Every expat should know the traditional markets in Jakarta to be able to live their expat life fully. I believe it is in traditional markets where we get to see and feel the authentic local vibe, raw and unpretentious. It is how you see it, unfiltered.
I am going to share the biggest pasar tradisional that you should go to so you can plan your trip or your market day based on what you want to buy.
Mayestik Pasar Tradisional
This is the Mayestik Traditional Market located at Kebayoran Baru in South Jakarta. This is a huge traditional market that foreigners love to go to. The meats and vegetables are definitely cheaper than supermarket prices. Since I experienced buying from Mayestik, I always end up hesitating to buy meats and other vegetables at supermarkets. I can’t help constantly comparing the price even when I am in Grand Lucky. Once you get to experience buying in traditional markets, I feel like I can’t go back to supermarket prices anymore.
I always buy my beef meats here in Mayestik. There is a pork vendor here by the name of Pak Wayan. All foreigners (and Indonesians who eat pork) would know him because he is the only one selling pork. We all know Indonesia is primarily a Muslim country. He is a friendly pork vendor and openly gives his WA to his customers (WA: +62-812-8373-1443). You see, you can just send a message to him through WhatsApp and order for the pork you need and he will have it delivered to you. Convenient!
There are chicken, seafood, and vegetables in the basement. It also has all kinds of nuts, rice and beans, and all sorts of handicraft supplies, too. Mayestik has several floors where you can shop for clothes and fabrics. Different kinds of Indonesian textiles are available here. You just need to meticulously go up each floor to see for yourself all these ready-to-wear clothes and textiles.
Textiles in Mayestik
Surrounding the main building of Mayestik are stores selling various batiks and other fabrics. Mayestik is actually known for these textiles. Foreigners come here to buy textiles of their choice. It’s a haven if you are into this kind of thing.
There are accessories, too. And materials for accessory and craft-making. There is a popular store beside the main Mayestik building called Toko Maju that sells all kinds, (as in all kinds!) of materials for your craft-making. It isn’t hard to spot, but in case you miss it, just ask for the name Toko Maju and everyone knows where it is. Good luck and enjoy!
Here’s a video I made in Mayestik (this does not include the fabric market):
Pantai Indah Kapuk Pasar Tradisional
I go to Pantai Indah Kapuk (PIK) traditional market when I want to buy a lot of pork. I mentioned above that there is a vendor for pork in Mayestik, but he is the only one. You will have no other choice. In PIK, one section of the market has all pork vendors. So, when I discovered PIK, I always schedule my market day for pork intentionally for PIK. Needless to say, the price is much cheaper than that of Mayestik. Maybe it’s understandable because there is only one vendor there.
In contrast, beef is a little bit more expensive here compared with the prices of beef in Mayestik. So, when I want to buy beef, I schedule the day for Mayestik. Vegetables are relatively less expensive in Mayestik, too. But fruits are definitely cleaner and fresher here in PIK. If you can watch my video below, PIK is organized neatly so its fruit section has all the fresh fruits you can see around.
Aside from doing your market, PIK is a new area in North Jakarta that has a line of restaurants and nice-looking cafes. You can stay and walk around and discover the area each time you come for your market day. My sons’ impression of the place was, “This doesn’t look like Indonesia”. Well, you can understand what they mean when you come to visit it for yourself.
These are the traditional markets in Jakarta that every expats need to know. You can now imagine how I schedule my market days.
I hope this helps future expats here in Jakarta.
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When in Indonesia! Clean and wide range of different things around! Necessity, essential too
Parang dapat din po kabisado din jan kung saan yung mas mura 😅 anyway saya mamali jan Ms. Wendy ang fresh pa ng meat nila unli sa ibang market and naka organized din po.
thanks for sharing Ms wendy ..very informative !glad to know about traditional markets in jakarta Indonesia..ang lawak diyan,ang dami pwede bilhin.,ang saya saya din mamili diyan.hopefully soon ,we can visit/travel here in jakarta Indonesia too !
Natutuwa ako na mamili sa mga ganito . Bukod sa malinis ang market tlgang fresh pa lahat ang tinda nila . Thanks for sharing this ❤️
Thanks for sharing Ms. Wendy 💗 glad to know about traditional markets in Jakarta 💗 ang sarap mamili sa mga ganito ang lawak, daming pwedeng bilhin 💗
Thank you for sharing this Ms Wendy,It will help those who’s planning to migrate or a trip to Indonesia,we really need to know what’s cheaper and at the same time high quality para makatipid tayo🥰❤️
Love it! Ang gaganda po Ng mga markets na Yan in Jakarta and very clean and organize ung mga bilihin. Sure na madami din Ang mabibili dito Lalo na yung mga needs natin ☺️
Oh yeah, that’s right. It is a Muslim country. Good to know that they don’t totally ban pork, probably for non-muslim visitors. Yeah, I guess when the product is rare, it is much more expensive. That’s why organic here in the PH is expensive!
The vibe is really like here in our country PH! It will really be interesting to experience this first hand! Travel soon!
Whenever I travel abroad, I always make sure to visit markets where I can buy locally-made items. Fan talaga ako ng authentic goods na hindi makikita elsewhere – lalo na clothes! Thank you for the virtual tour, Ms. Wendyflor!
It’s great to be familiar with places like the ones you mentioned in this post. It’s a great way to acquaint oneself with the culture of the locality that they’re visiting.
Sarap mamili ng meat jan! I’ve also watched your vlog. Naaliw ako habang namimili ka, ang fresh ng mga meat! Natawa ako sa Native chicken nung tinawanan ka pa hehe. Will definitely watch your vlogs more and read your articles. I’m curious with the Indonesian locals. I’ve been away from youtube for quite some time. Babawi ako 😀
i agree! actually pati nga dapat mga tourist ano? one of the places na a must to visit!
This is what I am looking for! Sa Mayestik pala merong mga Indonesia-made textile. I would love to buy some and make them part of my collection.
I haven’t been to Jakarta (only in Sumatra). If I get to visit, I would definitely hit the textile market!
[…] if you even buy at all. Honestly, I didn’t. But that’s because I have come to know of markets around Indonesia where I can buy at less expensive […]
Wow ang cheaper pla ng meat at vege. Dito kumpara sa SUPERMARKET .. GANDA PALA DITO MAMILI .❤️❤️❤️THANKS FOR SHARINGG ❤️