Venue • Dining & Visual Navigation

Gastronomic Menu & Dining Guide

Route Maps, Authentic Dishes & Step-by-Step Directions from Perpusnas

Pedestrian & Transit Compass

Map & Directional Layout from Perpusnas

The diagram below shows the spatial layout of key culinary districts directly relative to the National Library (Perpusnas) main gate on Jl. Medan Merdeka Selatan:

NORTH: Monas Park (Merdeka Square) • Across the Street
COMPASS SCHEMATIC
📍 Starting Point: Perpusnas Gate
Jl. Medan Merdeka Selatan No. 11. Exit here and face the main road. Monas Park is directly behind you across the avenue.
⬅️ Heading West (Turn Left)
Leads directly to Jalan Sabang (12 mins walk) and Kebon Sirih (15 mins walk) past City Hall and Bank Indonesia.
⬇️ Heading South (Transit/Taxi)
Leads to Menteng Mansions (7 mins taxi) and Grand Indonesia Food Hall (10 mins Busway from Halte Balai Kota).

Walking Safety: Sidewalks on Jl. Medan Merdeka Selatan and Jl. M.H. Thamrin are wide, tree-lined, and paved. Use designated signalized pedestrian crossings or pedestrian overpasses to cross Thamrin.

1. Jalan Sabang (Jl. H. Agus Salim) – Street Satay & Kopi Oey

950m • 12 Mins Walk

Jakarta most celebrated historic evening food street. After 17:00, the open avenue fills with traditional satay vendors grilling skewered chicken, goat, and beef over glowing coconut charcoal grills.

Step-by-Step Walking Directions:

  1. Step out of Perpusnas main lobby, walk to the sidewalk, and turn LEFT.
  2. Walk straight west along the wide sidewalk for 250m past Jakarta City Hall (Balai Kota).
  3. Cross the major Thamrin boulevard via the signalized pedestrian crossing at Bank Indonesia.
  4. Continue along Jl. Kebon Sirih for 300m, then turn RIGHT directly into Jl. H. Agus Salim (Jalan Sabang).

Indonesian Sate Ayam Bumbu Kacang
Traditional Chicken Satay with Peanut Sauce

Must-Try Dishes: Sate Ayam Madura (chicken skewers with sweet soy & ground peanut sauce), Sate Kambing (tender goat meat with shallots & bird-eye chili), and Kopi Oey (vintage iced coffee). Average Cost: Rp 35.000 – Rp 80.000 (USD $2.20 – $5.00).

2. Nasi Goreng Kambing Kebon Sirih – Giant Wok Mutton Rice

1.2 km • 15 Mins Walk / 5 Mins Taxi

An open-air culinary landmark operating since 1958. Chefs prepare massive batches of spiced rice in gigantic meter-wide cast-iron woks, infusing aromatic clarified butter (ghee), cardamom, cinnamon, cloves, and mutton broth.

Step-by-Step Directions:

  1. Exit Perpusnas and walk south along Jl. Medan Merdeka Selatan.
  2. Turn left onto Jl. Kebon Sirih and continue straight past the Telkom Landmark tower.
  3. Find the entrance to Jl. Kebon Sirih Barat I on the right side of the avenue. Look for the huge smoking woks and yellow signage.
  4. Transit Tip: Or book Grab/Gojek taxi; set pinpoint to “Nasi Goreng Kambing Kebon Sirih”.

Nasi Goreng Kambing Kebon Sirih
Legendary Kebon Sirih Mutton Fried Rice

What to Order: Nasi Goreng Kambing (served hot with pickled cucumber and emping crackers) or Sate Kambing Bumbu Kecap. Operating hours: 17:00 – midnight. Average Cost: Rp 45.000 – Rp 60.000 (USD $2.80 – $3.80).

3. Menteng Heritage Mansions – Royal Banquets & Beef Rendang

2.2 km • 7–10 Mins Taxi

Set inside restored 1920s colonial mansions in Jakarta diplomatic precinct. These upscale dining venues serve Indonesia UNESCO-recognized culinary triumph: slow-caramelized dry beef rendang simmered in rich coconut cream and crushed aromatics.

Taxi & Ride Directions:

  • Walking is not recommended due to heavy boulevard traffic.
  • Take a Bluebird metered taxi directly from Perpusnas lobby queue.
  • State either destination: Plataran Menteng (Jl. H.O.S. Cokroaminoto No. 42) or Bunga Rampai (Jl. Teuku Cik Ditiro No. 35).
  • Taxi fare is approximately Rp 25.000 – Rp 35.000 (USD $1.60 – $2.20). Credit cards accepted.

Authentic Indonesian Beef Rendang
Slow-Cooked Minangkabau Beef Rendang

Recommended Dishes: Rendang Sapi Padang (slow-cooked caramelized beef), Dendeng Batokok (crisp beef strips with crushed green chilies), and Gurame Goreng Kering. Average Cost: Rp 200.000 – Rp 400.000 (USD $13.00 – $25.00).

4. Grand Indonesia Alun-Alun – Air-Conditioned Oxtail Soup

2.5 km • 10 Mins via TransJakarta Busway

Ideal for first-time delegates seeking authentic archipelago food in a pristine, air-conditioned environment with English photo menus. Located on the 3rd floor of Grand Indonesia West Mall (Alun-Alun Indonesia Food Hall).

Fast Busway Route (Fare: Rp 3.500 / USD $0.22):

  1. Walk 2 minutes from Perpusnas gate to Halte Balai Kota directly in front.
  2. Board Corridor 1 or 2 heading south toward Blok M.
  3. Ride 2 stops and alight at Halte Bundaran HI Astra.
  4. Take the underground pedestrian tunnel straight into the entrance of Grand Indonesia West Mall. Take the elevator to Level 3.

Indonesian Sop Buntut Sapi
Signature Indonesian Clear Oxtail Soup

Signature Dish: Sop Buntut (rich, spiced beef oxtail broth boiled with nutmeg, cloves, carrots, and potatoes, served with steamed white rice, freshly squeezed lime, and green sambal). Average Cost: Rp 95.000 – Rp 150.000 (USD $6.00 – $9.50).