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I have to admit, I haven’t been writing articles here as often lately. I guess it’s understandable, considering the recent surge of restaurants and cafés coming up with all sorts of innovative concepts, from creative interiors and hearty main courses to elaborate desserts. But if you look a little closer, despite all the different concepts and aesthetics, many of the menus are actually quite similar. Jakarta’s dining scene is still largely dominated by Indonesian, Chinese, Japanese, Italian, and Korean cuisines, while French, Spanish, Latin American, Indian, and Middle Eastern restaurants remain relatively uncommon. The same goes for desserts. There are countless bakeries, pastry shops, and cafés offering endless varieties of sweet treats. The names may sound more creative and sophisticated these days, but once you look at the actual ingredients and concepts, many of them are surprisingly alike. Basically, combining one type of sugar with another and giving it a fancy new name. Haha. Anyway, rather than simply observing all of this without putting my thoughts into words, I’ve decided to get back to this little hobby of mine. So, this month, I’ll be sharing some updates on new products, along with a few new restaurants that I think might be worth checking out.
1. Social House x Pitch Plus
Exciting news this month comes from a collaboration between Social House, one of Jakarta’s iconic dining spots, and Pitch Plus, a dessert brand that has been generating quite a buzz lately. Through this collaboration, Social House patrons can enjoy two special dessert creations: “Call Me Matilda” and “Jam With Me.” The first combines whipped chocolate ganache, chocolate cake, and pistachio, while the latter brings together peanut butter and mixed berry jam. Both are finished with chewy “Dubai chocolate” elements, fresh strawberry slices, and a combination of dark and milk chocolate sauces. For dessert lovers, especially chocolate enthusiasts, these two creations are definitely a tempting guilty pleasure. The textures are rich and indulgent, with layers of sweetness, creaminess, and deep chocolate notes. Interestingly, the fresh strawberries add a pleasant tartness that helps balance the richness, so the desserts don’t feel overly sweet or heavy. A little tip from me: these desserts are best enjoyed on-site rather than taken away. With fresh strawberries and chocolate sauce as part of the composition, the texture and overall experience may change if they are transported or stored for too long. Priced at IDR 95,000++ per cup, this collaboration is a fun option for anyone with a sweet tooth who enjoys the combination of chocolate, creamy nutty flavors, and fresh fruity notes. Definitely worth a try if you’re looking for something indulgent and a little different.
2. Bee Cheng Hiang New Store
Great news for fans of bak kwa, the famous sweet-and-savory dried meat! Bee Cheng Hiang is truly a legendary name, and ever since my first trip to Singapore, its bak kwa has been one of those familiar souvenirs I would often bring home.
The brand already has several locations in Jakarta, and now it is expanding further with a new store at Living World Alam Sutera. The opening event was lively, attended by members of the media as well as teams from both Indonesia and Malaysia, making it a special occasion and another milestone for the brand’s growing presence in Indonesia. Interestingly, Bee Cheng Hiang offers much more than just its signature bak kwa. There is a wide selection of other products, including crispy pork snacks, pork floss, pork sausages, and more. So, if you only knew the brand for its bak kwa, there are actually plenty of other options to explore. For freshly prepared bak kwa, the meat is weighed according to your preferred quantity, with a minimum purchase of 100 grams. This makes it quite convenient whether you’re buying some for yourself or picking up a few packs as gifts. As for the taste, the quality remains consistent with what I’ve always remembered. The familiar flavor and product standards are still there, although, naturally, the prices have changed over the years. With fluctuations in raw material costs, distribution expenses, inflation, and other factors, price increases are understandable. Ultimately, for bak kwa lovers and especially those who used to make a point of bringing it home from Singapore, having Bee Cheng Hiang available in Jakarta and the surrounding areas makes getting your favorite bak kwa much easier. No need to wait for the next Singapore trip just to satisfy that craving!
The brand already has several locations in Jakarta, and now it is expanding further with a new store at Living World Alam Sutera. The opening event was lively, attended by members of the media as well as teams from both Indonesia and Malaysia, making it a special occasion and another milestone for the brand’s growing presence in Indonesia. Interestingly, Bee Cheng Hiang offers much more than just its signature bak kwa. There is a wide selection of other products, including crispy pork snacks, pork floss, pork sausages, and more. So, if you only knew the brand for its bak kwa, there are actually plenty of other options to explore. For freshly prepared bak kwa, the meat is weighed according to your preferred quantity, with a minimum purchase of 100 grams. This makes it quite convenient whether you’re buying some for yourself or picking up a few packs as gifts. As for the taste, the quality remains consistent with what I’ve always remembered. The familiar flavor and product standards are still there, although, naturally, the prices have changed over the years. With fluctuations in raw material costs, distribution expenses, inflation, and other factors, price increases are understandable. Ultimately, for bak kwa lovers and especially those who used to make a point of bringing it home from Singapore, having Bee Cheng Hiang available in Jakarta and the surrounding areas makes getting your favorite bak kwa much easier. No need to wait for the next Singapore trip just to satisfy that craving!
3. Sunday Brunch, Nusantara Special, Movenpick City Center Jakarta
If you’re looking for a brunch option in Jakarta, Ginger Flower at Mövenpick Jakarta City Centre is one place worth checking out. The restaurant tends to be especially lively on weekends, with plenty of families gathering for a relaxed brunch. This September, Ginger Flower is presenting a special collaboration with Chef Marinka, one of the familiar names in Indonesia’s culinary scene. With a long-standing career in the industry, she is widely recognized through various television appearances, including her role as a judge on MasterChef Indonesia.
