Jakarta (CGK) - the ultimate Q&A thread
Feb 3, 2006, 9:48 am
#166
Join Date: Jul 2002
Programs: UA MM
Posts: 6,984
Originally Posted by LezBFriends
Kembang Goela, Merah Delima and all the restaurant in this group, I think they are mediocre at best. The only reason they are frequented by people is because they are fairly affordable (even though they are supposed to be cheaper, as they are actually street food) and well located. Otherwise, why would you want to have "sanitized" street food in a pretentious setting? I don't consider them as real restaurants as I know for a fact that they source a good portion of their menu offering from elsewhere and just repackage and markup.
I will not say "fairly affordable" for those restaurants... Hey afterall, I am just an Indonesian with limited income... Many many Indonesian friends of mine could not afford dinner there ... Or else, this thread is only for rich Indonesian and all the expats... 
And dear LezBFriends (hope I am not misinterpreted your handle), for someone who has been living outside Indonesia for a very long time, the health issue is very important. What you say as "sanitized" street food, yes this person needs that. The immune systems is different. Thus this person can not just go to any warungs or hawker places... otherwise the visit to Southeast Asia would be ruined with the stomach problems.
Last edited by CGK; Feb 3, 2006 at 9:54 am
Feb 3, 2006, 2:37 pm
#167
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: London
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Originally Posted by CGK
Welcome to FT! And just to make sure that not all the FTers are rich... I will not say "fairly affordable" for those restaurants... Hey afterall, I am just an Indonesian with limited income... Many many Indonesian friends of mine could not afford dinner there ... Or else, this thread is only for rich Indonesian and all the expats...
And dear LezBFriends (hope I am not misinterpreted your handle), for someone who has been living outside Indonesia for a very long time, the health issue is very important. What you say as "sanitized" street food, yes this person needs that. The immune systems is different. Thus this person can not just go to any warungs or hawker places... otherwise the visit to Southeast Asia would be ruined with the stomach problems.
I will not say "fairly affordable" for those restaurants... Hey afterall, I am just an Indonesian with limited income... Many many Indonesian friends of mine could not afford dinner there ... Or else, this thread is only for rich Indonesian and all the expats... And dear LezBFriends (hope I am not misinterpreted your handle), for someone who has been living outside Indonesia for a very long time, the health issue is very important. What you say as "sanitized" street food, yes this person needs that. The immune systems is different. Thus this person can not just go to any warungs or hawker places... otherwise the visit to Southeast Asia would be ruined with the stomach problems.
Feb 3, 2006, 7:35 pm
#168
Join Date: Jul 2002
Programs: UA MM
Posts: 6,984
Originally Posted by oontiveros
Hey I am so Indonesian now I can eat at the Nasi Tikus kiosks in Menteng!
Certainly I still avoid certain warungs. I still avoid lalapan though, except at home, which I make sure the veggies are thoughly washed!
Feb 7, 2006, 3:38 am
#171
Join Date: Feb 2006
Posts: 14
Originally Posted by StarG
I have yet to find one as good as Din Tai Fung in Los Angeles/Singapore.
Din Tai Fung @ Plaza Senayan OK ... no pork
Nanxiang @ hilton ...better ...still no pork
any Crystal Jades.. best among the halal.
now to pass the threshold...
Iton in Pluit...good
depot 369 in mangga besar goood
rumah makan krekot ...in krekot...yummy
lao beijing in mangga dua WTC also yummy..
so if you want a good xiao long pau...head north my friends !!!
Feb 7, 2006, 3:54 am
#172
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: London
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Posts: 1,458
Originally Posted by ducati999
Good Xiao Long Pau? All you need is one ingredient : PORK...yes sir chinese food, without the pork is NOT the same and never be as good as the original.
Din Tai Fung @ Plaza Senayan OK ... no pork
Nanxiang @ hilton ...better ...still no pork
any Crystal Jades.. best among the halal.
now to pass the threshold...
Iton in Pluit...good
depot 369 in mangga besar goood
rumah makan krekot ...in krekot...yummy
lao beijing in mangga dua WTC also yummy..
so if you want a good xiao long pau...head north my friends !!!
Din Tai Fung @ Plaza Senayan OK ... no pork
Nanxiang @ hilton ...better ...still no pork
any Crystal Jades.. best among the halal.
now to pass the threshold...
Iton in Pluit...good
depot 369 in mangga besar goood
rumah makan krekot ...in krekot...yummy
lao beijing in mangga dua WTC also yummy..
so if you want a good xiao long pau...head north my friends !!!
