Central Jakarta Gondangdia Menteng Central Jakarta City, Special Capital Region of Jakarta 10350, Indonesia
Jalan Kebon Sirih Barat 1 (Menteng), Jakarta Pusat, Jakarta 10340, Indonesia
Jl. Timor No.12, Menteng, Kota Jakarta Pusat, Daerah Khusus Ibukota Jakarta 10350, Indonesia
Plaza Indonesia Lt.Basement Unit 36, Jl. M.H. Thamrin Kav.28-30, Gondangdia, Menteng, RT.9/RW.5, Gondangdia, Menteng, Kota Jakarta Pusat, Daerah Khusus Ibukota Jakarta 10350, Indonesia
Jakarta, Tangerang, Banten 19120, Indonesia
Jalan Silang Merdeka Barat Daya Tanah Abang Jakarta 10250 Indonesia
Jalan Silang Merdeka Barat Daya Tanah Abang Jakarta 10250 Indonesia
Jalan Taman Mini Indonesia Indah Jakarta Timur Jakarta 13560 Indonesia
Sofyan Hotel, Jalan Cut Meutia No 9, Jakarta, Jakarta 10330, Indonesia
Plaza Indonesia Lt.Basement Unit 36, Jl. M.H. Thamrin Kav.28-30, Gondangdia, Menteng, RT.9/RW.5, Gondangdia, Menteng, Kota Jakarta Pusat, Daerah Khusus Ibukota Jakarta 10350, Indonesia
Jl. Kb. Kacang Raya, Tanah Abang, Kota Jakarta Pusat, Daerah Khusus Ibukota Jakarta 10230, Indonesia
Jalan Taman Cut Mutiah No.1 Menteng Kota Jakarta Pusat, DKI Jakarta 10350, Indonesia
Jl. Cikini 2 No.2, Cikini, Menteng, Kota Jakarta Pusat, Daerah Khusus Ibukota Jakarta 10330, Indonesia
Jl. Cikini 2 No.2, Cikini, Menteng, Kota Jakarta Pusat, Daerah Khusus Ibukota Jakarta 10330, Indonesia
Jalan Raden Saleh Raya, Kota Jakarta Pusat, Daerah Khusus Ibukota Jakarta 10330, Republic of Indonesia
Jalan Kramat Baru No.2, Senen, Kota Jakarta Pusat, Daerah Khusus Ibukota Jakarta 10450, Indonesia
Indonesia will celebrate its national day next week on 17 August. The biggest archipelago country in the ASEAN region is going to enjoy its 75th year of independence after being under Dutch colonial rule for 350 years. Indonesia’s capital city, Jakarta, is showing its joy as many national flags are bring waived in the streets. With COVID-19 positive cases increasing day by day in the country, the pandemic is still a looming threat to Indonesia and the rest of the world. Indonesians have fought hard to gain their independence, and now they fight against this deadly virus. Next week will be a big day for Indonesia but we will never give up fighting the virus. Indonesians celebrate Independence Day by conducting several competitions that are very famous in the country that should not be missed. The health protocol is a primary thing to do, however. Everyone should wear their masks, face shields, wash their hands, and surely never forget to practice physical distancing.Here’s how Indonesians are celebrating their Independence Day in the new normal. Celebrating from Home Image Source: What's New Indonesia In a pre-COVID, Indonesians will come from all over the country to attend the annual flag-raising ceremony in the Presidential Palace. Standing proud as they watch their national flag being raised high. This will then lead to the President’s speech to the nation. This year, with the safety measures in place, the celebrations will be taking a more modest approach, with most of the activities being moved online as gatherings are no longer allowed in order to lower the risk of infections. Citizens are not worried about missing out, as they will be able to catch the flag ceremony and celebrations in the safety of their homes as it will be broadcasted live on television and social platforms. Independence Day Community Games Image Source: IDN Times Community games can still be held albeit at smaller scales with strict safety measures in place. This means that Indonesians can still enjoy their favorite games they always play during independence day. A long-standing tradition associated with Indonesians during independence day is surely the Cracker Eating Race or also known as “Lomba Makan Kerupuk,” which is a must in every Independence Day celebration. It is a game where adults or children will race each other to see who can finish their crackers first. This year, however, participants are required to keep a distance between one another as they play this game. The crackers will be hanged by a thread a couple of centimeters higher than the participants. All the participants will raise their heads to eat the crackers while having their hands tied behind their backs. It is a cheerful game as the participants will keep opening their mouths to chase the crackers that are wiggling around. It is a fun activity that will surely raise everyone’s spirit! Another game played by