The collaboration features two special dishes that caught my attention. The first is Salmon Woku, featuring cured salmon that remains tender and juicy, paired with the aromatic and flavorful woku seasoning. The second is Beef Ribs Tongseng, with tender beef ribs served in a rich and robust tongseng sauce, packed with herbs and spices. If you’re planning to experience the brunch here, I’d recommend making a reservation in advance, especially for weekends. The restaurant can get quite busy, particularly during brunch hours, so booking ahead will save you from having to wait for a table.
The collaboration features two special dishes that caught my attention. The first is Salmon Woku, featuring cured salmon that remains tender and juicy, paired with the aromatic and flavorful woku seasoning. The second is Beef Ribs Tongseng, with tender beef ribs served in a rich and robust tongseng sauce, packed with herbs and spices. If you’re planning to experience the brunch here, I’d recommend making a reservation in advance, especially for weekends. The restaurant can get quite busy, particularly during brunch hours, so booking ahead will save you from having to wait for a table.
4. Mid-Autumn Set Menu, Liu Li Palace, Ayana Mid-Plaza, Jakarta
September is synonymous with the Mid-Autumn Festival, so it comes as no surprise that mooncakes start appearing everywhere. But if you’d like to celebrate the Mid-Autumn season with a slightly different experience, Liu Li Palace at AYANA Jakarta is offering a special Mid-Autumn Set Menu, perfect for enjoying with family or friends. The menu features an extensive selection of Chinese dishes, including Shark Fin Crab Soup, Tiger Grouper with Pork and Mushrooms, Oatmeal-Crusted Prawns, Hainanese Chicken, and more. To finish the meal, there’s Mango Sago and, of course, a selection of mooncakes to complete the festive experience. Designed as a sharing menu, the set requires a minimum of four diners, with certain dishes, including the soup and dessert, portioned according to the number of guests. The set is priced at IDR 468,000++ per person. As you would expect from a five-star hotel, the dishes are prepared using quality ingredients and carefully executed. The flavors are comforting and familiar, while each dish is well-cooked and nicely presented, making it an easy choice for a relaxed family gathering. So, if you’re looking for a Chinese dining experience to celebrate the Mid-Autumn Festival in Jakarta, especially one that’s designed for sharing, this set menu at Liu Li Palace is certainly worth considering. Unfortunately, the mooncakes didn’t quite meet my expectations. They look nicely shaped, and I particularly like that each piece comes with two salted egg yolks, which is always a nice touch. However, the skin felt a little too soft and lacked the slightly baked or lightly charred texture I personally enjoy in a good mooncake. The filling was also somewhat mild, and I found the flavors could have been bolder and more pronounced.
5. Brunch After The Dark, Lobo, The Ritz Carlton Jakarta
Brunch is usually synonymous with a lazy Sunday afternoon, but what if you could enjoy brunch at night instead? Well, at Lobo Restaurant, you certainly can!
The concept is essentially a “brunch-meets-dinner” experience, combining the variety of a brunch buffet with the more sophisticated atmosphere of an evening dining experience. The selection includes chilled seafood, including oysters, paella, Beef Wellington, pastries, and desserts, alongside à la carte dishes such as roast chicken, steak, pasta, and risotto. Beyond the food, you can also enjoy cocktails or wine while listening to live music. The overall atmosphere feels much more like a luxurious dinner than a typical hotel brunch, making it quite a different experience from the usual weekend buffet. The brunch is available every Wednesday evening from 6:30 PM to 9:30 PM, with prices starting from IDR 800,000++ per person. At this price point, I found the quality and variety particularly impressive compared with many typical hotel buffets. Personally, the steak and roast chicken were among my highlights. And since there are often special promotions available, tables can fill up quickly. So, if you’re curious to experience a brunch that breaks all the usual rules, I’d recommend making a reservation ahead of time!
The concept is essentially a “brunch-meets-dinner” experience, combining the variety of a brunch buffet with the more sophisticated atmosphere of an evening dining experience. The selection includes chilled seafood, including oysters, paella, Beef Wellington, pastries, and desserts, alongside à la carte dishes such as roast chicken, steak, pasta, and risotto. Beyond the food, you can also enjoy cocktails or wine while listening to live music. The overall atmosphere feels much more like a luxurious dinner than a typical hotel brunch, making it quite a different experience from the usual weekend buffet. The brunch is available every Wednesday evening from 6:30 PM to 9:30 PM, with prices starting from IDR 800,000++ per person. At this price point, I found the quality and variety particularly impressive compared with many typical hotel buffets. Personally, the steak and roast chicken were among my highlights. And since there are often special promotions available, tables can fill up quickly. So, if you’re curious to experience a brunch that breaks all the usual rules, I’d recommend making a reservation ahead of time!
6. Nelum, New Open
A Sri Lankan restaurant in Jakarta and, if I’m not mistaken, this was actually my first time trying Sri Lankan cuisine in the city. I initially assumed Sri Lankan food would be quite similar to Indian cuisine, but it turned out to be surprisingly different. While there are familiar dishes such as curry, the Sri Lankan flavor profile is much more aromatic without feeling overly heavy. In fact, I found many of the dishes to have a cleaner and more refreshing taste compared with some Indonesian dishes. Some of the must-try dishes include the Crab Curry, Crispy Bitter Gourd Salad, and, of course, Hoppers, a unique Sri Lankan specialty that may be unfamiliar to many diners. Overall, it’s a distinctive dining experience, yet still approachable enough for those trying Sri Lankan cuisine for the first time. According to the chef, some dishes have been slightly adjusted to suit Indonesian palates, so the flavors aren’t quite as intense or unfamiliar as their more traditional versions. I think this makes the restaurant a good introduction for anyone who is curious about Sri Lankan food but isn’t sure what to expect. Prices start at around IDR 200,000 per person for a full meal, which I’d say is still fairly standard for dining in the Senopati area.
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