Rude staff aside, how has Shintana Bakery been a Jakarta legend for decades?
qponx
2026-01-24
Shintana Bakery is a Jakarta legend where the flavor is king, but the service is famously not. This old-school spot serves up pure nostalgia with its "Jadul" style baked goods. Brace yourself for the notoriously rude staff and non-existent parking, but you'll be rewarded with an unforgettable taste of the past. Don't miss their legendary soft chiffon cake or the crispy chocolate polo buns—they're the reason this bakery has stood the test of time.
Whenever I chat with my veteran Jakarta friends about bakeries, someone always brings up Shintana, saying things like"it's a legend,""I've been eating it since I was a kid"... I thought to myself, Anjay, is it really that amazing?
But when I got to the front door, I was stunned. The storefront was pitifully small, and you can basically forget about parking[1]. As soon as I walked in, I was immediately hit by that legendary aloof"ketus" vibe from the staff... The lady at the cashier had a poker face the whole time[2], the atmosphere instantly dropped to freezing point, and I almost wanted to turn around and leave.
Flavor is the Only Entry Pass
But! The moment I got the bread in my hands, all was forgiven. This is a shop you can't judge by its ambiance or service, because the flavor is its one and only pass.
The bread here is all about that"Jadul" (old-school flavor), completely unlike the sickeningly sweet, flashy stuff from today's internet-famous shops. Every bite is a trip down memory lane to your childhood; it's that simple, unpretentious, but endlessly nostalgic old-school taste[3].
I tried a few of their signature items for you guys:
- Chiffon Cake: Their most popular chiffon cake[4], it's truly Mantap! The texture is soft and fluffy, the sweetness is just right, and buying a whole one to have for breakfast at home is an absolute must.
- Roti Polo Cokelat: The chocolate polo bun[5] is a must-get! The outer crust is crispy, and the chocolate filling inside is so thick it barely melts. An old classmate said it's the best he's ever had, and I believe him!
- Bolen: This one is also delicious, with several flavors like chocolate, cheese, and sausage[6]. It's great as an afternoon snack or to bring to a friend's place to Nongkrong.
The Bad Before the Good
Alright, enough with the praise, let's get real. This shop's pitfalls are as prominent as its strengths, and you need to know them before you go:
- 1. Service is Hit-or-Miss: The staff's attitude is really not great, and I've heard from friends that they often make mistakes with the bill[7], so everyone should be careful when paying and double-check your receipt.
- 2. Halal Concerns: For my Muslim friends, please note that this shop doesn't seem to have Halal certification[8], so if that's a concern for you, you'll have to give it a pass.
- 3. Portion Size Issues: For some snacks like the fried meat patties (kroket), some lokal friends have mentioned that the portions aren't as generous as those in the old shops in Surabaya[9], but the taste is still classic.
Editor's Guide
- Best Time to Visit: If you want to grab breakfast, come early! They supposedly open at 6:30 AM[10], so you can get freshly baked, warm goodies. Perfect!
- Getting There: Don't drive! Don't drive! Don't drive! Parking is practically non-existent[11]. Taking a taxi or a Gojek is the only right way to go.
- How to Choose: If you're coming for five-star service and ambiance, run! But if you're looking to rediscover Jakarta's purest old-school flavor and are willing to put up with the service for a taste of it, then Shintana is absolutely worth a special trip. After all, this kind of unchanging taste that has lasted for decades is becoming rarer and rarer. 👍
- Jakarta's legendary bakery [1], a local childhood staple. Even with poker-faced staff [2], its pure old-school flavor [3] conquers all.
- Grab their Chocolate Polo Bun [4]! Crispy crust, rich, melt-in-your-mouth chocolate filling – foodies' "best ever."
- Their popular Chiffon Cake [5]: soft, perfectly sweet. Fresh by 6:30 AM [6]; a whole one for breakfast? Pure bliss!
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