Jakarta is big, loud and fast. Since we’re not big city people, we only spent one day here – just enough to get a taste of it, before heading toward quieter corners of Indonesia. Read here about our first impressions, ideas for spending 1 day in Jakarta, as well as tips on accommodation and where to find vegan food.
1 Day in Jakarta: First Impressions
The first moments outside in Jakarta felt different from anything we had experienced before. The heat was almost overwhelming – thick, nearly tangible. It wrapped around the body, making it almost hard to breath at first… but then, somehow, we got used to it. Just like the 11 million people living in the metropolitan area of Jakarta alone – all while they manage to work, carry heavy loads, jog through the streets and live their lives like some kind of superhumans who don’t have to change their shirts every two hours from sweating too much. Jakarta doesn’t apologize for the heat, and so, within a few hours, we stopped resisting it. It became part of the experience, as much a part of the city as its chaotic charm and unstoppable energy.
What to see in 1 Day in Jakarta
As you probably have guessed already, it took us some time getting used to the climate. That’s why we took it slow, visited only a few places and took breaks to sit down and let the new impressions sink in. If you don’t mind the heavy heat, you can probably squeeze a lot more into your 1 day in Jakarta!
Monas
One of the must-sees if you spend 1 day in Jakarta! Monas stands for National Monument and is a powerful symbol of Indonesia’s independence. It’s 132m high and houses a museum showcasing Indonesia’s fight for freedom. You can visit the museum, the Hall of Independence (which holds the original text of the Proclamation of Independence) and the observation desk.
Entrance:
– Museum ground: free
– Museum and Hall of Independence: 8,000 Rp (approx. 0.45€) for adults
– Observation deck: 24,000 (€1.35) for adults
! Tickets are paid with a JakCard (an electronic payment card), which can be purchased on-site for around Rp 50,000 (€2.80).
Getting there: Merdeka Square, Jakarta
Cathedral & Mosque
The majority of Java’s population is Muslim, but a small percentage also follows Christianity, Hinduism, and Buddhism. A really cool aspect of life in Java is how peacefully these religions coexist. One of the best symbols of this harmony is the presence of the Jakarta Cathedral and the Istiqlal Mosque, located just a few minutes’ walk from each other. Entrance to both is free.
Getting there: Jakarta Cathedral and Istiqlal Mosque
Tip: Exploring Central Jakarta on Foot: The Meredeka Square (Monas) and the Jakarta Cathedral and Istiqlal Mosque are just a 20-minutes walk away from each other.
Old Town
Another must-see is Kota Tua (Old Town Jakarta), a historic district filled with Dutch colonial architecture, lively street performers, and cozy cafés. It’s the perfect place to soak up the city’s past and enjoy a slower pace. The heart of this area is Fatahillah Square, where locals and tourists gather to relax and explore the surroundings. Nearby, you’ll find the Jakarta History Museum, which offers a fascinating look into the city’s colonial past, and the Wayang Museum, dedicated to traditional Indonesian puppetry.
Getting there: Taman Fatahillah, History Museum, Wayang Museum
Accommodation in Jakarta
Our accommodation
- Konko Hostel Jakarta: We stayed at Konko Hostel Jakarta mainly for the reason that we looked for something close to Gambir train station, where we had planned to catch our train to Yogyakarta on the following day. We booked a private room for 20€/night, but they also offer cheaper dormitory beds. Konko Hostel had everything we were looking for: they are conveniently located in walking distance to sightseeing spots such as Monas and food places, offer a good value for money and a friendly backpacker vibe, while still being calm and quiet.
