Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner... Jakarta, Indonesia!

Jakarta wasn't going to make it easy for me, I did my best to find three elements for this 'Indonesian' edition of 'Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner...!' From 'Soto Ayam' to a local variation of 'Nasi Goreng'. I was learning that a Malaysian flavour would crop up, serving something familiar. 'Ancol?' The port was in my sights but I chose a less trodden path to see those waters!

The apps were not giving me life and I didn't have time to read other travel blogs, I trusted the streets for that breakfast choice! 'Soto' what? I had to keep an open mind as I walked towards my intended Jakarta Commuterline Train, breakfast would be served street-side! My Gambir located hotel didn't serve up anything local, I was forced to be adventurous and then some! As I turned the corner from 'Hayam Wuruk Street' onto 'Jl. Ir. H. Juanda', my breakfast spot was the second one I found because there was a language issue at the first place and I was too hungry to loiter without the promise of food ordered. Looking for 'Sawah Besar' station had me on something, I walked along a very uneven road with traffic whizzing past in the most erratic manner. Breakfast in Jakarta kept me on my toes, I was finding out that I needed to keep an on eye other things, not just my hunger pangs! I had no idea what people in Jakarta had for breakfast? I didn't want to eat at any franchises! What's a Jakarta breakfast staple? Tell me, JK! 

I saw a street seller with his movable food trolley, it was extremely local and a sight that I wanted to see! I sort of remembered the word for 'chicken' in Malay, that I had naturally seen whilst travelling in Malaysia during December 2023. The word 'soto' stood for 'soup', now I wasn't about to pass up a bowl of 'chicken soup' for breakfast! I ordered my bowl of chicken soup with haste because, the price impressed me, it did! With each taste of this broth, I could taste ginger and lemongrass flavours coming to life. I loved the crackers served on the side, I was going to love those whilst I was in Indonesia! The chicken was shredded and soft, it was a light yet filling dish. I added a couple of spoonfuls of rice to my already tasty soup, this helped me feel fuller. I paired this breakfast choice with a bottle of water because the humidity was building, I needed hydration! My Soto Ayam was a success, it was a local find and tasted great! My faith grew, from the start I could tell that Indonesian food would be a winner! Feeling better, I carried on swiftly! 

The jewel in Jakarta's crown? Ancol kept me guessing because where was that waterfront? Truth be told, I ditched any chance to see the waterfront or a beach for a restaurant that was located on the harbour. Wanting to do things independently, I took a taxi to that location because I had read that whisperers stated it was sketchy? I was confused because many developments lay on that Jakarta waterfront. I am sure my driver thought I was crazy going in that direction. Let's rewind a few steps because I had just concluded my time at 'Taman Fatahillah' and wanted to see something that resembled the ocean because my time in Bali was far off from that point in the trip. Those Jakarta roads were crazy and the first driver cancelled on me, surely the universe was telling me to change my plans? I didn't listen! Heading in the correct location, 'Marina Batavia' was my intended location. What was I thinking? Truth be told once again, I wasn't! On reflection, I won't apologise for this decision because I wanted to follow the pace of the river, J! 

Following the ways of the 'Ciliwung River', I arrived at a rather regal looking restaurant that was in a very questionable neighbourhood. This place wasn't going to serve me 'Lunch' in the eating respect because I would find those prices to be absolutely criminal! Nevertheless, I entered my 'sleuth era' as I made my way to the back of the building without seeing any staff members, I didn't want conversation. I wanted my photo of the cargo ships, I knew what I wanted to do! I got my photo, I was able to catch a glimpse of a range of vessels, from gigantic cargo vessels in the distance to nearby 'Bali' boats. The mix of boats was clear, I didn't get side tracked by any tourist attractions, it was like I had entered my own secret viewpoint. Tourist beaches are overrated and I had Bali to look forward to! Ancol's realness had me looking over my shoulder but I wanted a little spice! I wanted to take a little break before my evening meal, I wanted a certain snack! I was ready to activate my own period of shadiness. Haram? 100%, so you know! 

An appetite had been worked up, I needed something for my evening meal! Getting online, I found a student area that was accessible by taxi. I had been looking on Instagram for something to eat that was truly Indonesian but simple. I had clocked a dish called 'Nasi Uduk', served at a street food style open air venue near to the location I was dropped off at. Cut to the taxi, I usually choose 'Grab' cars whilst I am in South East Asia but the cabs at the hotel seemed like an easier option. With those app taxis, a price can be negotiated so finding change or the right amount of money isn't a thing! I chose the metered taxi because I wanted to embark on a worthwhile maths lesson? Clearly! Jakarta's nighttime traffic wasn't bad, it was nice to see the roads clear and the buildings lit up as I headed south. I got out of my taxi at a crossroad, the location for that market wasn't clear and I wasn't wasting my time obsessing over a specific dish because life took me to the streets. Sobriety was in the air, I had to get used to this 'alcohol free' situation fast! Not this! 

I walked and walked but I needed to eat, it was either 'Satay' or 'Nasi Goreng'. I felt conflicted because I had featured that rice dish in my Kuala Lumpur edition of 'Breakfast Lunch & Dinner...' and I didn't want to repeat myself. I needed to get over that hang up to realise that the same dish might well have an Indonesian spin on it? I wasn't wrong, I got a new experience with that roadside stall, it was easy to order and I was able to hop over to another stall to get an iced tea. I was super impressed with that Indonesian style 'Nasi Goreng', it had a rich taste and with the crackers it added a new flavour. Those crackers! I knew that this repetition was meant to be but no habit will be made, it was just a one time thing I did in Jakarta! I devoured that rice dish, the egg on top was salty and crispy, the guy really cooked the dish to perfection and I had a real spoon on the side of the road. That relaxed area in Jakarta felt a long way from the craziness of Gambir! Jakarta added his own spice earlier on, I didn't need any dessert! Jakarta did impress! 

Deliciously DL? Yes, Sir! 

Desperately Seeking Adventure