Jakarta (CGK) - the ultimate Q&A thread
#211
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Golf is great in Jakarta. Yes, the city is not pedestrian friendly and traffic is chaotic, alas, there is a lot more to Jakarta than meets the eye (at least in a first glance).
#212
Join Date: May 2006
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Originally Posted by Gaucho100K
Golf is great in Jakarta. Yes, the city is not pedestrian friendly and traffic is chaotic, alas, there is a lot more to Jakarta than meets the eye (at least in a first glance).
Try Gunung Putri golf course in Bogor.
#213
Join Date: May 2006
Location: CGK & PBI
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Posts: 3,312
Originally Posted by Tad's Broiled Steaks
hello,
could anyone please recommend travel agencies in Jakarta, specifically near Jalan Thamrin or Mangga Dua? In addition, how would one go about trekking to East Timor? Is it still via Bali?
Terima kasih
could anyone please recommend travel agencies in Jakarta, specifically near Jalan Thamrin or Mangga Dua? In addition, how would one go about trekking to East Timor? Is it still via Bali?
Terima kasih
Use Smailing Tour for all your travel needs. They're a large travel company and have branches in different parts of Jakarta. I used them in February when I took my dad on a trip to Bali and Jogjakarta. It costs me $300 for both of our air tix and hotels for 6 days.
#214
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Ive played many times in Bogor, in different courses and many are very good. However, these is no need to go that far, there are many excellent courses well inside the greater Jakarta area. Jagorawi, for example.
#216
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: Tri-State Area
Posts: 4,728
Jagorawi
Originally Posted by Gaucho100K
Ive played many times in Bogor, in different courses and many are very good. However, these is no need to go that far, there are many excellent courses well inside the greater Jakarta area. Jagorawi, for example.
Listing of golf courses:
http://indogolf.com/
#218
Join Date: Sep 2003
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Oh, another resource for finding out what's on in Jakarta social events-wise is www.whatsnewjakarta.com.
#219
Join Date: Nov 2006
Posts: 249
To me,
Best Japanese in Jakarta (wonder if it is still open):
Ebeya Japanese Steak House (A Fusion Japanese French Teppanyaki) restaurant is the best in Jakarta. It is located on the ground floor of the apartment side of the IC Mid Plaza. Run by a Japanese, it has a cocktail bar upon entering. All seatings are in the room (with one of those made believe Tataki style seating). Food to me, at least until 2005 when I left the city was just simply marvelous.
Best Chinese:
Cantonese style: Ming at Setia Budi (Singapore based TungLok group which is actually owned and run by Chinese Indonesian).
Home cooking style: Pick any hawker and food stalls along Mangga Besar, Pluit and Muara Karang....The Char Kway Tiaw, Bakmi Keriting, Duck Rice Noodle Soup, and Emi (Prawn Hokkien Noodles) Medan style are to die for.
Best Hainamese Chicken: a certain establishment on Mangga Besar that is popular for its Chicken Porridge - usually opens till 1 - 2 am.
Best Indonesian Padangnese Food in Jakarta:
Garuda Medan Style Minang Restaurant on both Pluit and Hayam Wuruk (this one is open for 24 hours)
Best Italian:
Zigollini at Mandarin Oriental
Best Western Restaurant:
Riva at Park Lane Hotel
Best Sundanese Food:
Pondok Laguna on Batu Tulis. This place also serves the best Fried Gurame Fish, Fish Head Curry and Stuff Tofu called Tahu Kipas. Nothing is more delicious to eat than the tofu in between bites of hot Indonesian padi chile.
Best Indonesian style Fried Chicken:
Padangese Style: Fadjar Padangnese Restaurant on Hayam Wuruk - a very small establishment located several doors before Dunkin' Donuts. The taste is just heavenly and the fried chicken is always just coming off hot oil.
Javanese Style: Still Ayam Goreng Suharti for me.
Best Satay:
Anywhere in Jakarta - after all, this is the capital of the country where satay originated. I do enjoy the Sate Padang with thick curry sauce, Sate Madura with the freshly grind peanut sauce, and Sate Kambing - lamb (also sometimes Sate Babi - pork) with Kecap Manis sauce and pickled shallots, cucumber, carrots, and chile.
I found Scusa and Dapur Babah a bit overated. However, I should give Nasi Goreng Bang Samin a try the next time I visit Dapur Babah again.