Indonesians during Independence day is the Sack Race. Similar to the Cracker Eating game, adults or children can join this competition. The participants will get inside a gunny sack. The race usually runs around a distance of 15 to 20 meters, the participants have to hop while holding the sack from the start to the finish line. Quite tiring, but yeah, it will always create a lively atmosphere with spectators cheering on to support their players. The race can be more challenging and joyful if the participants are required to wear a helmet while hopping! Want to give it a try? Taking it to Social Media Image By: Photo by Nick Agus Arya on Unsplash During the pandemic, when many people are asked to stay at home, TikTok has been the go-to app for Indonesians to spend their free time. Indonesians could create video content that is so relatable with the current situation – COVID-19 awareness! Yes, we can still produce an exciting and creative video while reminding people to stay healthy and safe. Another way Indonesians are spreading the joy of their independence is through the internet by creating videos with the Independence Day theme. For example, uploading a video on Facebook or Youtube to tell the viewers about how grateful they are as trying to flatten the curve during the national celebration—sharing positive words of encouragement from their hearts to inspire others to do the same. Mask Making Competition Image by: Photo by Vera Davidova on Unsplash Since face masks are the main protective equipment used during the current pandemic and have become one of the health protocols, it would be great if there was a mask designing competition this Independence day month. Where people of all ages can display their creativity by coloring and designing their masks. This competition can be an attraction for children to participate in the August race this year, it could even help in the fight against the pandemic. It will be very special (and safe!) because it could be conducted virtually to prevent the spread of the coronavirus in Indonesia. Even though the celebrations this year are being scaled down and will feel a little different from previous years of celebration, the spirit of independence still resonates with the nation, and it’s citizens where they are united to stand against the global pandemic. Happy 75th Birthday Indonesia! Stay healthy, and let’s flatten the curve!...
Jakarta is home to various culinary delights. As traffic congestion never ends at this city, young urbanites love to spend time at cafes and restaurants to kill time. Here are my recommended cafes and restaurants that are unique, Instagrammable, historical and thick in Indonesian elements. 1. Anomali Coffee Image Credit: Anomali Coffee on Facebook Indonesian coffee beans have drawn the attention of many across the globe, including Starbucks, the world’s largest coffee chain. Far before it opened its first store in Indonesia in 2002, Starbucks has used Sumatran single-origin coffee as its staple offering since 1971. If you are a coffee addict, you need to visit Anomali Coffee, an established coffee chain known to popularize authentic Indonesian coffee. Indonesia itself has made a name for itself as one of the world’s best coffee producing regions and in Anomali Coffee, you can find and taste a variety of coffee beans from all over the country one time, such as Gayo coffee from Aceh and Toraja coffee from South Sulawesi. Established in 2007, Anomali tries to promote Indonesian specialty coffee. It provides freshly roasted coffee under home roasters’ highest standard, but they remained affordable with price ranging from Rp 30,000 to Rp 60,000 for a cup of coffee. Its headquarters is located on Jl. Senopati No. 19 in Kebayoran Baru, South Jakarta, but it has six branches across the capital, from Menteng in Central Jakarta to Kemang in South Jakarta. Website | Facebook | Instagram Address: Jl. Senopati No. 19 in Kebayoran Baru South JakartaOpening hour: 9 AM - 11 PM 2. Tesate Image Credit: Tesate on Facebook Tesate is known for offering a wide selection of Indonesian traditional dishes, from tahu pong (Rp 55,000), a crunchy tofu dish that is golden outside but silky and hollow inside with sweet sauce, sate sapi maranggi (Rp 124,000), spiced tender beef satay coated in toasted grated coconut to lonton cap go meh (Rp 111,000) rice cake served with bamboo shoots curry and chilli prawn. Tesate derives from the word sate that means satay. That