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Where to get the most authentic Chinese dishes in Jakarta
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T
he 2024 Lunar New Year is around the corner, and there is no better way to celebrate the Year of the Wood Dragon than by enjoying authentic Chinese dishes.
We’ve listed five of our recommended spots that have been serving Chinese cuisine, ranging from Hokkien specialties to comforting favorites, for decades. Whether you plan to visit for Lunar New Year or just to satisfy a craving, we hope you enjoy this taste of heritage.
1. Eka Ria
Address: Jl. Kyai Haji Zainul Arifin No.21A - 23, Central Jakarta
Price Range: $$
Launched in 1925 by Tjoeng Tan, the restaurant was known as Jit Lok Jun when it opened its doors in what is now Glodok. Today, it is considered one of the oldest Chinese restaurants in the city.
From its classic bakmie goreng ayam, to the must-try nasi manis (Chinese rice pudding with sweet sauce), all are cooked to perfection. Other heritage dishes include roast pigeon and Shanghai roast duck skin.
The decor skews contemporary as it changed its design from classic to modern style back in 2019, ushering in a new customer base. To meet the growing demand for its authentic food, it opened a branch in BSD City, Banten, in 2009.
Legend:
$$ - Rp 100,000-200,000 per person
$$$ - Rp 200,000-400,000-per person
2. Sanur Restaurant
Address: Jl. Ir. H. Juanda III No. 31 J, Gambir, Central Jakarta
Price Range: $$$
Not to be confused by an area on the island of Bali, the restaurant opened its doors in the 1940s and is now established as a go-to place for authentic Chinese seafood. Stepping through its doors will take you back to a bygone era, with its old-fashioned decor and waiters’ uniforms.
The food itself is exquisite and classic. While its array of dishes might be on the expensive side, they are well worth it. From classic plates like sweet and sour chicken, or crab and corn soup, to the more controversial ones like braised shark’s fin, this place does not disappoint. Its specialty, however, is cuttlefish with oyster butter sauce.
The family-owned restaurant has had customers coming back for generations because of its consistency, and an environment where everyone feels like family.
3. Siauw A Tjiap
Address: Jl. Pluit Kencana Raya No. 68, Pluit, North Jakarta
Price Range: $$
Dating back to 1923, Siauw A Tjiap traces its history to Hokkien immigrants who settled in Jakarta’s Glodok district. In 1985, the restaurant moved from its original location on Jl. Pancoran to Pluit, but Siauw A Tjiap’s legendary taste has remained the same ever since.
Currently run by the family’s third- and fourth-generation descendants, Siauw A Tjiap offers an array of Hokkien dishes, with favorites including ngohiong (five-spice pork rolls), bakmi goreng (fried noodles), babi hong (pork belly braised in soy sauce, garlic and five-spice powder) and egg foo young.
Diners can expect a small yet cozy ambiance in addition to the home-style dishes. Siauw A Tjiap also has another branch located in Kelapa Gading.
4. Wong Fu Kie
Address: Jl. Perniagaan Timur II No. 22, Toko Tiga, West Jakarta
Price Range: $$
Located deep in the heart of the Chinese community in Jakarta, Glodok, Wong Fu Kie is a restaurant that has been around for almost 100 years. In fact, this is the oldest Hakka restaurant in the capital city.
Opened in 1925 in a narrow alley, the establishment quickly became a favorite over the years because of the quintessentially traditional ambiance that new restaurants can only aspire to.
A must-try is its signature dish, mun kiaw mien. In fact, it is probably the only place left that still sells these addictive stir-fried noodles. Unlike other classic noodle dishes, the Hakka delicacy does not require the use of soy sauce, and has to be served with fried dumplings.
Other classic Hakka dishes include lindung cah fuma (fried eel), and pek cham kee (braised chicken). It now has a second, larger branch at Pantjoran Pantai Indah Kapuk in North Jakarta.
5. Angke Restaurant
Address: Various locations
Price Range: $$$
For those that prefer salty over sweet, Angke is a must-visit. Now considered one of the most famous Chinese restaurants in the city, it started from humble beginnings: as a two-table kiosk set up by a married couple in 1956 to sell salted chicken with a side of beer and/or tea.
Today, the restaurant is led by the grandson of the founders themselves, with branches in North Jakarta, West Jakarta and Tangerang, Banten. All traces of the small kiosk are long gone, with its branches spacious enough to hold larger parties and even events.
The one thing that remains is the delicious taste of the salty chicken and all the other must-try dishes on its menu.
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This article is part of The Weekender, which comes out on the Saturday edition of The Jakarta Post. It offers a variety of lifestyle and culture articles aimed at enriching your reading experience. Subscribe here to get access to the Saturday edition and all other premium content from the Post.
