Kopi Es Tak Kie — Restaurant in Jakarta

Came here for the vibes and left with one of the most flavorful Bakmie Ayam I have ever had in my life.

I had seen Kopi Es Tak Tie on Instagram reels and just for the hype, I pinned it on google maps as it had a rustic charm and I wanted some local dining experiences. As I wandered around Glodok (Jakarta’s Chinatown), I thought it was a standalone store but it was nestled within a row of eateries blocked out by wooden boards lined with bright orange advertisements. I thought I had gotten the place wrong but ask around and the locals will be happy to direct you to it.

I entered the establishment and it was exactly how I had seen it in pictures. Time had stopped in another decade, the heat was sweltering and there was a buzz of people from all walks of life just enjoying their noodles. I order the “komplit” (complete) set which comes with the meatballs and the pieces of chicken and the food comes within minutes!

I drizzle my noodles with some of their homemade chilli and mix everything together. I take my first bite and the noodles are perfectly al dente paired with the saltiness of the meat and the freshness of the lightly blanched greens… I am in HEAVEN. I wolf down the glistening noodles while sipping on the accompanying hot soup after every bite and I am done in 5 minutes, wondering if I should order another bowl. I resist temptation. After all that, I am dripping in sweat but the icy cold Teh Tawar (tea without sugar) cools me down, signaling the end of a very quick but delicious meal.

Cash is preferred but they also have the QR code method of payment (which as a tourist, I have not quite figured out yet)

This could easily have been one of the top ten bowls of noodles I’ve had in my life and trust me… I LOVE NOODLES! Now back in Singapore, I am still left with the lingering taste of that bowl of...

Vintage Chinese coffee shop located in Jakarta Chinatown (Glodok area). Serving coffee since 1927, this place still maintain the old interior style - old building, old furnishing & decoration - hence we can feel the 1950s ambience.

Located in a narrow alley filled with various street stalls serving mainly heritage chinese food & other miscellaneous stuffs i.e. household utilities, and the road would be filled with sellers of Imlek related goods every year when CNY is coming. Access is only possible on foot or using motorbike, for those using cars it would be most convenient to park on Jl. Pancoran then walk here.

The main features here are Coffee, Nasi Campur & Noodles. ☕️ I love the Kopi Susu especially because of the richness & non-acidic taste, the bittersweet balance from the black coffee & condensed milk is addictive! You can also order chinese delicacies from the stalls outside, i.e. Sek Ba, Pie Oh, etc. My personal favorite is Vinlin’s Cotton Japanese Bread 🍞 looking humble yet taste so soft & fluffy, it melts in your mouth - this is the type of traditional bread which you can never get tired of. There are 4 types: original (plain), cheese, chocolate &...

Kopi Es Tak Kie surely did not disappoint. To start off with, the restaurant really gives off an authentic atmosphere. Located in the Chinatown of Jakarta, the place has a mix of Chinese cultures all around. Moving on to the food, the noodles that i ordered was felt very authentic compared to other noodles that i have tried. Personally i would give the noodles a solid 8/10. I tried the famous coffee afterwards and it surely was a surprise. I have never really enjoyed drinking coffee but their one was just amazing, i would personally give it a 9/10 rating and for those who are curious and would want to travel to Pantjoran, i highly recommend this place. It is located in an alley and fear not of getting lost because Pantjoran was huge and packed by a lot of people so do not be afraid to ask for directions to this very place because you will not regret. They also had “Nasi Tim” or steamed rice with minced meat on top which i did not get to try as they were closing and for your information, they do close somewhere after noon so you have to kind of rush before they run...