The best Nasi Goreng in Jakarta is still the Ojolali Nasi Goreng you can buy from the pushed mini cooking stalls that go to your neighborhood every evening. It is not particularly hygienic but I figured the hot temperature in cooking the food only after you order and the wonderful taste from Nasi Goreng could make up for any risk of food poisoning. In fact, I have not yet had any issues with my stomach every time I sample the delicious taste of Nasi Goreng Ojolali.
Enough about food, Jakarta does boast to be one of the best places for clubbing: There are lots of clubs that are just wow! with 2 mainstream clubbing scenes of "Kota" (inner city - Chinese / Asian style) or " Selatan" where only focuses on techno music. Karaoke experience could be a very exclusive experience as well. These places are amazing and they open until 5 every night with some even open for about 67 hours non stop over the weekend.
For Shopping, Jakarta is also very wonderful especially now with Senayan City. Plaza Senayan and Plaza Indonesia are still the best places to shop for branded goods while Taman Anggrek Mall, PIM 1 and 2, as well as Puri Indah Mall are just nice for regular shopping experience. Of course, to buy electronics and good quality copied DVDs, Mangga Dua Mall is the place although there was a major crackdown last year. I am not sure now if they still sell these copied DVDs in this mall.
For Accomodation, I like :
- Dharmawangsa Rosewood Hotel (a bit out of the way but service and room is amazing)
- The Ritz Carlton
- Four Seasons Jakarta
- Grand Hyatt - for the location and the grand lobby but a bit dissapointed with the refurbished rooms.
- Alila (very reasonable)
- Sheraton Media (very reasonable)
My favourite things to do when I still lived in Jakarta:
- Tea Plantations at Puncak area. The cool climate and the fragrance of tea leaves are just so refreshing.
- Drove to Bogor and the botanical garden
- Drove to Bandung for all the factory outlet fashion goods
- Flew to Yogyakarta for some cultural enrichment - especially the sunrise at Borobudur temple and a visit to Amanjiwo resort for one of the best ambience meal with the view of the temple. Trip to Prambanan was just as awsome.
- Flew to Bali just to have good quality relaxing fun time. Short break in Bali was always wonderful and enjoyable.
Best Japanese in Jakarta (wonder if it is still open):
Ebeya Japanese Steak House (A Fusion Japanese French Teppanyaki) restaurant is the best in Jakarta. It is located on the ground floor of the apartment side of the IC Mid Plaza. Run by a Japanese, it has a cocktail bar upon entering. All seatings are in the room (with one of those made believe Tataki style seating). Food to me, at least until 2005 when I left the city was just simply marvelous.
Best Chinese:
Cantonese style: Ming at Setia Budi (Singapore based TungLok group which is actually owned and run by Chinese Indonesian).
Home cooking style: Pick any hawker and food stalls along Mangga Besar, Pluit and Muara Karang....The Char Kway Tiaw, Bakmi Keriting, Duck Rice Noodle Soup, and Emi (Prawn Hokkien Noodles) Medan style are to die for.
Best Hainamese Chicken: a certain establishment on Mangga Besar that is popular for its Chicken Porridge - usually opens till 1 - 2 am.
Best Indonesian Padangnese Food in Jakarta:
Garuda Medan Style Minang Restaurant on both Pluit and Hayam Wuruk (this one is open for 24 hours)
Best Italian:
Zigollini at Mandarin Oriental
Best Western Restaurant:
Riva at Park Lane Hotel
Best Sundanese Food:
Pondok Laguna on Batu Tulis. This place also serves the best Fried Gurame Fish, Fish Head Curry and Stuff Tofu called Tahu Kipas. Nothing is more delicious to eat than the tofu in between bites of hot Indonesian padi chile.
Best Indonesian style Fried Chicken:
Padangese Style: Fadjar Padangnese Restaurant on Hayam Wuruk - a very small establishment located several doors before Dunkin' Donuts. The taste is just heavenly and the fried chicken is always just coming off hot oil.
Javanese Style: Still Ayam Goreng Suharti for me.
Best Satay:
Anywhere in Jakarta - after all, this is the capital of the country where satay originated. I do enjoy the Sate Padang with thick curry sauce, Sate Madura with the freshly grind peanut sauce, and Sate Kambing - lamb (also sometimes Sate Babi - pork) with Kecap Manis sauce and pickled shallots, cucumber, carrots, and chile.
