What People in Jakarta Eat Daily#

For breakfast, many people here need something quick. It might be a simple plate of nasi goreng (fried rice) or mie goreng (fried noodles) bought from a small shop or street cart. Others might have bubur ayam (chicken congee), which is warm and comforting. Some just have tea or coffee with some crackers or simple bread if they’re really in a rush. Breakfast is often eaten at home or on the way to work.

Lunchtime, around noon, is a main meal. People working often eat near their office. You’ll see lots of warungs (small casual eateries) serving nasi campur, which is a plate of rice with different side dishes you choose – maybe some fried chicken, beef rendang, vegetables in coconut milk, or fried tempeh. It’s about getting a filling meal to power through the afternoon.

Dinner is often the most relaxed meal, especially for families. It’s usually eaten at home. This is when families gather. Home-cooked meals are common, but many also buy food to take home. The variety is endless, but it often includes rice, a protein (like chicken, fish, or beef), and vegetable dishes.

Home Cooking vs. Eating Out#

Cooking at home is still very common, especially for dinner and sometimes breakfast or packing lunch for kids. Home-cooked meals are usually simpler versions of classic Indonesian dishes – like stir-fried vegetables (tumis kangkung or tumis sawi), fried chicken or fish, maybe a simple curry (gulai) or soup (sayur asam or sayur lodeh). The focus is on fresh ingredients and familiar flavors.

But Jakarta is famous for its street food and casual eateries. Many people eat out daily, especially for lunch or when they want something specific. Street food like sate (grilled skewers), martabak (savory or sweet pancake), gado-gado (vegetable salad with peanut sauce), ketoprak (rice cake, noodles, tofu, vegetables with peanut sauce), and all kinds of fried snacks (gorengan) are everywhere and are a huge part of the food scene. It’s fast, relatively cheap, and very tasty.

Key Ingredients and Spices#

Indonesian food, especially in Jakarta, uses a lot of fresh spices and herbs. You’ll find bawang merah (shallots), bawang putih (garlic), and cabe (chilies – lots of them!) in almost everything. Other common flavors come from lengkuas (galangal), jahe (ginger), kunyit (turmeric), and sereh (lemongrass). Santan (coconut milk) is essential for many creamy dishes like curries. Kecap manis (sweet soy sauce) is also a staple, used in marinades, stir-fries, and as a dipping sauce. Terasi (shrimp paste) gives a deep, savory flavor to many chili pastes (sambal) and vegetable dishes.

Food for Special Times#

Weekends or special family gatherings often mean preparing or buying slightly more elaborate dishes. Sate is popular to grill at home. Nasi tumpeng (a cone-shaped rice dish surrounded by various side dishes) is made for celebrations.

During big religious festivals like Eid al-Fitr (end of Ramadan) or Eid al-Adha, specific dishes are traditionally prepared. Ketupat or lontong (rice cakes cooked in woven pouches or banana leaves) are essential. These are eaten with rich dishes like Opor Ayam (chicken in white coconut milk curry), Rendang (slow-cooked spicy beef), Sambal Goreng Ati (spicy stir-fried liver and potatoes), and various other curries and stews. It’s a time for feasting and sharing food with family and neighbors.

Snacks and Drinks#

Snacking is common throughout the day. Gorengan (deep-fried snacks like tempeh, tofu, bananas, or sweet potato fritters) bought from street vendors are hugely popular. Sweet snacks include various colorful cakes (kue-kue) made from rice flour, coconut milk, and sugar.

For drinks, plain water, hot tea, and coffee are standard. Sweet iced tea (es teh manis) is very common. Fresh juices like avocado (es alpukat), mango, or orange are also favorites. On hot days, Es Campur (mixed ice with fruits, jelly, coconut, and syrup) or Es Doger (pink coconut milk ice with various toppings) are refreshing treats.

Food Etiquette and Customs#

There aren’t many strict taboos for daily eating for most people in Jakarta, but some common customs exist. For the majority Muslim population, pork is avoided. Eating with the right hand is considered proper, especially if eating directly with hands (like with nasi padang). Many people start their meal by saying a short prayer. Sharing food, especially when eating from communal dishes, is a sign of togetherness. Wasting food is generally frowned upon.