is why its signature dish is various satays, such as sate sapi makassar from Makassar in South Sulawesi, an exotic combination of aromatic beef with mouth-watering, intensely sour starfruit, and sate lilit from Bali, crab or duck meat, minced with spices and herbs and wrapped in lemongrass. Tesate, which first opened its doors in Jakarta in 2008, is located on Jl. Sam Ratulangi No. 39 in Menteng, Central Java and inside two big shopping malls in Jakarta, namely Plaza Senayan and Pacific Place in South Jakarta. Website | Facebook | Instagram Address: Jl. Sam Ratulangi No. 39 in Menteng Central JavaOpening hours: 10 AM -11 PM 3. Burgreens Image Credit: Burgreens Burgreens is Jakarta’s first organic healthy plant-based eatery and catering. It was founded by a vegetarian couple, -- Max Mandias and Helga, who both believes that what we eat impacts not only our health but also animal, farmers’ welfare and environmental sustainability. Max himself is a certified plant-based nutritionist and chef. 90% of Max’s menus are vegan. They contain natural fibers, plant-based protein, complex carbs and good fat in balance. Learning that dairy is hard to digest and may create allergies to some people, he uses natural dairy made from grass-fed, antibiotic-free and hormone-free cows. He also uses a small amount of local sea salt and liquid amino to spice up his menu. To make it taste good, he simply utilizes local herbs. His signature dish is Vegan Big Max (Rp 72,000), double patties on a whole wheat bun with homemade sauce, served with chips, and vegan ramen (Rp 75,000), organic palm noodle in sesame miso soup served with organic tofu, greens, and shiitake mushroom. In Jakarta, you can find Burgreens in six locations, such as Burgreens Menteng on Jl. K.H. Wahid Hasyim No. 47 in Menteng, Central Jakarta and Burgreens Darmawangsa on Jl. Wijaya II No. 37 in Kebayoran Baru in South Jakarta. Website | Instagram Address: on Jl. K.H. Wahid Hasyim No. 47 in Menteng Central JakartaOpening hours: 10 AM - 11 PM 4. Giyanti Coffee Roastery Image Credit: Giyanti Coffee Roastery on Facebook Giyanti Coffee Roastery is one of the hidden gems in Jakarta. To find this care, you need to walk down a narrow alley on Jl. Surabaya No. 20 in Menteng, Central Jakarta. Having existed since 2012, Giyanti serves not only coffee but also a variety of bread that they make from scratch. Giyanti, which derives from the Javanese word Babat Giyanti, offers almond croissant, pain au chocolate, apple pie, and egg tart portugu. They all are affordable with prices ranging from Rp 37,000 to Rp 47,000. Like those puff pastries, cakes this café offers are also mouthwatering, such as bolu pandan, carrot cake and lamington. Giyanti uses organic coffee beans. To roast them, the café uses Italy-made Petrocini coffee roaster. Unlike other roasters in the market, this Italian roaster can measure beans temperature so accurately that the coffee they serve is like no others. Website | Facebook | Instagram Address: Jl. Surabaya No. 20 in Menteng Central JakartaOpening hours: 9.30 AM - 5.30 PM 5. Maison Weiner Image Credit: Maison Weiner Bakery on Instagram Maison Weiner is a café and cake shop where you can enjoy the most authentic Dutch bread and pastries in Jakarta. Located on Jl. Kramat II in Kwitang, Central Jakarta. Maison Weiner is the oldest bakery in the capital. Having existed since 1936, the place offers cakes and bread with the same recipes enjoyed by the Dutch people when Batavia, now Jakarta, was under the Dutch rule. Indonesia gained Independence in August 1945. At Maison Weiner, you can find various Dutch cakes, such as ontbijtkoek, a soft Dutch spiced rye cake, and kerstkrans, a Dutch Christmas ring filled with fragrant almond paste and finished with a sugar glaze that resembles snow. Their prices range from Rp 15,000 to Rp 300,000. Maison Weiner was founded by Lee Liang Mey, an Indonesian of Chinese descent. She learned to bake from her boss, a Dutch baker, at a Dutch bakery in Batavia. It was her boss who motivated her to open her own bakery. The name Maison Weiner was given by the Dutch baker. Today, Maison Weiner is under the management of Lee’s grandson, Heru Laksana. He does not change the exterior and interior of the café so that you can feel the atmosphere of Jakarta old days when enjoying a cup of hot coffee with Dutch bread and pastries there. Instagram Address: Jl. Kramat II in Kwitang Central JakartaOpening hours: 9 AM - 8 PM...
