Petak Enam — Attraction in Jakarta

Petak Enam, located in Jakarta’s vibrant Chinatown, Glodok, is more than just a culinary destination—it's a window into the rich history and cultural heritage of the area. The name "Petak Enam" refers to one of the original sections within the historic Glodok area, which has been a center of Chinese-Indonesian culture for centuries.

The roots of Petak Enam trace back to the 17th century when the Dutch East India Company (VOC) designated Glodok as the Chinese quarter of Batavia (now Jakarta). The area quickly grew into a bustling hub for trade, culture, and community life. Over the years, Glodok became known for its vibrant markets, traditional medicine shops, and religious sites, reflecting the deep cultural ties of the Chinese-Indonesian community.

Petak Enam, specifically, was one of the key areas within this quarter, known for its lively commerce and community activities. The name itself means "Block Six," a reference to the numbered sections used to organize the district. For generations, Petak Enam served as a meeting point for residents and traders, and it played a crucial role in the economic and social life of Chinatown.

In recent years, Petak Enam has undergone a revival, transforming into a modern food court and cultural center while retaining its historical charm. The revitalized Petak Enam is housed in a beautifully restored building that blends traditional Chinese architectural elements with contemporary design. The space has become a popular destination for both locals and tourists, offering a diverse range of culinary delights, from traditional Chinese-Indonesian dishes to modern fusion cuisine.

The atmosphere at Petak Enam is lively and nostalgic, with the scent of traditional foods mingling with the sights and sounds of a bustling market. The decor reflects the area's rich history, with vintage photographs, Chinese lanterns, and other cultural artifacts adorning the space. This creates an immersive experience that transports visitors back to the days when Glodok was the heart of Chinese-Indonesian life in Jakarta.

Petak Enam stands as a testament to the enduring legacy of Jakarta's Chinatown. It preserves and celebrates the cultural heritage of the Chinese-Indonesian community while adapting to the modern tastes and expectations of today’s visitors. Beyond its culinary offerings, Petak Enam also serves as a venue for cultural events, exhibitions, and performances, further cementing its role as a cultural hub.

For those interested in Jakarta’s history, a visit to Petak Enam offers more than just great food; it provides a unique glimpse into the past and a deeper understanding of the city’s multicultural roots. The blend of old and new, tradition and modernity, makes Petak Enam a special place in the heart of...

Petak 6 is located within petak 9 Glodok area. Main entrance is easily missed from the main road since cover by many street stalls surround it. Main parking space is even harder to reach as you need to pass a small alley and I wouldn't suggest bringing a large vehicle such as SUV since the alley is small and entrance to main parking lot also tight space. Just park on the road side and keep your belonging as petak 9 is always crowded with people.

Petak 6 has a different ambience compare to old shanghai or pantjoran pik which they have a more luxurious feeling. Decoration of old china with a touch of peranakan, where lanterns and small water fountain truly brings a sense of nostalgic feeling here in petak 6, as if you are in an old Chinese movie. Not a luxurious one, but surely brings out more of an old days era feeling. Since it's semi outdoor, shouldn't worry for sun rays too hot or rainy days, the natural breeze of air is enough for a cooling system there.

Place spacious, has many tables and chair. Second floor has other stores as well, sitting at second floor is probably more private and has a nicer view of petak 6, but second floor has limited food option.

My fav is definitely Ho Lai, it is hard to find a decent taiwanese or singaporean carrot cake here in Jakarta, and Ho Lai happens to serve a delicious large portion carrot cake (IDR 45K). We also try the sedap wangi sapo rice (IDR 60K) it's like nasi campur serve in a claypot, which is also delicious. There is also cempedak (IDR 25k if I wasn't mistaken) , fried cempedak fruit kinda like a jackfruit but sweeter and nicer if you wanted to try this exotic fruit taste. Overall I would go often to Petak 6 if it's not because of...

Despite the hassle for it's parking spot, I think I will still give this place a 5 star rating due to it's uniqueness.

Let's settle the issue of parking first. You will probably need this if you go here with your own car. There are three options for parking spot here. Ranking from the hardest to the easiest.

In third place, the parking spot for Petak Enam is actually behind it, so when you enter the Pancoran Area after passing Glodok Bridge, there are two one way street (both are same direction), choose the left one. Not far from there, you will see Petak Enam on your left side, passed it a bit and you'll see a left turn alongside the small river (or big sewer😁). Go along and you'll see the first parking option on your left.

In second place, back to the beginning, after passing the Glodok Bridge, this time you choose the right side of the road, and you'll see Pancoran Chinatown Point, big building just like a Mall. You can choose to park in the street in front of the Chinatown Point, or...

In first place and my preference of parkir spot is, just park inside the Chinatown Point, though it's a bit hight, because the P1 park ia above the second floor, but I think the parking spot is likely guaranteed because there are lots of option there. And as a plus, other than visiting Petak Enam, you can also visit this Mall that carries Chinatown theme, I think it's the one and only in Jakarta.

As for Petak Enam itself, sadly I arrive at 8pm, and due to the new PPKM rules, the stalls are closed at 8pm. I really want to try the Kwetiaw Gosong though, under the red ambience in...