Jakarta: Dining

Jakarta’s food scene reflects the mix of people who’ve made the city their home. With migrants from across the Indonesian archipelago, the range of flavours here is huge. You’ll find staples like noodles and nasi goreng (fried rice) on every corner, but there’s plenty more to discover. Most meat dishes feature chicken or beef, as pork is less common in this mostly Muslim city. Upscale restaurants, often tucked inside hotels, cater to those after a refined meal, but the real heart of Jakarta’s food culture lies on the streets — in smoky stalls and late-night carts serving quick, flavour-packed plates that are as affordable as they are satisfying.