Jakarta, the capital of Indonesia, is home to over 20 interesting museums you can find easily once you land in this big city. Here are five must-visit museums we recommend if you come to Jakarta to learn about its history as well as to find Instagrammable spots to take a selfie for your social media accounts. 1. The National Museum of Indonesia Credit: @adzlinaabdullah on Instagram Located along Jl. Medan Merdeka Barat in Central Jakarta, the National Museum of Indonesia is one of the most popular museums in Indonesia. It is home to 141,000 artifacts, including 61,600 prehistoric and anthropological artifacts, from all over Indonesia and Asia. This museum, which was established by the Dutch East Indies government in 1862, is known as the Elephant Museum as it has a bronze elephant statue in its forecourt. What makes this museum special is that it has a comprehensive collection of stone statues of classical Hindu-Buddhist period of ancient Java and Sumatra. Credit: @ullulaz on Instagram Some of the Hindu-Buddhist sculptures, relics inscriptions are on display in the lobby of the museum. Among them is Buddha statues from Borobudur temple, the world’s largest Buddhist temple. In the museum, the largest artifact is the statue of Adityavarman, the cousin of Jayanegara, the king of Majapahit in the 1300s. The statue, which is 4 meters in height, was discovered in Padang Roco, West Sumatra before it was moved to the museum. Having opened its doors to the public since 1868, the National Museum of Indonesia is also regarded as one of the finest museums in Southeast Asia. To get there, you can take a Transjakarta bus and stop at the Monas station. Address: Jl. Medan Merdeka Barat No. 12. Central JakartaTicket Price: Rp 3,000 (Children) | Rp 5,000 (Adults) | Rp 10,000 (Foreigners)Operating Hours: 8AM to 4PM (Tue-Sun) 2. Fatahilah Museum Credit: @benedictusrendra on Instagram If you are in Jakarta and are asking the Jakartans on the location of the Jakarta History Museum, they might be confused. However, if you mention the Fatahillah Museum, they will show you the way to get there because the Jakarta History Museum is locally known as the Fatahillah Museum. Constructed by the Dutch government in the early 1600s, this museum is located in the south side of Fatahilah Square, Old Town area. This area is one of the most famous tourist destinations within the capital. Having opened its doors to the public since 1974, Fatahillah Museum showcases 23,500 artefacts from the prehistoric period of the city, the Dutch colonization period to the era of Indonesia’s Independence in 1945. Among displayed items are historic maps, ceramics, paintings, furniture, and archeological objects. They are saved in several rooms, such as Prehistoric Jakarta Room, Tarumanegara Room, Jayakarta Room, Fatahillah Room, Sultan Agung Room, and the MH Thamrin Room. Fatahillah Museum is also home to Betawi-style furniture from the 17th to 19th century. What makes this museum more special is that it has cells used as dungeons during the era of Dutch colonization. A Javanese freedom fighter named Prince Diponegoro was imprisoned here in 1830 before he was banished to Manado, North Sulawesi. Address: Jl. Taman Fatahillah No. 1. West JakartaTicket Price: Rp 3,000 (Children) | Rp 5,000 (Adults) | Rp 10,000 (Foreigners)Operating Hours: 8AM to 5PM (Tue-Sun) 3. Taman Prasasti Museum Credit: @neilamadeusy on Instagram Unlike ordinary museums, Taman Prasasti Museum's main attraction is the Dutch gravestones. This museum is a cemetery of noble people established by the Dutch government in 1795. One of the those buried in this cemetery is Olivia Mariamne Raffles, the wife of British governor-general Thomas Stamford Raffles involved in the conquest of Java island from the Dutch. Credit: @neilamadeusy on Instagram Officially opened in September 1797, the 5.9-hectare-Taman Prasasti Museum is the oldest modern cemetery in the world. The oldest gravestones came from the 17th century to the end of the 18th century. At that time, this cemetery was established to accommodate the rising number of death caused by an outbreak of a disease in Batavia, now Jakarta. In this museum, you can also find ancient inscription stones, the miniature of various styles of gravestones in Indonesia, and the original coffins for Indonesia’s first president and vice president, Sukarno, and Mohammad Hatta. Address: Jl. Tanah Abang No. 1. Gambir, Central JakartaTicket Price: Rp 3,000 (Children) | Rp 5,000 (Adults) | Rp 10,000 (Foreigners)Operating Hours: 9AM to 3PM (Tue-Sun) 4. Basoeki Abdullah Museum Credit: Museum Basoeki Abdullah on Facebook The Basoeki Abdullah Museum in South Jakarta is the private house of late maestro painter Basoeki Abdullah. The house became a museum in 2001 after its owner was murdered on November 5, 1993. He was killed by his gardener who tried to steal his expensive watches. This museum displays Basoeki’s 720 paintings and 123 works of art he had collected throughout his life. This place also showcased the watches and a blood-stained pajama and glasses that the renowned artist was wearing when the tragedy happened in 1993. Basoeki is known for his beautiful landscape paintings of Indonesia’s nature and portrait paintings of important public figures across the globe, from Indonesia’s first president Sukarno to India’s Mahatma Gandhi. Born on January 27, 1915, in Surakarta, Central Java, Basoeki was the grandson of national hero Wahidin Sudirohusodo. His artistic ability, however, was inherited from his father, Abdullah Soerjosoebroto, a renowned landscape painter. He was a Western-educated painter who started painting when he was 4 years old. He received a scholarship to study at Academie Voor Beldeende Kunsten in the Netherlands from 1935 to 1937 and then pursued his higher education at the Academy of Fine Arts in Paris, France. Address: Jl. Keuangan Raya No. 19, Cilandak, South JakartaTicket Price: Rp 1,000 (Children) | Rp 2,000 (Adult) | Rp 10,000 (Foreigners)Operating Hours: 8AM to 4PM (Tue-Sun) 5. Museum MACAN Credit: @museummacan on Instagram The Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art in Nusantara (Museum MACAN) is Indonesia’s first world-class museum dedicated to modern and contemporary art. Last year, it was named by TIME Magazine one of the world’s Top 100 Places to Visit in 2018. Established by businessman and renowned collector Haryanto Adikoesoemo, the museum has opened its doors to the public since 2017. This museum is home to Haryanto’s personal collection of more than 800 international and Indonesian works of art, including pieces by the likes of Japanese artist Yayoi Kusama, American artists Andy Warhol and Keith Haring, and Indonesian artists Heri Dono and Arahmaiani. Credit: @museummacan on Instagram What makes Museum MACAN even more special is that it is also a picture worthy place. Many young people who visit this place like to take selfies with the artworks. This place also provides various educational programs for people of all ages, such as an educator’s forum, where a regular group of teachers can tour the museum each time a new exhibition is opened and speak to the curators. Credit: @museummacan on Instagram This museum also accommodates Indonesian artists to showcase their work but also allow them to do art performance. Some of the big names who have performed in this museum are Arahmaiani, Tisna Sanjaya, FX Harsono and Agung Kurniawan. Address: AKR Tower Level MM, Jl. Perjuangan No.5, Kebon Jeruk, West JakartaTicket Price: Rp 40,000 (Students) | Rp 50,000 (Adults)Operating Hours: 10AM to 6PM (Tue-Sun)...
Nasi Goreng (fried rice) is the all-time favorite Indonesian dish. Last year, it was the runner-up in the list of the world’s 50 best foods by CNN readers. This homemade dish, — cooked rice stir-fried in a frying pan and usually served with eggs, vegetables, seafood, fried chicken and meat, and crackers, is so popular that you can find its sellers easily across the archipelago. via GIPHY In Jakarta, top-notch nasi goreng dishes are here and there. Here are five of the best nasi goreng I recommend you to try to taste, right after you land in the capital. 1. Nasi Goreng Kambing Kebon Sirih Credit: @bikingendut on Instagram Nasi Goreng Kambing Kebon Sirih is an eatery located on a corner of bustling Jl. Kebon Sirih Raya in Menteng, Central Jakarta. It is widely popular as one of the must-visit culinary gems in the capital. Kambing means goat in English. As the name suggests, nasi goreng here is served with diced tender mutton. It is also known as one of the most legendary fried rice in Jakarta because the stall itself has existed for over 50 years. At this food stall, foodies usually enjoy the nasi goreng with so-called emping (fried crackers made from melinjo nut kernels). Emping, which tastes slightly bitter, enriches the savory of the mutton fried rice. Nasi Goreng Kambing Kebon Sirih, which is open from 5 p.m. to 3 a.m. every day, sells the mutton fried rice for Rp 41,000 per serving. If mutton is a problem