How to get there

You can explore the street using public transportation, such as the blue angkot (public minivan) serving the Grogol-Kopro route, bajaj (three-wheeled motorized vehicle) and Metro mini B91 catering to the Tanah Abang-Batu Sari route.

For those using their own vehicle, do note that some of the food establishments have limited or no parking spaces.

What to wear

Casual outfits like T-shirts, shorts and sandals are acceptable. Apply sunscreen and wear a hat if necessary.

What to eat

What’s Up Café tries to follow the current trend among youths by combining instant noodles with various ingredients, to make hybrid dishes such as Indomie carbonara, Indomie seafood tomyum and Indomie black pepper beef. It also has an Indomie Special What’s Up menu with different levels of spiciness.

Another interesting place to visit is Bakmi Ayam '166' Lili, which offers bakmi (meat noodles) with different toppings, such as chicken, meatballs and pangsit (wonton). Its bakmi pangsit, for instance, has a clear both with generous toppings. The eatery also offers several side dishes and Chinese food. Food prices start from Rp 40,000 (US$2) for bakmi pangsit.

 

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Walk further and you will find Pisang Goreng Madu (Honey Fried Banana) Bu Nanik at Jl. Tanjung Duren Raya. It is so popular among Jakartans that it topped the 2017 list of merchants in Jakarta for Go-Jek's food delivery service Go-Food. No wonder the place is usually crowded with app-based ojek (motorcycle) drivers.

Different types of dishes are offered by 'Pisang Goreng Madu Bu Nanik' (Bu Nanik's honey-fried banana) on Jl. Tanjung Duren Raya, West Jakarta, on Jan. 25. (JP/Wienda Parwitasari)

Read also: Jakpost guide to Pluit

Aside from fried banana, Pisang Goreng Madu Bu Nanik also offers other snacks, such as honey-fried pineapple, spaghetti risoles (Indonesian fried spring rolls) and honey-fried cempedak (jackfruit-like fruit with a unique smell). Food prices start at Rp 5,000.

A meatball restaurant, Bakso Solo Samrat, sits near Pisang Goreng Madu Bu Nanik. Among the dishes it offers are bakso isi daging (beef-filled meatball), bakso puyuh (quail egg meatball) and bakso tenis rusuk (egg-filled meatball with ribs). Its bakso isi daging, for example, has a thick broth with soft-textured meatballs. With prices starting at Rp 35,000, customers can choose whether they want to have their meatballs with yellow noodles or rice noodles. 

'Es Pisang Ijo' (green banana ice) from Kedai Es Pisang Ijo Pemuda in Jl. Tanjung Duren Utara, West Jakarta, on Jan. 25. (JP/Wienda Parwitasari)

While you are in the Tanjung Duren area, it is recommended to sample one of its famous desserts, es pisang ijo (green banana ice) at Kedai Es Pisang Ijo Pemuda. Located at Jl. Tanjung Duren Utara, the establishment’s green banana ice consists of banana covered in pandan dough and topped with shaved ice, milk, syrup and a thick sauce of coconut milk. The price of the dessert starts at Rp 25,000.

What to buy

Pisang Goreng Madu Bu Nanik also has a store that sells traditional snacks and beverages, namely kripik balado (crackers with spicy chili sauce), different types of sambal, lidi (snack that is shaped like a coconut leaf stick) and cafe latte. 

Moreover, Jl. Tanjung Duren Barat is home to Kiubi Waxing Studio, which offers eyelash extensions. The women-only service is open from Monday until Saturday.

There are also several pet supply stores in the area, such as Happy Pets and Glory Petshop Jakarta, for those who want to indulge and buy food and toys for their furry friends.

Tips:

• Be careful when walking down the street as there is no sufficient sidewalk for pedestrians, and the street is crowded with vehicles.
• You cannot directly reach Jl. Tanjung Duren Barat if you are coming from Jl. Tanjung Duren Raya as it is a one-way street.
• Always bring some small notes for parking attendants — some of them only accept Rp 5,000 notes.
• Those who want to eat at the legendary Sop Kaki Kambing (lamb feet soup) Dudung Roxy should come in the afternoon as the food establishment is only open after 5 p.m. (kes)