it home and eating it there for more comfort.
7. Bakmi Gajah Mada (1959)
Bakmi GM was founded in 1959 as a small stall on Jalan Gajah Mada, Central Jakarta, by husband and wife Tjhai Sioe and Loei Kwai Fong. With only five tables and a simple menu of chicken noodles, meatballs, and dumplings, the stall quickly became a favourite.
The popularity of this legendary Jakarta halal restaurant and its delicious food rose during the 1962–1963 Asian Games. After renovations due to road widening, the restaurant returned to its old location with a larger space.
In 1971, the first branch opened in Melawai, and in 1986, they expanded to MH Thamrin and Pondok Indah. Today, this noodle shop has 50 outlets in Greater Jakarta, Bandung, Surabaya, and Bali. You can also find this legendary Jakarta food in several malls.
8. Ayam Goreng Berkah Rachmat (1963)
The next legendary halal and delicious Jakarta food is Ayam Goreng Berkah Rachmat. It was founded by Rachmat Mulyoredjo, a veteran soldier, in Mayestik in early 1963. Starting from a simple cart in the Mayestik and Melawai areas, this stall became a lunch supplier for workers building Gelora Bung Karno in the 1960s. I can't even remember the last time I ate this delicious halal fried chicken.
This restaurant is known for its fresh, free-range chicken that is cut daily, its traditional spices, and its preservative-free dishes. Now managed by the third generation, this stall can serve hundreds of free-range chickens every day. Despite the generational change, the savoury taste and crispy-outside, juicy-inside texture remain intact.
9. Kwetiau Sapi Akhiang 79 (1979)
Located on Jalan Gajah Mada No. 202–203, Glodok. Kwetiau Sapi Akhiang 79 is famous as one of the leading destinations for halal kwetiau in Gajah Mada, Jakarta. This legendary Jakarta food is open every day from 10 p.m. to 1 a.m.. It serves various dishes, including beef kwetiau siram, fried kwetiau, bun, yams, and seafood. All the dishes are halal and have generous portions and plenty of sauce.
It has been serving kwetiau siram with a choice of beef or shrimp toppings for a long time. The portions are large and the prices are very affordable. The broth is mlekoh, or savoury and tempting, perfect for warming up the body. The location is easy to reach, so it is often a destination for local culinary enthusiasts.
10. Soto Betawi Nyonya Afung (1982)
Soto Betawi Nyonya Afung was founded in 1982 in the Glodok area of Jakarta by a Chinese woman who wanted to introduce the deliciousness of Betawi soto in a halal version. The coconut milk broth is savoury and rich in spices, containing pieces of beef, lung, and sometimes tripe. It is served with emping, rice, and spicy sambal.
Initially, Soto Betawi Nyonya Afung was just a small stall, but it grew thanks to its authentic and consistent taste. Now, this stall is widely known and has become one of the icons of Betawi cuisine that spans generations. Even though it contains coconut milk, I still love the taste and aroma.
Here are recommendations for legendary halal and delicious foods in Jakarta. The ten foods above are tasty and have endured for decades, with some exceeding a century. They are part of Jakarta's past memories. However, their authentic, consistent flavours and heirloom recipes have made these foods legendary.
Now you won't be confused anymore when looking for recommendations for Indonesian cuisine across Indonesia, including Jakarta's legendary halal and delicious dishes. I've only tried a few, but if you've tried all the dishes above, please share your thoughts in the comments section.
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