for you, you can order a bowl of fried rice with shredded fried chicken and it is sold at the same price. It has also opened branches in Bintaro and Blok M in South Jakarta, Cinere in Depok, West Java and Pamulang in South Tangerang. Address: Jl. H. Agus Salim No.41B, RT.1/RW.1, Kb. Sirih, Menteng, Kota Jakarta Pusat, Daerah Khusus Ibukota Jakarta 10340, IndonesiaOpening Hours: 11AM to 2AM.Contact: +62811190775 2. Nasi Goreng Kebuli Apjay Credit: @chubbytraveller on Instagram Nasi Goreng Kebuli Apjay is located on Jl. Panglima Polim IX No. 19 in South Jakarta. Apjay is the abbreviation for Apotek Jaya (Jaya Drugstore) because the position of this eatery is in front of that shop. Nasi Goreng Kebuli Apjay is unique because the rice that the seller fry is nasi kebuli (spiced rice), which is a popular Middle Eastern delicacy. Like Nasi Goreng Kebon Sirih, this eatery also mixes the fried rice with large cuts of diced tender muttons. It is spicily delicious with a perfect sunny-side-up egg and crackers on top and slices of fresh cucumbers and pickled carrots in turmeric sauce. Every day, this eatery opens its door from 5 p.m. until midnight and a mutton fried rice is sold at Rp 29,000 per serving. If the fried rice is not your favorite, you can order other popular Indonesian dishes here, such as bakmi goreng (fried noodles), bakmi godog (boiled noodles) and martabak (deep-fried stuffed pancake). Address: Jl. Panglima Polim 9, Dharmawangsa, JakartaOpening Hours: 5PM to 2AMContact: +628128359996 3. Nasi Goreng Ijo Thole Credit: @temenbuncit on Instagram Ijo is a Javanese word that means green in English. That is why the color of fried rice in this place is green. If you are interested to taste this green fried rice, you can directly go to Nasi Goreng Ijo Thole on Jl. Panglima Polim V No. 4, Dharmawangsa, Jakarta. It is not a color additive that makes the fried rice green because the seller does not add it to the rice when cooking it. The green color comes from mustard greens. Therefore, this dish is not only delicious but also healthy! A bowl of green fried rice topped with a fried egg and slices of fried chicken is sold for Rp 14,000 per portion. If green is not your favorite color, you may try to taste the red fried rice or black fried rice. The red color comes from beetroot, while the black one is from squid ink. The red fried rice is sold at Rp 15,000 per serving, and the black one Rp 17,000 per serving. If you want to taste the flavor of mustard greens, beetroot and squid ink in one plate, you can order Nasi Goreng Warna Warni (Three colors fried rice). It is sold at Rp 20,000 per serving. Address: Jl. Panglima Polim V No. 4, Dharmawangsa, JakartaOpening Hours: 6PM to 1AMContact: +6281283739335 4. Nasi Goreng Rempah Mafia Credit: Nasi Goreng Mafia on Facebook Nasi Goreng Rempah Mafia is located on Jl. Tebet Raya No. 27 D, Tebet, South Jakarta. Indonesian people are known for their huge love for spicy foods and in this place, you can find various kind of fried rice with different spicy levels. What is more interesting is that the fried rice have unusual names, such as Gangster, Triad (Chinese transnational organized crime syndicates) and Yakuza (Japanese gangsters). One of the most favorite fried rice in this place is Yakuza fried rice. It is a bowl of dark-colored fried rice mixed with green chili and kikil (beef tendon). This fried rice is not is not too spicy and too oily and the kikil itself is also tender. It is sold at Rp 23,500 per serving. If you order Triad, you will get reddish fried rice mixed with dried shrimp and red chili. This eatery also offers a variety of toppings, from fried meatballs, fried sausages to chicken satay. Address: Jl. Tebet Raya No. 27D, Tebet, South JakartaOpening Hours: 10AM to 11PMContact: +622183785343Website | Facebook | Instagram 5. Nasi Goreng Gila OK Credit: Vici Sienna on Zomato Located on Jl. Sidoarjo No. 3 in Menteng, Central Jakarta, Nasi Goreng Gila OK has existed since 1999. Gila means crazy in English and this fried rice is said crazy because it mixes rice with kwetiau (flat rice noodles). What makes this dish more special is that it tops with otak-otak (fish cake). The otak-otak makes this brown spicy fried rice not only different but also more tasteful. A bowl of crazy fried rice is sold at Rp 25,000. If you do not want otak-otak, you can order fried rice mixed with chicken, salted fish or anchovy. Address: Jl. Sidoarjo No. 3, Menteng, Central JakartaOpening Hours: 5PM to 3AMContact: +6287888847199...
