Noodle Adventures in Jakarta: Where I Go for the Ultimate Comfort Food

When I say that I love noodles, I truly (TRULY!) mean it. My love for them may not be as strong as it was when I was in school, but the desire to hunt down a good bowl of noodles still pops up from time to time. Seriously. It’s not an exaggeration. Just check my camera roll after I type the word “noodles”...

As I was saying, noodles are amazing. But sometimes, it’s not that easy to find the one—the dish you’ll want to keep coming back to—given how many restaurants spring up. In Jakarta, for instance, I’ve tried a handful of noodle-based dishes, but here are some notable ones that I’m thinking of visiting again (if I haven’t already):

#1 - DEMIE Bakmie 69

One of my favorite places for bakmie in Jakarta, DEMIE has been a comfort food of mine since I first tried it in 2022. The bakmie karet (rubber noodles) is so good that I keep coming back for more. Recently, I also tried their fried meatballs, and they were delicious!

#2 - Bakmi Cong Sim

Definitely one of the best pork noodle places in Jakarta. Even though the noodles are on the thinner side (and I usually prefer thicker ones), Bakmi Cong Sim is a place I find myself wanting to return to every now and then. With generous toppings, you can barely see the noodles, but it’s definitely a must-try!

#3 - Bakmi Gading Permai

A noodle place I discovered not so long ago. Bakmi Gading Permai’s bakmi ujung pandang is so savory that my noodle cravings are always satisfied here. The fried meatballs are also fantastic. Highly recommended!

#4 - Matahari Chinese Food

Another comfort food of mine, this discovery from 2021 was recommended by an old colleague. I usually order from this place online, so I’m not familiar with the actual restaurant. But the fried noodles are amazing. I’ve recommended it to many of my friends, and they love it too.

#5 - Sate Klathak dan Bakmi Jowo Pak Jede

My sister recommended this place to me a while ago. After trying the bakmi goreng (fried noodles) with an additional request of, “Please make it a little bit nyemek (soggy)”, I understood why my sister spoke so highly of it. It’s a really good spot for Javanese-style noodles. I've only tried it once, but I'll definitely return in the future.