Jakarta Delicacies for the Daring Diner

By: Hush Petersen, first published in Jakarta Expat

It’s hard to put your finger on what makes Ben Hil (short for Bendungan Hilir), right at the heart of the city, the go-to spot for street food. Maybe it’s the atmosphere—the perpetually wet streets, the howl of the bemo, the ubiquitous banci whose Adam’s apple bobs as she points her chin at you and asks for money with those do-the-right-thing-or-else eyes.

But like nowhere else in the city Ben Hil provides long-time residents and tourists alike with a long list of food haunts like nowhere else in Jakarta. So here, in no particular order, are a few impeachable favourites. Did yours make the list?

Jakarta Insider Tips

By: Ario Triwibowo

As the most populous place in Southeast Asia, Jakarta is a bustling and a chaotic city that can easily overwhelm visitors. Being Indonesia’s capital, it is the center for both the nation’s government and the main economic sector. Behind the restlessness of everyday rush hour, Jakarta is sprawling with various attractions that you can indulge in. Whether you want to kick back and relax or party all night long, Jakarta has it all. These insider tips showcase my favorite places to eat, shop and play!

Rembang’s Special Dishes, on the hunt for Central Javanese local delicacies

By: Labodali Sembiring

Rembang is the name of one of Central Java’s northern districts, as well as its capital. Getting here from Central Java’s capital of Semarang normally takes a 2.5 hours on a motored vehicle. Visiting Rembang for the first time, I let my local friend take me to some of the town’s simple eateries serving the district’s distinct delicacies.

Nasi Tahu and Srepeh Satay

Among the town’s must-try food is nasi tahu, which literally translates as rice and tofu, and is usually enjoyed with srepeh satay. There are two only two warung, or eateries, in Rembang Town where the two are served: Warung Pak No and Warung Bu Slamet.

The first is tucked at a shaded corner next to a Chinese temple in front of an old swallow house in Rembang’s pecinan, or Chinatown. Open in the morning and at night, Pak No and his wife dish up a sweeter kind of nasi tahu than the one at Bu Slamet’s, which is situated on Jalan Wahidin. The tofu in nasi tahu is moderately ground in a mortal vessel together with cayenne pepper, tamarind, and salt. This mixture is then poured on top of warm rice served on a piece of teak leaf. The final touches to the dish are a sprinkle of beansprouts and a dash of lodeh dressing made from boiled vegetables.