When huge bakery chains dominate the mainstream bread market, we’ve become used to going there for the sake of convenience.
But when you’re craving something different, try these underrated bakeries in Jakarta for a change to French and Japanese-style bread, old-school roti, and more.
Image credit: @levantboulangerie
Levant Boulangerie et Pâtisserie specializes in fresh authentic French bread and pastries that are preservative-free and fermented for at least a day to help the bread stay fresh for longer and retain its flavor. Baked with traditional recipes, its loaves perfect for breakfast or lunch include the Campagne (Rp. 51,000, ~USD3.63) and the Rustic (Rp. 63,000, ~USD4.49), which are pure sourdough bread mixed with rye flour.
Image credit: Luxofood
Since Levant is a French bakery, we can’t possibly forget to mention that it has delicious baguettes, the iconic French bread. There are two types: the Rustiquette (Rp. 38,000, ~USD2.71), which is sprinkled with seeds, and the plain Paillasse (Rp. 40,000, ~USD2.85).
Even something that is easily taken for granted, such as the classic butter croissant (Rp. 22,000, ~USD1.57), is made with attention to detail. It’s soft but not greasy, and also comes in the form of mini croissants (Rp. 14,000, ~USD1 each) for home snackers. In addition to bread, there are also delicious chocolate and fruit tarts, cakes, and other sweet treats to choose from. You can also try their specialty dishes such as all-day breakfast and pizza at the cafe.
Address: Jalan Cipete Dalam #9A, South Cipete, Cilandak, South Jakarta 12420
Opening hours: Mon – Sat 7AM-7PM | Sun 7AM-3PM
Telephone: 0217661453
Address: Jalan Terogong Raya #72, West Cilandak, South Jakarta 12430
Opening hours: 7AM-9PM, Daily
Telephone: 02127824468
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Image credit: @animobakery
Animo Bakery offers a variety of affordable bread, cakes and pastries – such as sourdough for only Rp. 20,000 (~USD1.42), or textured multigrain bread for Rp. 25,000 (~USD1.78). Both taste even better when slightly toasted because of the extra crunch.
As for pastries, there are the usual favorites such as the Butter Croissant (Rp. 10,000, ~USD0.71) and Pain Au Choc (Rp. 15,000, ~USD1.07), those with a more adventurous palate will be delighted to have a taste of the shop’s Klepon Croissant (inspired by grated coconut-covered rice cake balls filled with palm sugar), Nastar Croissant (flavored like pineapple tarts), and Red Velvet Croissant, each sold at Rp. 20,000 (~USD1.42). Savory pastries filled with tuna and sausage, as well as various eclairs, donuts, and cakes, are also available.
Animo also has its own take on es kopi susu, or iced coffee with milk. It’s only Rp. 17,000 (~USD1.21) and perfect for those who want a light caffeinated beverage to go with your bread of choice.
Address: Jalan Cipete I #6A, South Gandaria, Cilandak, South Jakarta 12410
Opening hours: 9AM-4PM, Daily
Telephone: 02122769595
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Image credit: traveloka.com
Pan-Ya, which translates to “bread store”, brings healthier addictive-free bread to Jakarta. With a signature Japanese-style chewy texture that differentiates it from local and European-style bread, with a balanced bread-to-fillings ratio, the buns here work as snacks or desserts any time of day.
The Okayama Anpan (Rp. 16,000, ~USD1.14), for example, is a classic soft bun filled with a generous amount of red bean paste that will dissolve in your mouth. There’s also the Oyaki Choco (Rp. 13,000, ~USD0.93), a form of dumpling, which will surprise you with its rich texture, and the Matcha Melon Bread (Rp. 16,000, or ~USD1.14) with a green-tea flavored crust, a staple in Japanese bakeries.
If you don’t have much of a sweet tooth, get the plain Soft Roll (Rp. 13,000, ~USD0.93), which is a chewy roll that is simple but satisfying and goes with any of your own spreads. A selection of loaves are also on offer if you want to stock up for the week.
Address: Lotte Shopping Avenue LG Floor, Jalan Prof. Dr. Satrio #1, Karet Kuningan, Setiabudi, South Jakarta 12940
Opening hours: 10AM-10PM, Daily
Telephone: 02194368874
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Korean garlic cheese bread
Image credit: @ajbakerycake
Established in 1990, AJ Bakery makes it to this list of underrated bakeries as it still successfully attracts customers despite the non-stop birth of new food ventures nearby. Particularly loved by those who live in and near the Kelapa Gading neighborhood, the shop offers soft bread of different shapes and sizes with a variety of sweet and savory fillings ranging from blueberry to smoked beef and cheese.
You can choose different types of soft rolls with milk, cheese, chocolate, or nuts and be teleported to your childhood because of their distinctive flavor that modern bakeries are slowly abandoning. The Keju Susu and Keju Coklat rolls are Rp. 9,500 (~USD0.68) each and the Kacang Coklat roll is Rp. 9,000 (~USD0.64) each.
As with most old-school bakeries, AJ Bakery doesn’t forget its Indonesian roots and provides jajanan pasar, or “market snacks,” which are traditional Indonesian treats such as Dadar Guling or rolled pancake (Rp. 13,500, or ~USD0.96), Klepon or grated coconut-covered green rice balls filled with palm sugar (Rp. 13,500, or ~USD0.96), and Kue Mangkuk or traditional cupcakes(Rp. 6,000, or ~USD0.43), just to name a few.
It also produces pastries such as the bestselling Almond Croissant (Rp. 10,500, or ~USD0.75) and cakes that you can order on special occasions such as birthdays and weddings.
