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Jakpost guide to Jl. Wahid Hasyim
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The two iconic places of Jl. Wahid Hasyim: Djakarta Theater XXI (left) and Sarinah department store (right). (JP/Wienda Parwitasari)
N
estled in the heart of the city, Jl. Wahid Hasyim in Menteng, Central Jakarta, deserves to be on tourists' must-visit list as the long stretch of road hosts a plethora of hotels and attractive restaurants.
The road is strategically located near to shopping centers such as Plaza Indonesia shopping mall and Sarinah department store, as well as Tanah Abang market, the National Monument (Monas) and Tugu Tani.
Those planning to visit Jl. Wahid Hasyim may want to check the recommended activities listed below.
How to get there
It is quite easy to reach Jl. Wahid Hasyim as you can get off at TransJakarta Busway Sarinah bus stop.
Although it is walkable, it is recommended to use ride-hailing apps such as Go-Jek, Grab or Uber, or a conventional taxi, to explore the long stretch of road.
What to wear
Due to the length of the road, visitors are advised to wear comfortable outfits, such as jeans, T-shirts and athletic shoes while exploring the area.
Read also: Jakpost guide to Jl. Benda
What to do
Movie buffs may want to pay a visit to Djakarta Theater XXI. Situated at the intersection of Jl. Wahid Hasyim and Jl. MH Thamrin, Djakarta Theater XXI is one of the longest-serving cinemas in Jakarta.
Operated by the country's largest movie theater chain Cinema 21, movie tickets are priced at Rp 35,000 (US$2.6) between Monday and Thursday, Rp 40,000 on Fridays and Rp 50,000 during weekends and public holidays.
Those wanting to see live music performances may want to drop by Jaya Pub, Jakarta’s oldest bar. Founded by veteran actor Frans Tumbuan, this place is a popular music venue among locals and expatriates for its European vibe. The pub frequently hosts gigs comprising indie musicians, local and foreign bands.
What to eat
Jl. Wahid Hasyim is home to a myriad of interesting restaurants.
Those looking for a fancy dinner may want to make a reservation at Ocha & Bella. Situated in front of Morrissey Hotel Residences, the restaurant serves a mix of Japanese and Italian dishes.
Coffee lovers may want to schedule a visit to Phoenam, Indonesia’ very own kopitiam. Similar to other kopitiam, Phoenam specializes in coffees and breads. However, those looking for a heavy meal can order the restaurant’s Makassar-style nasi goreng merah (red fried rice).
On the other side of Jl. Wahid Hasyim, visitors will discover newly-opened Upnormal Coffee. Offering affordable food and beverages, this eatery is equipped with Wi-Fi and electric plug sockets, making it an ideal venue for meetings or work.
Not far from Upnormal Coffee, visitors will find Illua Korean Restaurant. As its name implies, the newly-opened restaurant serves Korean barbecue, such as yangnyeom galbi (marinated short rib meat), cha dol bae gi (beef brisket) and more.
Meanwhile, fans of Chinese food can check out Cahaya Kota. Established in 1943, the eatery has a long list of notable patrons, including former presidents Abdurrahman “Gus Dur” Wahid and Megawati Soekarnoputri. Here, foodies can sample halal Chinese food staples, such as fried noodles, ayam saus lemon (chicken served with lemon sauce), Singapore-style fried eel and more.
Paregu is another legendary restaurant available at Jl. Wahid Hasyim. Specializing in Japanese shabu-shabu (hotpot dishes), foodies can enjoy an extensive buffet menu at the eatery.
In addition to those eateries, visitors to Jl. Wahid Hasyim will also find a Beer Garden. Serving a wide array of alcoholic beverages, its unpretentious ambiance is an ideal venue for after-hours drinking.
Read also: Jakpost guide to Monas area
Where to shop
Founded in 1962, Sarinah is said to be the first department store in Indonesia. Visitors can find fashion items, varying from popular batik brands, such as Danar Hadi and Batik Keris, to accessories and Muslim clothing.
Where to stay
First-time visitors to Indonesia may want to book a hotel at Jl. Wahid Hasyim. As mentioned earlier, the area is strategically located near to shopping centers, restaurants and landmarks, making it an ideal place to stay. Moreover, the road is also home to a plethora of boutique hotels.
Near to Jl. Surabaya, visitors to Jl. Wahid Hasyim will find boutique hotels, such as Morrissey Hotel Residences and Ashley Hotel.
The former is a serviced apartment fully-equipped with a kitchen and sofa. Meanwhile, Ashley Hotel is a newly-opened establishment offering a modern design.
A post shared by KOSENDA HOTEL (@kosendahotel) on
On the other side of Jl. Wahid Hasyim near to Tanah Abang, visitors may want to have a look at Kosenda Hotel. At 5 p.m., patrons can swing by Awan Lounge at the hotel's rooftop and enjoy Jakarta's skyline while having a drink or two.
Tips:
- Bring an umbrella or raincoat as the weather is recently quite unpredictable.
- Those wanting to watch a movie at Djakarta Theater XXI are advised to make an online reservation as tickets may sell out fast.
- Avoid visiting Jl. Wahid Hasyim during peak hours as the road is frequently jam-packed. (kes)