I found Scusa and Dapur Babah a bit overated. However, I should give Nasi Goreng Bang Samin a try the next time I visit Dapur Babah again.
The best Nasi Goreng in Jakarta is still the Ojolali Nasi Goreng you can buy from the pushed mini cooking stalls that go to your neighborhood every evening. It is not particularly hygienic but I figured the hot temperature in cooking the food only after you order and the wonderful taste from Nasi Goreng could make up for any risk of food poisoning. In fact, I have not yet had any issues with my stomach every time I sample the delicious taste of Nasi Goreng Ojolali.
Enough about food, Jakarta does boast to be one of the best places for clubbing: There are lots of clubs that are just wow! with 2 mainstream clubbing scenes of "Kota" (inner city - Chinese / Asian style) or " Selatan" where only focuses on techno music. Karaoke experience could be a very exclusive experience as well. These places are amazing and they open until 5 every night with some even open for about 67 hours non stop over the weekend.
For Shopping, Jakarta is also very wonderful especially now with Senayan City. Plaza Senayan and Plaza Indonesia are still the best places to shop for branded goods while Taman Anggrek Mall, PIM 1 and 2, as well as Puri Indah Mall are just nice for regular shopping experience. Of course, to buy electronics and good quality copied DVDs, Mangga Dua Mall is the place although there was a major crackdown last year. I am not sure now if they still sell these copied DVDs in this mall.
For Accomodation, I like :
- Dharmawangsa Rosewood Hotel (a bit out of the way but service and room is amazing)
- The Ritz Carlton
- Four Seasons Jakarta
- Grand Hyatt - for the location and the grand lobby but a bit dissapointed with the refurbished rooms.
- Alila (very reasonable)
- Sheraton Media (very reasonable)
My favourite things to do when I still lived in Jakarta:
- Tea Plantations at Puncak area. The cool climate and the fragrance of tea leaves are just so refreshing.
- Drove to Bogor and the botanical garden
- Drove to Bandung for all the factory outlet fashion goods
- Flew to Yogyakarta for some cultural enrichment - especially the sunrise at Borobudur temple and a visit to Amanjiwo resort for one of the best ambience meal with the view of the temple. Trip to Prambanan was just as awsome.
- Flew to Bali just to have good quality relaxing fun time. Short break in Bali was always wonderful and enjoyable.
#220
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
To me,
Best Japanese in Jakarta (wonder if it is still open):
Ebeya Japanese Steak House (A Fusion Japanese French Teppanyaki) restaurant is the best in Jakarta. It is located on the ground floor of the apartment side of the IC Mid Plaza. Run by a Japanese, it has a cocktail bar upon entering. All seatings are in the room (with one of those made believe Tataki style seating). Food to me, at least until 2005 when I left the city was just simply marvelous.
SNIP
- Flew to Bali just to have good quality relaxing fun time. Short break in Bali was always wonderful and enjoyable.
Best Japanese in Jakarta (wonder if it is still open):
Ebeya Japanese Steak House (A Fusion Japanese French Teppanyaki) restaurant is the best in Jakarta. It is located on the ground floor of the apartment side of the IC Mid Plaza. Run by a Japanese, it has a cocktail bar upon entering. All seatings are in the room (with one of those made believe Tataki style seating). Food to me, at least until 2005 when I left the city was just simply marvelous.
SNIP
- Flew to Bali just to have good quality relaxing fun time. Short break in Bali was always wonderful and enjoyable.
#221
Join Date: Jun 2004
Location: DFW
Programs: DL PM, .6MM; AA Plat; Marriott Platinum Premier
Posts: 4,891
To me,
Best Sundanese Food:
Pondok Laguna on Batu Tulis. This place also serves the best Fried Gurame Fish, Fish Head Curry and Stuff Tofu called Tahu Kipas. Nothing is more delicious to eat than the tofu in between bites of hot Indonesian padi chile.
Best Indonesian style Fried Chicken:
Padangese Style: Fadjar Padangnese Restaurant on Hayam Wuruk - a very small establishment located several doors before Dunkin' Donuts. The taste is just heavenly and the fried chicken is always just coming off hot oil.
Javanese Style: Still Ayam Goreng Suharti for me.