Address: Jalan Summagung III KR Block #22, East Gading, Kelapa Gading, North Jakarta 14240
Opening hours: 6AM-8:30PM, Daily
Telephone: 0214522984
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For more locations, click here.
Japonaise mocha ice cream cake
Image credit: @foodstory_byme
Vineth Bakery was established in the late 1970s by William Wongso, a legendary figure in the Indonesian culinary field. The bakery has a classy old-school look and serves bread, pastries and cakes ranging from humble bagels to specialty cakes.
For those of you who have a soft spot for simple types of bread that can be enjoyed regardless of your mood or the weather, make sure you get the bagels which start at Rp. 6,000 (~USD0.43) or the brioche (Rp. 13,000, or ~USD0.93).
Image credit: @tasteit.likeit.loveit
There’s also a selection of pastries such as the scrumptious Chocolate Croissant (Rp.20,000, or ~USD1.42), as well as savory pastries such as the Curry Puff (Rp. 15,000, or ~USD1.07) to choose from.
Birthday party planners can consider the Japonaise Ice Cake – the smallest size you can get is 18cm and it’s Rp. 300,000 (~USD21.36).
Address: Jalan Panglima Polim Raya #63–65, Pulo, Kebayoran Baru, South Jakarta 12160
Opening hours: 8AM-8PM, Daily
Telephone: 0217203877
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Image credit: @sendokbesi
Another forgotten gem that’s maintained the quality of its bread and treats since the late 1970s is Suisse Bakery. Its heavy yet soft bread has not gone out of fashion, remains affordable, and attracts a long queue so it’s best to order early in the morning.
Image credit: @sendokbesi
Try classics such as the staple chocolate (Rp. 9,000, or ~USD0.64) and cheese buns (Rp. 10,000, or ~USD0.71) – or innovative inventions such as the corn bread, or Roti Jagung (Rp. 9,000, or ~USD0.64), the pineapple bread, or Roti Nanas (Rp. 9,000, ~USD0.64), and of course, the Coffee Bun (Rp. 9,500, or ~USD0.68).
Suisse Bakery doesn’t stop at bread. It also offers traditional snacks, and one of the bestselling non-bread items on the menu is its Risoles Ayam (Rp. 10,000, or ~USD0.71), which are similar to spring rolls except they’re plumper, softer, and covered with breadcrumbs. The filling to pastry ratio is precise and balanced, so that the pastry isn’t so thick that it’ll make you feel as if you’re eating plain bread, but is thick enough to hold the chicken filling together.
Address: Jalan Hayam Wuruk, 114 Block A #5–6, RT.10/RW.9, Maphar, Taman Sari, West Jakarta 11180
Opening hours: 6AM-10PM, Daily
Telephone: 0216393409
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Roti Keset with ham and cheese
Image credit: Dandy Bakery
In business for over 30 years, Dandy Bakery sells bread, jajanan pasar or traditional snacks, and Indonesian-style donuts.
It offers a humongous Roti Keset, which is meant to be shared or eaten over a few days. You’re supposed to “tear” the bread, which is why another name for this type of bread is roti sobek, literally meaning “torn bread” or “bread you can tear.” Prices range between Rp. 34,000 (~USD2.42) and Rp. 80,000 (~USD5.70), depending on the filling. You can also buy the mini version, which starts at Rp. 15,000 (~USD1.07).
Pisang Coklat (banana and chocolate buns)
Image credit: Dandy Bakery
Apart from that, there’s also Roti Manis, or sweet bread, with an array of both sweet and savory fillings ranging from chocolate to sausage. Prices start at Rp. 7,200 (~USD0.51).
Address: Jalan Boulevard Raya #11, East Kelapa Gading, Kelapa Gading, North Jakarta 14240
Opening hours: 6AM-7PM, Daily
Telephone: 0214520489
Address: Jalan Kemang Raya #3–5, Bangka, Mampang Prapatan, South Jakarta 12730
Opening hours: Mon-Sat 7AM-7PM | Sun 8AM-7PM
Telephone: 08119532639
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Roti Gambang
Image credit: @sandhikacipta
Lauw Bakery has been around since the 1970s, making it one of the few and underrated bakeries in Jakarta that has stood the test of time. The bread is known for its signature firm texture, compared to relatively newer bakeries that tend to opt for softer bread.
Image adapted from @laurentius_as
Millennials are surely young enough to remember seeing Lauw carts around the neighborhood. Though the carts have decreased in number, you can still find them.
Image credit: @nonajuliana
Lauw’s classic Roti Coklat is only Rp. 6,500 (~USD0.46). The aroma of the chocolate is distinctive, as it’s unlike common chocolate spreads you’ll find in supermarkets. Roti Pisang Coklat (Rp. 8,000, ~USD0.57), which combines bananas and chocolate, is another typical Lauw bread that impresses you with its humbleness.
Another ultimate must-try is Lauw’s Roti Gambang (Rp. 6,500, or ~USD0.46), a Semarang delicacy that has a characteristic cinnamon scent. It’s a very dense bread so it can keep you full for a few hours. Roti Gambang is quite rare these days, even among old-school underrated bakeries, so you have a legit reason to get it at Lauw.
Address: Jalan RS Fatmawati Raya #42, North Cipete, Kebayoran Baru, South Jakarta 12150
Opening hours: Mon-Fri 8:30AM-7:30PM | Sat 8AM-5PM | Closed on Sundays
Telephone: 0217398290
As this list proves, good bread doesn’t always have to be expensive – the most simple soft buns can fulfil our bread cravings.
You can switch between different types of bread from these local, underrated bakeries for a change from the usual chains.
Also check out:
Cover image adapted from: @ajbakerycake and @selvisusilo
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