Jakarta to Indonesia is like New York to United States of America'a city that never sleeps. Many Indonesians go all the way from their remote hometowns to work in Jakarta, supplying the capital of Indonesia with unique contrasts of culture and palates. Jakarta has so many to offer if you know where to look.

Getting There
Since Jakarta is the capital of Indonesia, this megalopolis is only one, two (or several) trips away by plane, from many big cities in the world. From Sukarno-Hatta airport, formerly known as Cengkareng, you're free to see the sights of Jakarta.

Where to Stay
Tight budget. Look for inns that rent their rooms with nomical fees. For those who prefer luxuries, choose five-starred hotels or apartments (for rent).

Moving Around
The most comfortable way is by renting a car. You can find taxi quite easily, though, and if you're feeling adventurous why not try riding public transportation such as buses and busways. Make sure you know your destination (and most importantly, which bus to take, so you won't be lost).

Dining Guide
From street vendors to chic and elegant restaurants, Jakarta has everything. If seafood is your choice, then Muara Karang is your ideal place. Located in southern Jakarta, this is the perfect site to buy fresh seafood products. Don't worry if you can't cook, some restaurants in Muara Karang will cook the raw materials you have chosen. Or, to save time, just visit the restaurant and choose your favourite cuisine from the menu.

Perhaps one of Jakarta's specialities is called kerak telor. It is made of eggs and other ingredients. Mostly sold by street vendors, this treat has gained popularity so now you can get your portion in some food courts and traditional restaurants. Gado-
gado, ketoprak offer delicious taste and they're quite filling, too. Usually they are eaten with steamed rice or lontong a dish made of rice stuffed into banana leaves shaped into a tube, then boiled until it's ready to eat. Gado-gado contains beancurd sauce and various boiled vegetables in it, such as potatoes, lettuces, cabbages, and so on. A sauce made of grounded peanuts and other herbs is then added. Ketoprak uses a similar sauce, but it mainly consists of beansprouts, fried beancurd, and boiled bihun angel hair-like noodle. Ketoprak & gado-gado are available in street vendors and most traditional restaurants.

Sate (meat on skewers) is tasty. Covered with peanut sauce and other ingredients, sate ayam (the main ingredient's chicken), sate sapi (beef) , sate kambing (mutton) are widely sought by many people. You can find sate in most traditional restaurants. You can also try sate sold by street vendors.

Want to combine shopping and dining experience. Try the malls. All shopping centers in Jakarta have their own food courts and restaurants. Food courts tend to be noisy and crowded, so if you prefer privacy, choose restaurants/cafes, instead.

Restaurants located in starred hotels are generally quite pricey but good in taste and service. Ideal for those who value quality.

Cafes like Starbucks and Tea Leaf are favorites for both locals and tourist to interact. Try various types of Indonesian coffee, to freshen up your day.

If you want to try Indonesian food, bear in mind that Padangese food tends to be spicy.

Sundanese tends to be bland yet tasty, ideal for most people. Javanese food tends to be sweet. Ask locals for more information.

Some restaurants that you might like to frequent:

AMERICAN HAMBURGER KEBAYORAN BARU
Jalan Melawai IV no. 17, Blok M

ANGUS HOUSE RESTAURANT
Chase Plaza Tower, 25th Floor, Jalan Jendral Sudirman Kav. 21

BOB SHASHLIK RESTAURANT
Jalan Kemang Raya 14

CAFE DE PARIS
Jalan Kemang Raya 90

BEBEK BENGIL
Dharmawangsa Square, Jalan Dharmawangsa VI/IX

TGI FRIDAY
The Ascott Jakarta, Taman Ria Senayan, Jalan Gerbang Pemuda, Senayan

JAVA BLEU
Jalan Fatmawati 15 Blok E 31

SATE KHAS SENAYAN
Jalan Cokroaminoto 78

Bakmi GM
Delivery Hotline:
+62 21 56 55 007

The Duck King
Daily Opening Hour 10.00-22.00
STC Senayan Lt. VII Mezzanine
Jl. Asia Afrika Pintu IX
Gelora Bung Karno Jakarta Pusat 10270
Tel. +62 21 579 32032/33
Fax. +62 21 579 32031