Feb 7, 2006, 10:05 pm
#174
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: Thanks for the Memories !!!
Posts: 10,658
Well , I survived........barely.
This was my fifth time in Jakarta and I've never been so tired! I just can't deal with the traffic anymore. Everything is so geared around getting by car to such and such a place etc. It just drives me nuts. I have to hand it to those here who live there.....I don't know how you do it!
I spent the first night in Kamang at my relatives home......it took 2 1/2 hours to get from the airport to there. The next day we all went to Rancemayah (sp) Golf and Country Club near Bogor. Apart fronm the usual traffic hassles, this community boasted fresh(er) air and places to relax and recreate. For those golfers here , it looked like a beautiful course. I don't play but from what I saw from the rented villa the greens were spectacular. We stayed here for 2 nights and I was able to use the gym and pool. The food was fine and lunch buffet suited my taste (and the local Indonesians) as well. It was the only time I was able to eat some Indonesian food.
Back in the city, I was taken to Sushi Nobu
which as I live in Japan, could not stomach the wierd taste......My family seemed to love it though 
!
Was also dragged of to Scussa(sp) at the IC . The food was not worth the price and our seafood was over-cooked and tasted (at least to me ) not fresh. For a $800.00 USD(for 5) dinner I clearly expected more .
I did notice that the price of many things has risen (30%) since my visit last summer.......I don't know how the majority there survive.
My drive back to the airport took about 2 hours, leaving at 4:30 PM for the last SQ flight at 8:15 PM........Those toll booth line-ups can be a real killer !
Next time I hope to meet some of you "real" Jakarta types, the expat style of Jakarta life clearly does not suit me !
This was my fifth time in Jakarta and I've never been so tired! I just can't deal with the traffic anymore. Everything is so geared around getting by car to such and such a place etc. It just drives me nuts. I have to hand it to those here who live there.....I don't know how you do it!
I spent the first night in Kamang at my relatives home......it took 2 1/2 hours to get from the airport to there. The next day we all went to Rancemayah (sp) Golf and Country Club near Bogor. Apart fronm the usual traffic hassles, this community boasted fresh(er) air and places to relax and recreate. For those golfers here , it looked like a beautiful course. I don't play but from what I saw from the rented villa the greens were spectacular. We stayed here for 2 nights and I was able to use the gym and pool. The food was fine and lunch buffet suited my taste (and the local Indonesians) as well. It was the only time I was able to eat some Indonesian food.
Back in the city, I was taken to Sushi Nobu
which as I live in Japan, could not stomach the wierd taste......My family seemed to love it though ! Was also dragged of to Scussa(sp) at the IC
. The food was not worth the price and our seafood was over-cooked and tasted (at least to me ) not fresh. For a $800.00 USD(for 5) dinner I clearly expected more . I did notice that the price of many things has risen (30%) since my visit last summer.......I don't know how the majority there survive.
My drive back to the airport took about 2 hours, leaving at 4:30 PM for the last SQ flight at 8:15 PM........Those toll booth line-ups can be a real killer
!Next time I hope to meet some of you "real" Jakarta types, the expat style of Jakarta life clearly does not suit me
!
Feb 7, 2006, 11:41 pm
#175
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: London
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Well, you need to travel like StarG, with police escorts to clear traffic and bodyguards to push away curious gawkers. Actually, I think his family owns that golf course as well.
If you ever have problems at places like Scusa, call the chef in and complain. Don't see why you were silent on an $800 bill. They will take care of it. I always have good food there and I am sure to ask for the chef to complement him/her or whatever.
I live in Kemang and I do know to land inbetween rush hour and not on friday evenings. I make the drive in 45 min. I also clear immigration and customs in 25 min or less.
In NRT though, if I land behind a mainland China flight or whatever, I know that door of plane to door of hotel could take 3 to 4 hours. I really dislike flying into NRT and going into Tokyo. Though I love Tokyo.
Food, well, generally Jakarta isn't known as a culinary centre but you know, we live here and we make the best of it.
Generally, I do like living here and I will do so for awhile.
If you ever have problems at places like Scusa, call the chef in and complain. Don't see why you were silent on an $800 bill. They will take care of it. I always have good food there and I am sure to ask for the chef to complement him/her or whatever.
I live in Kemang and I do know to land inbetween rush hour and not on friday evenings. I make the drive in 45 min. I also clear immigration and customs in 25 min or less.
