5-Day Foodie Itinerary for Jakarta

  • Day 1: Jalan Surabaya Flea Market
    30 minutes (9.9 km) from Soekarno-Hatta International Airport

    Jalan Surabaya Flea Market is a perfect destination for vintage lovers and antique hunters. You can find a variety of items such as old vinyl, wood carvings, knick-knacks, and textiles. Additionally, try authentic Indonesian street food that stalls in the market offer.

  • Day 2: Soto Betawi H. Ma'ruf
    16 minutes (4.4 km) from Jalan Surabaya Flea Market

    Soto Betawi H. Ma'ruf is a restaurant that serves the traditional Betawi cuisine called soto Betawi. It has all the goodness of beef soup, tomatoes, green onion, and spicy broth. You can also find other dishes such as gado-gado and ketoprak.

  • Day 3: Nassir Kebab
    11 minutes (2.5 km) from Soto Betawi H. Ma'ruf

    Nassir Kebab is a food cart that serves Turkish-style kebab for 80 cents each. They contain garlic sauce, meat, and vegetables in a pita wrap. The food cart is open at night, so it's perfect for dinner.

  • Day 4: Warung Leko
    16 minutes (4.6 km) from Nassir Kebab

    Warung Leko is a restaurant chain that specializes in traditional Indonesian grilled chicken cooked in a clay oven. The dish is called ayam bakar and is served with rice, vegetables, and chili sauce. The atmosphere is cozy and relaxed, making it perfect for lunch or dinner.

  • Day 5: Kafe Betawi
    20 minutes (5.5 km) from Warung Leko

    At Kafe Betawi, you can try Betawi-style dishes that consist of a combination of Indonesian, Malay, and Chinese food. They serve classic dishes such as fried rice and capcay, but also unique items such as es doger (a shaved ice dessert with fruit and coconut milk).

Time and Costs Estimates

  • Jalan Surabaya Flea Market (2 hours, $20)
  • Soto Betawi H. Ma'ruf (1 hour, $10)
  • Nassir Kebab (1 hour, $5)
  • Warung Leko (1.5 hours, $15)
  • Kafe Betawi (1 hour, $10)
  • Total Estimated Costs: $60

Transportation

While Jakarta has a public transport system, it can be crowded, and traffic can be heavy. Consider taking a taxi, but make sure to negotiate a price before getting in. You can also rent a motorbike or hire a driver for the day. Plan for extra time in your itinerary to account for traffic jams that may occur during your trip.

A taxi will cost you around $2-5 for a short drive (under 5km), while renting a motorbike can cost about $4-6 per day. Hiring a car with a driver for a full day starts at approximately $30-35.

Useful Tips

If you have more time, consider visiting the National Monument, an iconic structure and park located in the city. For a sweet treat, try Martabak San Franciso, which serves sweet and savory pancakes. If you have less time, skip Nassir Kebab and Kafe Betawi and focus on the other destinations.

Airports

Jakarta has two international airports: Soekarno-Hatta International Airport (CGK) and Halim Perdanakusuma International Airport (HLP). Soekarno-Hatta is the main airport, and flights from various airlines worldwide fly to this airport. The airport is located about 20 km west of the city center, and you can reach the city using taxis or public transportation. If you prefer a private transfer, you can book a ride with a transportation provider operating in the airport.

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