A Two-Day Culinary Escape: From Tangerang to Central Jakarta

Taking a few days off in mid-December 2025 — just before the Christmas and New Year rush — turned out to be more colorful than we expected. Instead of traveling far, my wife and I decided to stay close to home.

And we chose one theme:

F-O-O-D.

No out-of-town trips. No airports. Just Tangerang and Central Jakarta — exploring places we predicted would be packed on weekends. Weekdays felt like the perfect time to visit. And what a delicious decision it was.

Let the food adventure begin.

Saturday Afternoon — Comfort at Ta Wang

Our first stop was Ta Wang, located in the Goldfinch shophouse complex in Tangerang. We initially planned to try their Medan-style duck rice vermicelli — but unfortunately, it was already sold out.

Left: Free-range chicken vermicelli. Right: Free-range chicken porridge.

So we ordered Free-range chicken vermicelli, Free-range chicken porridge

The aroma of garlic oil and sesame oil immediately filled the air. Both dishes carried a strong, comforting fragrance that felt homey and inviting. The flavors were layered but not overly complicated. No need for chili sauce or soy sauce — everything was already perfectly seasoned. The porridge had a natural savory depth that made me suspect the broth was simmered with chicken bones for extra richness.

Each bowl of porridge came with Tender kampung (free-range) chicken (you can request breast or thigh), Fried cakwe (Chinese crullers), Scallions, Crispy fried garlic that added both aroma and crunch. The chicken was soft and never chewy — easily the highlight of both dishes. They also confirmed the restaurant is halal. As for the vermicelli, it was equally satisfying. One interesting detail: each bowl comes with jeruk songkit on the side — a citrus option for a fresh, tangy kick if desired.

A comforting start to our culinary journey.

Saturday Night — Spicy Adventure at Pasar 8 Alam Sutera

That evening, we ventured somewhere new for us: Pasar 8 Alam Sutera.

At night, the place transforms into a vibrant food hub — similar to BSD or Bintaro’s modern market concepts. The variety was overwhelming. So many choices, so little stomach space. We eventually chose Ayam Bakar Taliwang, a Lombok specialty.

Left: Grilled free-range chicken. Right: Plecing Kangkung.

Served as one whole grilled free-range chicken per portion, we selected the “normal spicy” level. Alongside it, we ordered plecing kangkung — a fresh water spinach salad with tomato sambal and crushed peanuts. The grilled chicken was bold, it means savory, smoky, and packed with spice.

Personally, I preferred it without the extra dipping sauce. The seasoning was already powerful, especially when paired directly with warm white rice. The plecing kangkung brought balance — fresh, slightly sweet, mildly spicy, with a satisfying crunch from fried peanuts. Together, the spicy chicken and refreshing vegetables complemented each other beautifully. One whole chicken was perfect for the two of us. And for seafood lovers, there are also grilled or fried fish options available.

Sunday Lunch — Padang Royalty at Restoran Garuda

The next day, we headed to Central Jakarta. Our first stop: Restoran Garuda in Cikini — a well-known Padang restaurant.

A full of Nasi Padang portion with Dendeng Batokok, Gulai Snapper, and Jangek Kuah.

We ordered two plates of nasi rames with Dendeng batokok, Gulai red snapper, Jangek kuah (beef skin crackers with curry gravy). The dendeng batokok (boiled, grilled beef served with green sambal and coconut oil) had a smoky flavor, balanced with savory richness. The beef slices were thick but tender — addictive without being overly spicy. The gulai snapper surprised us. Its bright yellow, thick curry sauce differed from typical beef gulai. The sweetness of the fish indicated freshness — the natural flavor of sea fish truly stood out.

And then the jangek kuah. Crunchy yet partially soaked in vegetable curry gravy, creating a half-crisp, half-soft texture. It might be considered a side dish — or a main character, depending on how much you love texture. With warm rice, it was irresistible.

Coffee Break at Blue Doors Coffee

Before dinner, we needed a break. Blue Doors Coffee in Cikini offered a calm, homey atmosphere with soft lighting.

We ordered Iced long black, Iced cappuccino. Refreshing and smooth — the perfect reset. We even spent some time working on our individual “projects,” enjoying quiet me-time.

Comfortable enough that we almost forgot about dinner.

Sunday Dinner — The Best Bakso We’ve Had at Bakso A Kiaw 99

For our final stop, we headed to Mangga Besar.

Bakso A Kiaw 99 — confirmed halal — turned out to be the highlight of the trip. We ordered One vermicelli bowl with beef slices and mixed meatballs, One beef meatball bowl with sengkel (beef shank).

2 portion of Bakso A Kiaw 99

Each bowl arrived with A generous spoonful of fried shallots, a separate bowl filled with scallions and cilantro — reminiscent of Vietnamese pho presentation. The broth looked clear but tasted deeply beefy. Rich. Clean. Powerful. The meatballs were intensely “ndaging” — I’m almost certain they use nearly 100% beef without fillers. The sengkel was tender and satisfying. No need for extra sauces, soy sauce, or chili. It was already perfect.

Yes, the price is higher than average Jakarta bakso stalls. But with 10 meatballs per bowl and that level of quality — it felt absolutely worth it. For us, this easily ranks among the best bakso in Jakarta.

Closing Thoughts — More Than Just Food

By 5 PM, our culinary adventure came to an end. Monday was waiting.

But those two days stayed with us.

Not because we traveled far. Not because it was luxurious.

But because we chose to pause.

To sit across from each other. To share meals. To discover new flavors. To enjoy both conversation and quiet.

Marriage, for us, looks like small adventures in between responsibilities.

Two days. Several bowls. Countless small moments.

See you on our next food adventure!