With the busy roads in Jakarta, it might take awhile for you to get around. So, why not make a couple of stops at these mosques during your journey. Some of them might not be very instragrammable, but they are all worth the visit due to their rich history. Let's look at 4 of Jakarta's must-visit mosques! Read about Jakarta Islamic Centre 1. Cut Meutia Mosque Picture: RinduMasjid As a former colony of the Netherlands, Indonesia has many European-styled buildings in Jakarta, known as Batavia in the past. One of them is N.V. Bouwploeg, the office of Dutch architect Pieter Adriaan Jacobus Moojen. Established in 1879, it has now been converted into the Cut Meutia Mosque. The mosque is named after Indonesian national heroine Cut Nyak Meutia(1870-1910), who fought against Dutch colonizers in Aceh. When governor Ali Sadikin led the capital city, he turned the two-floor building into a provincial mosque in 1987 to meet the demand of people who wanted to have a mosque in Menteng. The 950-meter-square mosque can accommodate around 1,000 people. What’s unique about the mosque is its architecture that follows the Dutch Rationalist style and a ventilation tower in the center to control the temperature inside. Cut Meutia Mosque is 1.3km from the Gondangdia train station. From the station, you can take a walk to the mosque. However, an easier alternative would be via a taxi, a motorcycle taxi(ojek) using Gojek or Grab. Address: Jl. Cut Meutia No. 1, Menteng, Central JakartaOpening Hours: 4AM-9PMContact: 021-3103941Website: MasjidCutMeutia 2. Istiqlal Grand Mosque Picture: ArtWolfe Istiqlal Grand Mosque is special, not only because it is the largest mosque in Southeast Asia, but also because of its location. It's positioned right next to Jakarta Cathedral Church and has become the symbol of inter-religious harmony and tolerance in Indonesia. This magnificient mosque, which has been open to the public since February 1978, is also near the capital city’s icon and major tourist site known as the National Monument (Monas). Istiqlal is an Arabic word which means independence. This mosque was constructed to commemorate Indonesia’s Independence Day on Aug 17 1945, hence the name. The idea of making this grand mosque came from Muslim figure Wahid Hasyim, Indonesia’s first religion affairs minister. However, its design was made by Christian architect Friedrich Silaban. Istiqlal mosque, which occupies 2.5 hectares of a total 9.3 hectares of land manages to accommodate approximately 200,000 people. The mosque is huge but you do not need to worry about finding a way to get in because it has seven entrances. There are many public transports around but I recommend you to take a Transjakarta bus to avoid traffic congestion. Address: Jl. Taman Wijaya Kusuma, Daerah Khusus Ibukota Jakarta 10710Opening Hours: 4AM-12PMContact: 021 3811708Website: Istiqlal 3. Sunda Kelapa Mosque Picture: Center For Pluralism Sunda Kelapa Mosque is unique because it looks like a boat. It also has no dome, star-crescent symbol, bedug(traditional drum) and other things that you are used to see in common mosques in Indonesia. In Sunda Kelapa Mosque, the boat shape is a symbol of Sunda Kelapa Port, a famous port in Batavia in the 14th century which is now located in Jakarta. At that time, many Muslim-Arab traders sailed their ships into the port for business. It was during this period that Islam was spread to the whole city. Having existed since 1960, the mosque is located near the Vice President's official residence and the popular Suropati garden, where people like to hang out in the afternoon. Unlike Istiqlal Grand Mosque, Sunda Kelapa Mosque does not have a Transjakarta bus stop nearby. Therefore, you would need to take a taxi or motorcycle taxi(ojek) Gojek or Grab to visit. Address: Jl. Taman Sunda Kelapa No.16,Daerah Khusus Ibukota Jakarta 10310Opening Hours: 4AM-9PMContact: (021) 31934261 4. Jami’ Kebon Jeruk Mosque Jami’ Kebon Jeruk Mosque is the first Chinese-Muslim mosque in Jakarta that has existed since the era of Dutch colonialism in East Indies, now Indonesia. It is constructed by Chinese-Muslim Chau Tsin Hwu and his wife, Fatima Hwu in 1718 on 1.5 hectare of land. They left China because majority of the Buddhist people there rejected their presence. It is believed that they built the mosque to accommodate Chinese-Muslims in East Indies to pray because at that time, they were often mocked by locals when they prayed at common mosques. In 1972, Jakarta city administration named Jami’ Kebon Jeruk as a historical building. Address: l. Hayam Wuruk No. 83, West JakartaOpening Hours: 4AM-8PM Read more about Jakarta...
Prayer times for Jakarta,Indonesia