Best Satay:
Anywhere in Jakarta - after all, this is the capital of the country where satay originated. I do enjoy the Sate Padang with thick curry sauce, Sate Madura with the freshly grind peanut sauce, and Sate Kambing - lamb (also sometimes Sate Babi - pork) with Kecap Manis sauce and pickled shallots, cucumber, carrots, and chile.
I found Scusa and Dapur Babah a bit overated. However, I should give Nasi Goreng Bang Samin a try the next time I visit Dapur Babah again.
The best Nasi Goreng in Jakarta is still the Ojolali Nasi Goreng you can buy from the pushed mini cooking stalls that go to your neighborhood every evening. It is not particularly hygienic but I figured the hot temperature in cooking the food only after you order and the wonderful taste from Nasi Goreng could make up for any risk of food poisoning. In fact, I have not yet had any issues with my stomach every time I sample the delicious taste of Nasi Goreng Ojolali.
Best Sundanese Food:
Pondok Laguna on Batu Tulis. This place also serves the best Fried Gurame Fish, Fish Head Curry and Stuff Tofu called Tahu Kipas. Nothing is more delicious to eat than the tofu in between bites of hot Indonesian padi chile.
Best Indonesian style Fried Chicken:
Padangese Style: Fadjar Padangnese Restaurant on Hayam Wuruk - a very small establishment located several doors before Dunkin' Donuts. The taste is just heavenly and the fried chicken is always just coming off hot oil.
Javanese Style: Still Ayam Goreng Suharti for me.
Best Satay:
Anywhere in Jakarta - after all, this is the capital of the country where satay originated. I do enjoy the Sate Padang with thick curry sauce, Sate Madura with the freshly grind peanut sauce, and Sate Kambing - lamb (also sometimes Sate Babi - pork) with Kecap Manis sauce and pickled shallots, cucumber, carrots, and chile.
I found Scusa and Dapur Babah a bit overated. However, I should give Nasi Goreng Bang Samin a try the next time I visit Dapur Babah again.
The best Nasi Goreng in Jakarta is still the Ojolali Nasi Goreng you can buy from the pushed mini cooking stalls that go to your neighborhood every evening. It is not particularly hygienic but I figured the hot temperature in cooking the food only after you order and the wonderful taste from Nasi Goreng could make up for any risk of food poisoning. In fact, I have not yet had any issues with my stomach every time I sample the delicious taste of Nasi Goreng Ojolali.
I would add to the list, Best Indonesian-Style Noodles:
Bakmi Gajah Mada (also known as Bakmi GM). Located in Gajah Mada mall - facing the main road of that area, they have the best noodles in all of Jakarta. Their Bakmi Ayam is simply fantastic. Highly recommended.
Another fav food item to eat in CGK is the marktabak which is often sold in little stands by the roads at night. (which are more like vending stands you would see in US sports stadiums, rather than the ubiquitous khaki-lima2 you see everywhere in Jakarta).
#222
Join Date: Oct 2002
Location: SFO
Programs: AY Plat, LH FTL
Posts: 7,374
Great list UMD!!
I'd add the Shangri-La to the list of recommended hotels. Quite nice with great service and facilities.
It was nice having BATS in the basement. Good place for live entertainment without leaving your hotel.
I'd add the Shangri-La to the list of recommended hotels. Quite nice with great service and facilities.
It was nice having BATS in the basement. Good place for live entertainment without leaving your hotel.
#224
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: Georgia and Manila, PH
Programs: NW Gold Elite, DL, HH, Victoria Court Select Member
Posts: 637
There is soooo much to do in Indonesia. There is Bali and Jakarta, with Jakarta being one of the world's top notch cities, IMHO. Jakrata is pretty safe from my experience. Just keep your eyes open and explore. That's my advice. Best of luck!!!!
#225
Join Date: Jun 2001
Location: sadly, mainly grounded...
Programs: LH M&M, FTL / *S
Posts: 407
question for jakarta knowers...:
we will have to catch a very early morning flight out of CGK after arriving the day before. can you recommend a nice and clean hotel nearby the airport to minimize shuttle time?
you help is appreciated!
we will have to catch a very early morning flight out of CGK after arriving the day before. can you recommend a nice and clean hotel nearby the airport to minimize shuttle time?
you help is appreciated!