In NRT though, if I land behind a mainland China flight or whatever, I know that door of plane to door of hotel could take 3 to 4 hours. I really dislike flying into NRT and going into Tokyo. Though I love Tokyo.
Food, well, generally Jakarta isn't known as a culinary centre but you know, we live here and we make the best of it.
Generally, I do like living here and I will do so for awhile.
Feb 8, 2006, 8:58 pm
#176
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: Thanks for the Memories !!!
Posts: 10,658
Originally Posted by oontiveros
If you ever have problems at places like Scusa, call the chef in and complain. Don't see why you were silent on an $800 bill. They will take care of it. I always have good food there and I am sure to ask for the chef to complement him/her or whatever.
Actually the manager and chef were friends of one of people at our table, I felt sorry for the hostess of the party as they were embarrassed........the Italian chef did apologise and comped us a homemade lemon schnapps.....not sufficient IMO.
I live in Kemang and I do know to land inbetween rush hour and not on friday evenings. I make the drive in 45 min. I also clear immigration and customs in 25 min or less.
Didn't land on a Friday came on a Thursday at 6:00 PM, did not get out of Immigration until 7:15 ! Was met by the family driver and got to Kemang at 9:15 PM!
In NRT though, if I land behind a mainland China flight or whatever, I know that door of plane to door of hotel could take 3 to 4 hours. I really dislike flying into NRT and going into Tokyo. Though I love Tokyo.
I don't live in Tokyo and stay away from NRT as much as possible by using KIX or NGO to transfer through......Your comment of comparing the traffic in Tokyo to that of Djakarta is apples/oranges......at least in Tokyo you can use the train/subway as a viable option!
I wish they had a train/subway/lrt in CGK.......good public transportation would cure many problems with the city' transportation gridlock!
Food, well, generally Jakarta isn't known as a culinary centre but you know, we live here and we make the best of it.
So are you saying there is nothing else as an option?
Actually the manager and chef were friends of one of people at our table, I felt sorry for the hostess of the party as they were embarrassed........the Italian chef did apologise and comped us a homemade lemon schnapps.....not sufficient IMO.
I live in Kemang and I do know to land inbetween rush hour and not on friday evenings. I make the drive in 45 min. I also clear immigration and customs in 25 min or less.
Didn't land on a Friday came on a Thursday at 6:00 PM, did not get out of Immigration until 7:15 ! Was met by the family driver and got to Kemang at 9:15 PM!
In NRT though, if I land behind a mainland China flight or whatever, I know that door of plane to door of hotel could take 3 to 4 hours. I really dislike flying into NRT and going into Tokyo. Though I love Tokyo.
I don't live in Tokyo and stay away from NRT as much as possible by using KIX or NGO to transfer through......Your comment of comparing the traffic in Tokyo to that of Djakarta is apples/oranges......at least in Tokyo you can use the train/subway as a viable option!
I wish they had a train/subway/lrt in CGK.......good public transportation would cure many problems with the city' transportation gridlock!
Food, well, generally Jakarta isn't known as a culinary centre but you know, we live here and we make the best of it.
So are you saying there is nothing else as an option?
Feb 8, 2006, 9:46 pm
#177
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: CGK
Programs: SQ TPP28, CX DM, DL P, GA CB, WOH LGLOB, HH D, MB G, Hertz P
Posts: 2,884
Originally Posted by oontiveros
Well, you need to travel like StarG, with police escorts to clear traffic and bodyguards to push away curious gawkers. Actually, I think his family owns that golf course as well.
I wish I am the StarG in your dream - for the shorter commuting time around Jakarta.
Feb 8, 2006, 9:58 pm
#178
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: CGK
Programs: SQ TPP28, CX DM, DL P, GA CB, WOH LGLOB, HH D, MB G, Hertz P
Posts: 2,884
Q Shoe Guy, sorry to hear about your dissapointing experience at Scusa.
Regarding your comments about traffic - I guess we locals cope by trying to dodge the traffic as much as possible (time, direction, which route to take, etc.).
Hopefully your next family visit to CGK (if there is more after this) will be better.
Regarding your comments about traffic - I guess we locals cope by trying to dodge the traffic as much as possible (time, direction, which route to take, etc.).
Hopefully your next family visit to CGK (if there is more after this
) will be better.
Feb 8, 2006, 11:59 pm
#179
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: London
Programs: Bonvoy Titanium, IHG Spire Ambassador, Qatar Gold, Etihad Gold, TK Gold, BA Silver, Emirates Silver
Posts: 1,458
Originally Posted by Q Shoe Guy
If you ever have problems at places like Scusa, call the chef in and complain. Don't see why you were silent on an $800 bill. They will take care of it. I always have good food there and I am sure to ask for the chef to complement him/her or whatever.
