The best food in East Jakarta is hidden under a flyover?
qponx
2026-01-24
Tired of the usual spots? Discover a true hidden gem in East Jakarta, tucked away under the Kampung Melayu flyover. This cozy, Instagrammable cafe serves up unique, stretchy handmade ice cream with must-try flavors like Teh Botol. But the real showstopper is the surprisingly delicious and affordable pasta, with a wok hei that rivals fancy restaurants. It's the perfect secret base for a hangout with friends, complete with power outlets at every table and board games for extra fun.
Girls, if anyone says East Jakarta is a food desert again, I'll fight them! But for real, if my lokal friend hadn't shown me the way, I would have passed by this place 100 times and still missed it… It's hidden right under that chaotic flyover in Kampung Melayu, and the entrance is often completely blocked by those blue minibuses looking for passengers[1], I almost turned back and left!
But once I went inside, Anjay! It was a completely different world. The space is small but decorated so cozily, full of Instagrammable vibes, perfect for coming to nongkrong with your besties. And I took a quick look, and surprisingly, every table has a power outlet. People working from cafes (WFC) have another secret base!
The Ice Cream Is More Amazing Than the Pasta? No, the Pasta Is Even More Amazing Than the Ice Cream!
I originally came for their handmade ice cream, and the texture is absolutely incredible! It's not soft and mushy like gelato, nor is it hard like American-style ice cream. It's somewhere between Turkish and Italian ice cream—dense, soft, and stretchy, with a super unique texture. The flavors are always changing too. Things like Lychee Rose and Pistachio are standard, but they even have a Teh Botol flavor[2]! And the taste… totally Mantap!
But what shocked me the most was their pasta! I ordered the Aglio Olio[3], not expecting much, but the first bite had my eyes wide open in shock… That wok hei, that seasoning, it beats so many five-star restaurants, okay?! My friend's Chicken Parmesan Pasta[4] was also super delicious. The prices are ridiculously cheap too. An Affogato is only 23K[5], two big scoops of ice cream are 28K[6], and the pasta is just around 30-40K. Who can even understand this value for money!
Okay, Let's Talk Real for a Second…
Even though it's so good I want to weld myself to a chair here, I have to be clear about the downsides:
First, drivers beware! There's almost zero parking space out front[7], you can squeeze in one or two cars at most. I strongly recommend coming by motorcycle or Gojek.
Second, the space isn't big, so it can get a bit hot during peak hours. And because it's an open kitchen, you might occasionally get a whiff of cooking smoke[8]. Oh, and the music can be a bit loud sometimes, so if you want a quiet chat, you'll have to try your luck.
Third, the pasta portions might be a bit small[9] for guys or people with big appetites. It's just right for an afternoon snack or to satisfy a craving.
My Honest-to-God Tips, You're Welcome!
Alright, I've given you the address. Go and visit it for a second time for me! Let's see what new ice cream flavors you can dig up
- Try before you buy! They have a lot of ice cream flavors, so just be bold and tell the staff"coba dulu ya". You can get free samples[10] to find your true love before committing!
- Look out for promos! The shop often has various promotions, and you can sign up as a member to collect points. My friend used her points to get free ice cream[11]. Thrifty girls, go for it!
- Don't just eat. The shop also has board games like UNO and Jenga[12]. After eating, you can play a few rounds with friends. It's no problem to just chill for an afternoon～
- Hidden under an East Jakarta overpass, this super Instagrammable WFC spot boasts power outlets at every table! [1]
- Their Aglio Olio[2] delivers five-star restaurant wok-kissed flavor – mind-blowing!
- Divine Teh Botol[3] flavor in their dense, stretchy Turkish-Italian hybrid ice cream. Two scoops are just 28K[4]!
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