My Jakarta Journey: Coffee, Shop
The coffee scene is booming in Jakarta. As a country that produces and drinks coffee, i didn't want to leave out on sipping hot latte at hipster cafes, and i had what i still feel guilty about til today. If you are not a coffee fan, fret not, this post is not all about coffee. Remember i mentioned about the many malls in Jakarta?
Spend some time at the Galeri Indonesia Kaya. It was interactive and fun gallery for a quick respite from shopping. Don't leave without watching a water musical fountain at the Dancing Fountain. Take note on the play time.
However, my favourite mall to go to is Kota Kasablanka (Kokas in short). Also a one-stop destination, what drew me in was the Food Society section of the mall with live music and its frequent event happenings. It was definitely lively over the weekends.
Batik shopping is a must and i recommend Thamrin City, near Grand Indonesia. There were rows and rows of batik clothes to choose from, with competitively good prices. It is an ideal souvenir so i decided to buy them for my family. Looking around, i was quickly blinded by the variations of design and colour. The maze of batik can be tricky so finding for the shop you want to buy from after surveying and picking the right clothes may be time consuming.
Just outside of Thamrin City is an award winning coffee place i wanted to try- Tanamera Coffee. Tucked between shoplots, this small cafe was busy brewing coffee, one after another, and i suspected there may not be a place to sit during peak hours.
Another option to get batik-blind is around Mal Ambasador and ITC Kuningan. After a round of batik shopping (yes, i batik shopped twice), i visited the nearby Kuningan City and here was where i tried something i am not particularly proud of. Curiosity got the better of me and i entered Kopi Luwak to have a cup of kopi luwak, the controversial civet coffee.
I was told that Sarinah Plaza is also a good place for batik shopping but i didn't check it out. Instead, my next destination was near this mall and it is one of the things to do in Jakarta- massage, or as the locals call it, pijat. KoKuo Reflexology is a few minutes walk away and it is a clean, professional looking massage establishment. The price was reasonable and the clothed foot, body and head massage was rejuvenating for tired muscle and soul. Tipping is not compulsory but i tipped because i was satisfied with the service. My masseur said that he has a few regular Malaysians who frequent the center.
I passed by Plaza Festival almost everyday on my way back and noticed this bright, cottage building next to it. One night, i decided to try and i have to say, Lucky Cat Cafe is my recommended coffee place. The interior was just as pretty as its exterior, and the service was friendly. Certainly a hangout spot to chill among friends and family.
On one weekend, i took a taxi to visit Pasar Baru (Passer Baroe) which, contradicting to its name, is not a new market. It is actually a refurbished old street and when i told my local friends that i was going to the place, they were quite surprised that i wanted to. I understood why now. I thought it would be like Petaling Street or Brickfields, where i can find local souvenir or street food. I arrived almost an hour to noon and it was rather quiet. Perhaps it was bad timing.
Another weekend, i decided to explore the Chinatown of Jakarta, Glodok. I took the bus to the station of the same name and ventured on foot in search of Chinese temple, food and local souvenir. I thought that this would resemble more of Petaling Street. It didn't.
There was a building in the area that sells lots of electronic goods but i wasn't looking to buy any electronic items myself. I didn't want to shop in a building so i continued to find for the street and when i did, it was a narrow, short one. I saw only one stall selling roast pork, mostly food groceries, and when i found the Chinese temple, i took a quick peek through the entrance and decided to look from the outside.
My Jakarta Journey: From Jagung to Big Durian
My Jakarta Journey: Coffee, Shop
My Jakarta Journey: Liburan
It is easy to pick Grand Indonesia as the top mall here, it likens that of Pavilion Mall in KL. There are floors of restaurants that will surely give you a hard time to decide. At least it did for me. Many international brands can be found in this mall. I particularly liked the cinema entrance- the decor exuded a brick-walled, theater feel. I noticed that unlike the cinemas in Malaysia where the tickets are checked at the main entrance before looking for the halls, i looked for my hall and then ticket is checked at the entrance of the hall.
