10 street foods in Jakarta you’ve got to try, if not you might as well go Jalan Karta

Last Updated on 2016-05-19 , 1:35 pm

Jakarta is a bustling, modern city littered with street food vendors of all shapes and sizes, waiting for you to discover. If you’re tired of all the usual Singaporean holiday destinations, why not give Jakarta a shot and have a taste of their local street food? Get ready for a culinary ride as we look at 10 street foods in Jakarta that you simply have to try.

Pisang goring sambal roa
This is by no means the same fried bananas that you have here in Singapore. The bananas used are starchier and firmer, and they are served with a sambal chilli (with fish in it) that gives it an extra kick.

Gorengan
This is like Indian Rojak or ngor hiang on steroids. Choose from a variety of fried foods like yam, tofu, spring rolls and pineapple, and have them all cut into small pieces and mixed together in a bag.

Ketoprak
Something like an Indonesian salad of sorts, Ketoprak is made up of rice cakes, fried tofu, beansprouts, beehoon, cabbage and boiled eggs doused in a peanut sauce and topped with fried shallots and keropok. I bet it sounds way better than what you thought a salad was!

Kerak Telor
Not for the faint-hearted, this is duck egg and glutinous rice fried omelette topped with shredded coconut, dried shrimp and fried shallots. If that doesn’t get you going, nothing will.

Bebek Goreng
Although this crispy duck dish can be found at many posh restaurants, do as the locals do and find a street vendor selling fried duck rice in a pandan leaf or bamboo basket. The duck is usually marinated with lemongrass and galangal, which gives it its signature flavour.

Martabak Manis
If you like the peanut pancakes in Singapore, then go for this turbocharged version in Jakarta. Instead of a peanut filling, the Indonesians fill their pancakes with Nutella, condensed milk, cheese or even Toberone.

Roti Bakar
The Hongkongers have their thick toast, the French have their French toast; and the Indonesians have their Roti Bakar. It is a thick piece of sweet, fried bread topped with anything from strawberries and bananas to chocolate, shredded cheese and condensed milk. Get your blood sugar checked after this.

Sop Buntut
This is actually oxtail stew, but it is not the western style oxtail soup made out of tomatoes thickened with flour. It has a truckload of sweet vegetables boiled into it, and the tender chunks of oxtail in clear broth will wash the rest of your greasy meal down nicely.

Bakso
Bakso is basically meatballs in soup, but they are usually mixed with tapioca flour instead of normal flour, which makes them chewier and bouncier. Together with vermicelli and a clear broth, bakso makes for a quick and hearty meal.

Es Campur
The counterpart to our ice kacang, es campur is a mixed ice dessert that usually contains a variety of fruits cut into small, bite sized pieces such as avocado, coconut and jackfruit, topped with shaved ice, condensed milk and colourful syrup; those who want a bit of luxury can opt for a dollop of durian on top.

Top Image: Artush / Shutterstock.com