Not a fan of sweets? Come in! I'm afraid you'll get addicted to this Jakarta ice cream.
qponx
2026-01-24
Tired of overly sweet ice cream? Discover Honest Spoon in Jakarta, a haven for those who love rich, natural flavors without the sugar bomb. This spot serves dense, gelato-style scoops with generous portions. Don't miss their unique must-tries like the aromatic Earl Grey or the surprisingly delicious sweet-and-savory Brie Cheese. This guide gives you the full scoop on what to order, when to visit to avoid crowds, and other essential tips for the perfect ice cream run.
Honestly, I often get PTSD from eating ice cream in Jakarta… so many shops are sickeningly sweet, and I'm over it after just two bites. Pure"sugar bombs." But this place I recently discovered in Cikajang, South Jakarta, Honest Spoon, is my absolute favorite! It's here to save"weirdos" like us who don't like super sweet things!
So many flavors it's hard to choose, but you can't go wrong even if you order with your eyes closed!
Their ice cream has a super dense texture, kind of like an Italian Gelato, not that fluffy, airy kind. As for the flavor, it's all about being naturally rich but not cloyingly sweet[1], leaving your mouth feeling really refreshed. The portion for a single scoop is super generous, feels a whole size bigger than other places[2]. A single scoop is around 35k Indonesian Rupiah, so the value for money is Mantap!
I tried a few flavors this time, let me report back to you girls:
- 伯爵茶 (Earl Grey): A must-order! The tea flavor is so strong it's like drinking an iced Earl Grey milk tea. Tea lovers, just go for it[3].
- 布里奶酪 (Brie Cheese): Anjay! It sounds weird, but it's a pleasant surprise! It's sweet and savory; the savory flavor of the cheese paired with honey and almonds creates a super rich and layered texture. Curious cats have to try this[4].
- 曲奇怪物 (Cookie Monster): The looker of the bunch! The Tiffany blue color is super cute, with big chunks of cookies hidden inside. Perfect for taking photos for your social media feed[5].
But before you get too excited, let's talk about the cons
First off, the place is really not that big, though the decor is cozy and homey. But on weekend nights, it gets super crowded and as noisy as a wet market. If you want to Nongkrong and have a good chat with friends, you'd better avoid peak hours[6].
Secondly, premium flavors like Pistachio (开心果) cost extra[7], so make sure to ask when you order to avoid a surprise at the checkout. However, the flavor is genuinely authentic, so nut lovers can pay for what they love.
Guide to Avoiding Pitfalls (Quick, take out your notebook and jot this down)
- Try before you buy: Too many flavors and afraid of making a bad choice? Don't be shy to ask the staff for a taste (try/coba), they're super nice and will let you try several flavors before you decide[8]!
- Go during off-peak hours: If you want to chill quietly, definitely avoid weekends and evenings[9]. Weekday afternoons are the most comfortable.
- Parking issues: Parking spots out front are ridiculously scarce, but the shop offers valet service[10]. If you can't be bothered to find a spot, just hand your keys over to them.
- Sweet-haters, rejoice! Rich, never cloyingly sweet[1] ice cream, super refreshing. My new obsession!
- Must-try Earl Grey – intensely tea-flavored like iced milk tea[2]. Also, the dark Brie cheese: salty-sweet with honey almonds, incredible texture[3].
- Scoops are huge[4], only ~35k IDR. Free samples of multiple flavors[5] – amazing value!
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