Accommodation options
Budget (Under 20€/night)
- Konko Hostel Jakarta
– Central Jakarta (near Gambir Station)
– Dorms & Private Rooms
– ~8-20€/night - Wonderloft Hostel
– Near Fatahillah Square
– Dorms with privacy curtains
– ~8-12€/night
Mid-Range (20-60€/night)
- Yello Hotel Harmoni
– Central Jakarta
– Modern rooms with funky design
– ~30-50€/night - Hotel Santika Premiere Hayam Wuruk
– West Jakarta
– Comfortable business-style rooms
– ~45-60€/night - Ashley Wahid Hasyim Jakarta
– Near Sarinah and Jalan Jaksa
– Clean, spacious rooms
– ~35-55€/night
High-End (Over 60€/night)
- Mandarin Oriental Jakarta
– Near Bundaran H
– Elegant rooms, 5-star service
~120–180€/night
- The Hermitage, a Tribute Portfolio Hotel
– In upscale Menteng area
– Colonial-style luxury, rooftop bar
– ~100–150€/night
- Hotel Indonesia Kempinski
– Iconic hotel in central Jakarta
– Direct mall access, pool
– ~130–200€/night
Vegan Food in Jakarta
Vegan Restaurants in Jakarta
- Burgreens: A vegan chain with multiple locations across Jakarta. We were lucky enough to be close to the one in Menteng and, of course, had to try it out. They offer a wide range of delicious burgers, bowls, and side dishes – and to Daniel’s delight, the amount of protein was listed for every dish 😉 Next to the restaurant, there was also a small shop selling food and toiletries. A big recommendation!
- Anjali: Rice and noodle dishes, as well as vegan pastries.
- Alok Vegetarian: Self-service buffet. (Only open until 5pm!)
- Bakmie Jamur: Noodle and rice dishes.
- Dapur Sehat Kencana: Noodle and rice dishes.
- Dimsum Santa: Little kiosk offering local cuisine including dim sum, sambal goreng, tofu and mock meat.
- Alok Vegetarian: Self-service buffet. (Only open until 5pm!)
- Bakmie Jamur: Noodle and rice dishes.
- Dapur Sehat Kencana: Noodle and rice dishes.
- Dimsum Santa: Little kiosk offering local cuisine including dim sum, sambal goreng, tofu and mock meat.
- Fortunate Coffee: Vegan bakery and coffee chain with multiple locations across Jakarta.
Vegan Streetfood in Jakarta
Nasi Goreng
One of Indonesia’s most famous dishes, Nasi Goreng, is easily adaptable for vegans. While often prepared with egg or chicken, you can readily find or request “Nasi Goreng Vegan” or “Nasi Goreng Tanpa Telur/Ayam” (without egg/chicken). This version typically includes mixed vegetables like carrots, peas, and corn, stir-fried with rice in a sweet soy sauce (kecap manis), garlic, and chili. Many places will substitute animal protein with tofu or tempeh.
Tempe Orek
A popular and flavorful dish, Tempe Orek made from tempeh (fermented soybean cakes) that is stir-fried with sweet soy sauce, chili, and other spices until it’s slightly caramelized and crispy.
Gado-Gado
Gado-Gado is an Indonesian salad and a popular vegan dish in Jakarta. It typically consists of blanched or steamed vegetables such as cabbage, long beans, spinach, and bean sprouts, combined with boiled potatoes, fried tofu, and tempeh. What truly defines Gado-Gado is its rich and savory peanut sauce dressing, often sweet and spicy, and usually garnished with fried shallots and krupuk (often not vegan, but can be asked to be left aside).
Pecel
Similar in concept to Gado-Gado, Pecel is another widely available vegan option. Originating from Java, it features a variety of blanched vegetables like kangkung (water spinach), long beans, and bean sprouts, all generously drenched in a distinct peanut sauce that tends to be spicier and more aromatic than Gado-Gado’s, often containing kencur (aromatic ginger). It’s commonly served with steamed rice.
Urap Sayur
Another traditional Indonesian salad similar to Pecel and Gado-Gado, but instead of peanut sauce, the blanched vegetables (typically long beans, bean sprouts, and spinach) are mixed with a dressing of seasoned grated coconut.
Sayur Asem
A refreshing and tangy vegetable soup, Sayur Asem is a staple vegan dish in Indonesian cuisine. This sour soup usually features a variety of vegetables such as young jackfruit, melinjo beans, corn, peanuts, and long beans, cooked in a tamarind-based broth. Its distinctive sour, sweet, and slightly spicy flavor makes it a perfect accompaniment to rice and other dishes.
Tahu Goreng
Fried tofu, often served as a side dish or snack. It’s crispy on the outside and soft on the inside, and can be enjoyed plain or with a dipping sauce.
Further Reading
Blog Articles
Useful Resources
About the Authors
Lynn & Daniel are the vegan couple behind VanderlustJourney, combining their passion for adventure and plant-based living. They share stories and visuals of natural places, hikes, vegan discoveries, and meaningful encounters from around the world – always striving to travel with kindness.
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✉️ Contact: vanderlustjourney@outlook.com