Glodok Stories
Nasi uduk fragrant with coconut, soto Betawi rich with beef and kerak telor from the vendor. Jakarta eats the crossroads of the archipelago.
Hosted by our Jakarta tastemaker
Experience hosted by Sisil
What you can expect
Jakarta food tour - If Jakarta is Indonesia's engine room, then Glodok is its pantry. Long before skyscrapers reshaped the skyline, Chinese merchants were trading spices, tea, noodles and sauces through these narrow streets, creating one of Southeast Asia's oldest Chinatowns. Centuries of migration have left an indelible mark on Jakarta's table, where Hokkien techniques mingle with Javanese spices, Sundanese produce and flavours carried across an archipelago of more than 17,000 islands. There may be no better place to begin understanding Indonesian food.
The essentials
Destination
Jakarta, Indonesia
Duration
3.5-4 hours
Tastings
13+ 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
Route notes
Tours are subject to change depending on vendor opening hours, time of year and other factors.
<p>You start by telling your group that <strong>Glodok</strong> 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.
Pantjoran Tea House, nestled in the vibrant Glodok area of Jakarta, offers a delightful glimpse into the rich cultural tapestry of the city's Chinese heritage.
You’ll try
Rice and pandan dumplingSesame fried dumplings
A neighbourhood street vendor at Jl. Pancoran.
Long-running cafe with almost 100 years of history.
You’ll try
Chicken noodlesRice dish with pork and chicken
Field notes
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.
Not included
Alcoholic drinks and Pick up and drop off from hotel excluded.
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.
Good to know
Rain or shine, this tour still runs. Vegetarians are catered for with substitutions; the route isn't suitable for wheelchairs.
Dietary honesty
Vegetarian works with some substitutions. Gluten-free means several tastings are omitted. Vegan isn't recommended for this particular tour.
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
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 ends).
Chinatown Kawasan Pancoran Glodok
Jl. Pancoran, RT.6/RW.6, Glodok, Kec. Taman Sari, Kota Jakarta Barat, Daerah Khusus Ibukota Jakarta 11120, Indonesia
Reviews
Reviews
Coming soon. Guest reviews from the first departures land here.
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Eat Jakarta with us.
An evening of charcoal smoke, family recipes and the stories behind them. From US$39 per guest.