Spend some time at the Galeri Indonesia Kaya. It was interactive and fun gallery for a quick respite from shopping. Don't leave without watching a water musical fountain at the Dancing Fountain. Take note on the play time.
Enjoying the display with songs from Phantom of the Opera musical.
Setting of the food floor.
In the cinema area.
However, my favourite mall to go to is Kota Kasablanka (Kokas in short). Also a one-stop destination, what drew me in was the Food Society section of the mall with live music and its frequent event happenings. It was definitely lively over the weekends.
Entrance to Kokas.
Aerial shot of the Food Street area.
At Kafe Betawi, trying its Soto Betawi. Strong coconut milk flavour and the first few spoons were rather peculiar to me. After that, it actually was quite tasty. The cracker which i dipped in the soup smelled weird (i prefer not to have the cracker).
I had round 2 of soto betawi at another place (and the cracker smelled the same).
Remboelan is a fancy looking Indonesian eatery and i tried the Nasi Bakar here.
Take your pick!
Just outside of Thamrin City is an award winning coffee place i wanted to try- Tanamera Coffee. Tucked between shoplots, this small cafe was busy brewing coffee, one after another, and i suspected there may not be a place to sit during peak hours.
Latte with love.
Another option to get batik-blind is around Mal Ambasador and ITC Kuningan. After a round of batik shopping (yes, i batik shopped twice), i visited the nearby Kuningan City and here was where i tried something i am not particularly proud of. Curiosity got the better of me and i entered Kopi Luwak to have a cup of kopi luwak, the controversial civet coffee.
Fancy serving on fancy tray and fancy cup.
I was told that Sarinah Plaza is also a good place for batik shopping but i didn't check it out. Instead, my next destination was near this mall and it is one of the things to do in Jakarta- massage, or as the locals call it, pijat. KoKuo Reflexology is a few minutes walk away and it is a clean, professional looking massage establishment. The price was reasonable and the clothed foot, body and head massage was rejuvenating for tired muscle and soul. Tipping is not compulsory but i tipped because i was satisfied with the service. My masseur said that he has a few regular Malaysians who frequent the center.
I passed by Plaza Festival almost everyday on my way back and noticed this bright, cottage building next to it. One night, i decided to try and i have to say, Lucky Cat Cafe is my recommended coffee place. The interior was just as pretty as its exterior, and the service was friendly. Certainly a hangout spot to chill among friends and family.
Top seat to kitchen view. Time to drink some coffee!
Staying true to being a latte lad, with healthy, yummy avocado toast.
On one weekend, i took a taxi to visit Pasar Baru (Passer Baroe) which, contradicting to its name, is not a new market. It is actually a refurbished old street and when i told my local friends that i was going to the place, they were quite surprised that i wanted to. I understood why now. I thought it would be like Petaling Street or Brickfields, where i can find local souvenir or street food. I arrived almost an hour to noon and it was rather quiet. Perhaps it was bad timing.
Pleasantly surprising water fountain near the entrance of the Pasar Baru.
The gate with local food stalls.
Getting busy on one end of the street come noon time.
I managed to try the popular Bakmi Gang Kelinci, adjacent to the main street. I had what is called the 'loh shu fan'.
Another weekend, i decided to explore the Chinatown of Jakarta, Glodok. I took the bus to the station of the same name and ventured on foot in search of Chinese temple, food and local souvenir. I thought that this would resemble more of Petaling Street. It didn't.
Snacks to munch on?
The lanterns indicate that i was at the right place.
Something to stomach? Frogs on sale.
Streets of Glodok.
Shopping is plenty in Jakarta, whether high end or local batik or souvenir. Have a good, reasonable priced massage. And stop by the coffee places for a cup of caffeine boost.
If you have too much of coffee or on a hot, sunny day, try this instead:
Es Podeng. Similar to the ABC, it's simple yet refreshing!
My Jakarta Journey: From Jagung to Big Durian
My Jakarta Journey: Coffee, Shop
My Jakarta Journey: Liburan
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