Dining Experiences: Jakarta
Jakarta is a city that never ceases to surprise, especially when it comes to its dynamic food scene, that has new restaurants constantly come and go. On my last visit, I had the pleasure of dining at three remarkable restaurants, each offering a unique and unforgettable culinary experience. From refined local flavors, timeless fine dining with a personal touch and a cool yakitori bar, these dinners left a lasting impression.
Esa Restaurant is an homage to Indonesia’s rich food culture, bringing together flavors that are deeply rooted in tradition yet presented with a modern twist. Esa truly encapsulates the beauty of Indonesian ingredients and traditions, through storytelling and flavors, in an elegant, thoughtful way. A dream project of the trio by Kevindra Soemantri, Jessica Eveline and Chef Aditya Mustika. I loved re-living my childhood memories through their exciting dishes. I’m excited to see how Esa will continue to flourish and inspire other chefs and restaurants into putting the spotlight on modern Indonesian gastronomy. I had fantastic dishes that highlighted local ingredients such as longan and bunga kenanga (ylang-ylang), a combination that’s both delicate and aromatic and asam jawa (tamarind) and cumin created a beautifully balanced depth—earthy, slightly tangy, and warmly spiced. Esa truly encapsulates the beauty of Indonesian ingredients in an elegant, thoughtful way.
Kindling impressed me from the very step inside the new refurbished old Dutch-Indonesian colonial style house. It was more than just a restaurant—it’s a sensorial experience and a perfect dance of Chef Vallian Gunawan’s vision and memories. While the flavors nod to Asia with a refined French rendition, it’s the entire atmosphere yet homey feel that captured me. The quirky, one-of-a-kind unmatching-matching pieces of furniture give the space a charm that feels both curated and personal. It’s the nostalgia of flavors, the comfort of familiarity, and the rekindling of personal memories that make the experience unforgettable.It’s the thought put into every step of the Kindling experience that leaves a mark on the night—a beautifully orchestrated combination of flavor, design, and emotion. The dishes included “kombujime hamachi” —fresh and creamy, with a delicate umami that was well-balanced and a perfect way to begin. Aged cod, barbecued to perfection accompanied by beurre blanc and a silky roasted onion puree that added a luxurious touch. My personal favourites was the brioche, so simple, delicious and baked to perfection. It ended with a “jasmine espuma with orange granita, orange peel, and Earl Grey ice cream.” The floral notes of jasmine paired beautifully with the citrus elements, while the tea-infused ice cream rounded out the dish with a subtle bitterness. It was a refreshing and sophisticated end to the night.
Japanese cuisine has become extremely popular in Jakarta but at Junsei, the simplicity of yakitori was elevated. Chef Aman Lakhiani opened his second restaurant in 2024 after opening his first restaurant almost four years ago during the pandemic in London. It safe to say that it was probably one of the best yakitori experience I’ve had in Indonesia. Each skewer was grilled to perfection, with just the right balance of smokiness and succulence. One of the highlights was the chicken embryo, a delicacy that showcased the restaurant’s dedication to authentic Japanese flavors and quality ingredients. The meal concluded with one of my personal favorite desserts, a heartwarming sticky date pudding, naturally sweet and uniquely textured. It was the perfect finale—comforting, rich, yet not overpowering.