LA BRASSERIE
Le Meridien Hotel, Jalan Jendral Sudirman Kav. 18-20

OISHII
Jalan Kemang Raya 24A

wwwok!
Jalan Kemang Raya 9 JK

DAPUR SUNDA

Kawasan Hanggar Teras Pancoran, Jalan Gatot Subroto Kavling 72

WARUNG DAUN
Masakan Sunda
Pusat : Jl. Wolter Monginsidi No. 41 Kebayoran Baru, Jakarta, 12180
Tel. +62 21 727861138, Fax. : +62 21 72786137
Cabang : Jl. Pakubuwono VI No. 10 Kebayoran Baru, Jakarta 12120
Tel. +62 21 7395454, Fax. : +62 21 7259955
Email : warung_daun(AT)yahoo.com (AT dibaca @)

Rumah Makan Gudeg Bu Tjitro
Jalan Veteran I No. 23 Monas
Jakarta Pusat
Tel. +62 21 3456727

Waroeng Chamoe-Chamoe
Ikan Bakar Manado
Jl. Panglima Polim IX No. 53
Jakarta 12160
Tel. +62 21 720 8294; +62 21 726 7094
Fax. +62 21 727 91805
Gedung Millenia Lantai 2
Sudirman Central Business District
Jl. Jend. Sudirman
Jakarta Selatan 12190
Tel. +62 21 5152905; +62 21 515 2906


PAPRIKA
Jalan Wahid Hasyim 55A

SAMUDRA SHARKS FIN
Hotel Mulia, Jalan Asia Afrika

Ulam
Balinese & Sea Food Restaurant
Kemang Jakarta
Reservation: +62 21 780 5572 & +62 21 781 4984

Bebek Bali

Resto-Cafe-Gallery
Komp. Taman Ria Senayan
Jl. Gerbang Pemuda
Jakarta 10270
Tel. +62 21 574 7667/69/70
Fax. +62 21 574 7229


Souvenir Tips

* Visit Sarinah Building in Blok M or Pasar Seni (Art Market) in Ancol. This way, you can buy souvenirs from various parts of Indonesia. The prices might be a bit expensive, but it's much cheaper compared to buying them in their original place! (If you travel to Bali to buy a wooden carving, for instance, it will cost you more money than buying the same carving in Jakarta!)
* Why not books? There are many books about Indonesia in English. You can buy them in local book stores such as Gramedia or QB.
* Original pieces of paintings, sculptures, and so on. Get them on Pasar Seni Ancol. If you're lucky, you can even meet the artists.


Other Things to See or Do

* Shop till you drop! There are many boutique and classy stores selling sophisticated and exclusive items in Jakarta. Malls like Mangga Dua, for instance, might even persuade you to buy new sets of underwears to party gowns!
* Visit DUNIA FANTASI (Fantasy World) in Ancol. This place offers entertainment for kids and adults. Try the rollercoaster for a breathtaking experience. Ride ferris wheel to marvel at magnificent view of Jakarta.
* Visit SEAWORLD, also in Ancol, where you can observe gigantic fish from Amazon, piranhas, and watch the numerous fish eat!
* Go to Taman Mini (Indonesian Miniature Park) to see miniatures of many things including Indonesia's traditional houses.


Travel Tips

* Should you decide to travel by taxi, make sure that the taxi use the argometer. If possible, opt for Blue Bird taxis. They're known for their reliability.
* Bring lightweight clothes unless you plan to stay indoor most of the time. Jakarta is quite hot.
* Learn a few necessary phrases in Indonesian. Not all Indonesians can speak English well.
* Check your bill before you leave, to avoid any mistakes. Tipping is not common if you buy food from street vendors or most fastfood restaurants. It is polite to leave a tip in classy restaurants, though.?