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Jakpost guide to alternative affordable eats
Internationally inspired cuisine may be expensive, however, there are affordable alternatives to try around Jakarta.
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Often times internationally inspired foods can mean reaching deep into your pockets, when you need to economize. (Shutterstock/File)
J
akarta has a buzzing city center with global culinary delights available in abundance. However, often internationally inspired food can mean reaching deep into your pockets, when you sometimes need to economize.
Here are some more affordable alternatives to try when you crave a bite to eat without taking a bigger bite out of your wallet.
Read also: Jakpost guide to breakfast spots
Fish Streat
Originating in England, fish and chips has gained popularity in Indonesia, with popular franchises dominating malls and neighborhoods. Fish Streat is one of the affordable options that maintains the original dish of battered fish and hot potato chips, while also offering its own signature side pasta to accompany the fish.
Among the pasta choices is a delightful marinara sauce that is the right amount of savory and pepper-spiciness to blend well with the fried fish. Alternatively, there is also creamy sauce pasta and cheese melt pasta. If chips and pasta sides are not appealing, there is also a choice of rice or even simply opt for one of the seafood platter varieties.
The fish with chips or pasta dishes are affordable at prices ranging from Rp 35,000 (US$2.43) to Rp 46,000, with beverages starting at Rp 12,000 for a soft drink.
There are eight Fish Streat branches across Jakarta and its surrounding areas, including in South Jakarta's Tebet and Pondok Indah, Tanjung Duren in West Jakarta, Kelapa Gading in North Jakarta, Bintaro and Taman Jajan CBD in Tangerang and Depok and Bekasi.
Raa Cha Suki & BBQ
Japanese-inspired dining style suki, where a hot pot is placed in the middle of the table to cook meat and vegetables for everyone, is another popular choice when going out to eat. While these varieties are often on the pricier end of the spectrum, an affordable alternative can be found in Raa Cha Suki & BBQ.
Taking on a Thai-inspired concept, Raa Cha offers a range of food items for diners, with vegetables, suki and barbeque meat to be cooked with five different special sauces and two suki soups.
The restaurant has dozens of outlets spread across Java. The outlets in Jakarta are located in Taman Anggrek shopping mall in West Jakarta, Sarinah in Central Jakarta, Pejaten Village in South Jakarta and Pluit Village in North Jakarta.
Expect to spend around Rp 200,000 for two people, depending on the types of ingredients chosen.
Read also: Jakpost guide to Jl. Boulevard Raya, Kelapa Gading
Wakacao
Wakacao is an Indonesian beef pepper rice restaurant, seemingly inspired by popular Japanese-based culinary dishes, serving rice and meat on hot plates for diners to mix on their own.
Located in various locations on the periphery of Jakarta city center and its surrounding, Wakacao can be found among other places in Gading Serpong, Karawaci, Alam Sutra, Bintaro Modern Market, South Tangerang, and even further out in Bekasi and Bandung.
As an affordable eatery, a Beef Pepper Rice Original starts at Rp 38,000. There are also additional flavor varieties inspired by Indonesian cuisine, such as with rendang, gulai (curry) and matah (Balinese-style onion sambal) toppings. In addition to beef, there are also salmon and chicken varieties.
Cinke Chicken
For Taipei street food-inspired chicken snacks, there is Cinke Chicken. The kiosk-style establishment offers a variety of flavors to add to the deep-fried crispy chicken pieces, including salt & pepper, BBQ, cheese and seaweed.
Additionally, Cinke also offers single or sharing servings, as well as rice boxes. A single serving starts at Rp 23,000 with a sharing serving at Rp 36,000 and a rice box starting at Rp 25,000.
Branches are located in Palmerah in West Jakarta and Senopati in South Jakarta. (wng)