Actually the manager and chef were friends of one of people at our table, I felt sorry for the hostess of the party as they were embarrassed........the Italian chef did apologise and comped us a homemade lemon schnapps.....not sufficient IMO.
Definitely not sufficient and I also know of a couple who complained (important night) and were comped a private re-dinner in a guest room gratis. The problem is, now Scusa is beginning to sound inconsistent in quality...
I live in Kemang and I do know to land inbetween rush hour and not on friday evenings. I make the drive in 45 min. I also clear immigration and customs in 25 min or less.
Didn't land on a Friday came on a Thursday at 6:00 PM, did not get out of Immigration until 7:15 ! Was met by the family driver and got to Kemang at 9:15 PM!
Use the services of the greeter who will meet you at the airplane door next time. He'll have your visa ready (if you need one) and walk you through immigration. Out in 10 min or less. Bags usually there in next 15 min.
In NRT though, if I land behind a mainland China flight or whatever, I know that door of plane to door of hotel could take 3 to 4 hours. I really dislike flying into NRT and going into Tokyo. Though I love Tokyo.
I don't live in Tokyo and stay away from NRT as much as possible by using KIX or NGO to transfer through......Your comment of comparing the traffic in Tokyo to that of Djakarta is apples/oranges......at least in Tokyo you can use the train/subway as a viable option!
I wish they had a train/subway/lrt in CGK.......good public transportation would cure many problems with the city' transportation gridlock!
True CGK needs massive city replanning re traffic. My point about Tokyo, Sir, was that it still takes a very long time from airplane door to hotel door...regardless of what you perceive of apples and oranges. By the way, I flew in at 6pm last night (Wednesday), SQ 162, and got home at 715pm.
Food, well, generally Jakarta isn't known as a culinary centre but you know, we live here and we make the best of it.
So are you saying there is nothing else as an option?
I don't know what you're saying.
Actually the manager and chef were friends of one of people at our table, I felt sorry for the hostess of the party as they were embarrassed........the Italian chef did apologise and comped us a homemade lemon schnapps.....not sufficient IMO.
Definitely not sufficient and I also know of a couple who complained (important night) and were comped a private re-dinner in a guest room gratis. The problem is, now Scusa is beginning to sound inconsistent in quality...
I live in Kemang and I do know to land inbetween rush hour and not on friday evenings. I make the drive in 45 min. I also clear immigration and customs in 25 min or less.
Didn't land on a Friday came on a Thursday at 6:00 PM, did not get out of Immigration until 7:15 ! Was met by the family driver and got to Kemang at 9:15 PM!
Use the services of the greeter who will meet you at the airplane door next time. He'll have your visa ready (if you need one) and walk you through immigration. Out in 10 min or less. Bags usually there in next 15 min.
In NRT though, if I land behind a mainland China flight or whatever, I know that door of plane to door of hotel could take 3 to 4 hours. I really dislike flying into NRT and going into Tokyo. Though I love Tokyo.
I don't live in Tokyo and stay away from NRT as much as possible by using KIX or NGO to transfer through......Your comment of comparing the traffic in Tokyo to that of Djakarta is apples/oranges......at least in Tokyo you can use the train/subway as a viable option!
I wish they had a train/subway/lrt in CGK.......good public transportation would cure many problems with the city' transportation gridlock!
True CGK needs massive city replanning re traffic. My point about Tokyo, Sir, was that it still takes a very long time from airplane door to hotel door...regardless of what you perceive of apples and oranges. By the way, I flew in at 6pm last night (Wednesday), SQ 162, and got home at 715pm.
Food, well, generally Jakarta isn't known as a culinary centre but you know, we live here and we make the best of it.
So are you saying there is nothing else as an option?
I don't know what you're saying.
Last edited by oontiveros; Feb 9, 2006 at 12:02 am
Feb 9, 2006, 12:05 am
#180
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: London
Programs: Bonvoy Titanium, IHG Spire Ambassador, Qatar Gold, Etihad Gold, TK Gold, BA Silver, Emirates Silver
Posts: 1,458
Originally Posted by StarG
Wake up from your dream, will ya?
I wish I am the StarG in your dream - for the shorter commuting time around Jakarta.
I wish I am the StarG in your dream - for the shorter commuting time around Jakarta.