Welcome to the new home of A Chef's Tour. Bigger, bolder and tastier than ever.

Jakarta Nights

Nasi uduk in coconut, soto Betawi in beef broth and kerak telor from the streetside. Jakarta eats the crossroads of the archipelago.

Jakarta NightsBoat noodles at Wattana, poured through the same copper strainer since 1972.Roti pan just off Charoen Krung — mutton wrap, four hours a day, four generations.The grandmother whose nam prik recipe hasn't left the family kitchen.Charcoal skewers on a dented aluminium tray in Talat Noi.Wok flames at closing hour — Bang Rak, well past midnight.

Hosted by our Jakarta tastemaker

Experience hosted by Sisil

What you can expect

Jakarta food tour - Jakarta doesn't ease into the evening. As office towers empty and the tropical heat begins to soften, pavements transform into open-air kitchens. Charcoal glows beneath skewers, woks roar over fierce flames, and food carts emerge from every direction to feed one of the world's largest cities. This is a capital built by traders, migrants and merchants. Chinese settlers, Sundanese farmers, Javanese cooks, Arab traders, Dutch colonists and communities from across Indonesia have all left something simmering in the pot. The result is a street food scene so vast and varied it comfortably stands alongside the great food capitals of Asia.

1

Support local

Every stop on this tour keeps money in the hands of the families, cooks and market traders.

2

Original tours

Every route is curated hand-in-hand with our local tastemakers, not a template licensed from another operator.

3

More tastings

There's more tastings on our experiences than any other food tours, offering a proper introduction to Jakarta's culinary scene.

The essentials

Destination

Jakarta, Indonesia

Duration

3.5-4 hours

Tastings

15+ tastings

Language

English

Days of the week

Everyday

Group size

Small group up to 8 guests

* Interested in ?

Transport

Walking tour with 7-8 stops

Included

  • More tastings than any other Jakarta food tour
  • Smallest group size in Jakarta
  • Led by Jakarta tastemaker guides
  • Bottled water and other drinks included

Excluded

  • Alcoholic drinks
  • Pick up and drop off from hotel excluded

Field archive

Jakarta

No. 001

—

Jakarta

01 / 07

Route notes

Tours are subject to change depending on vendor opening hours, time of year and other factors.

1

<p>You start by telling your group that&nbsp;<strong>Glodok</strong>&nbsp;is not just a meeting point but a threshold into Jakarta’s oldest and most layered Chinatown, the space before you was designated by the Dutch East India Company in November 1740 as the residential enclave for the city’s ethnic Chinese community.</p><p>Lean into the weight of that founding moment: following the tragedy of the 1740 massacre, the VOC relocated the Chinese population just outside the city walls, birthing what we now know as Glodok.

2

<p>When you arrive at <strong>Combro Pedas Pancoran</strong>, you're stepping into a slice of everyday life in Jakarta.

You’ll try

West javan stuffed cassavaTapioca fritter

3

A neighbourhood street vendor.

You’ll try

Rolled egg skewers

4

<p>At <strong>Bakso Pikul Pancoran</strong>, you're experiencing a taste of Jakarta's culinary heritage.

You’ll try

Beef meatballs soup

Boat noodles at Wattana, poured through the same copper strainer since 1972.

No. 002

Boat noodles at Wattana, poured through the same copper strainer since 1972.

Jakarta

Field notes

1

Included

More tastings than any other Jakarta food tour, Smallest group size in Jakarta, Led by Jakarta tastemaker guides, and Bottled water and other drinks included.

2

Not included

Alcoholic drinks and Pick up and drop off from hotel excluded.

3

Meeting point

Yaowarat. Your guide will meet you at the exit ten minutes before departure; a WhatsApp thread lands in your inbox within an hour of booking.

4

Good to know

Rain or shine, this tour still runs. Vegetarians are catered for with substitutions; the route isn't suitable for wheelchairs.

5

Dietary honesty

Vegetarian works with some substitutions. Gluten-free means several tastings are omitted. Vegan isn't recommended for this particular tour.

6

Cancellation

Reserve now, pay later. Cancel any time up to 24 hours before departure at no charge; after that, the booking is non-refundable.

Meet your tastemakers

Silva Sulistiawati

Sisil

Silva S

Sisil is endlessly curious about Indonesia's rich culinary traditions and loves introducing guests to the flavours that define the country's diverse food culture. Friendly, knowledgeable and always ready with a great story, she brings every stop on the tour to life through the people behind the food.

Meeting point

Where the tour starts — and where it ends up.

Start

Chinatown Kawasan Pancoran Glodok

Jl. Pancoran, RT.6/RW.6, Glodok, Kec. Taman Sari, Kota Jakarta Barat, Daerah Khusus Ibukota Jakarta 11120, Indonesia

Start map
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End

Kawisari Cafe & Eatery

RSVP only at 0878-8319-5051, Jl. Kebon Sirih No.77A, RT.1/RW.1, Kb. Sirih, Kec. Menteng, Kota Jakarta Pusat, Daerah Khusus Ibukota Jakarta 10340, Indonesia

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Reviews

Reviews

Coming soon. Guest reviews from the first departures land here.

Ready?

Eat Jakarta with us.

An evening of charcoal smoke, family recipes and the stories behind them. From US$39 per guest.