“They’ll claim it as theirs soon” – M’sians React to the First-Ever Nasi Kandar Restaurant in Jakarta

If you’re a Nasi Kandar connoisseur and ever found yourself in Jakarta and craving the iconic Malaysian Tamil Muslim dish, fret not as there’s actually a new Nasi Kandar joint in the Indonesian capital!

Going viral online with over 3 million views as of the time of writing, Indonesian food content creator @nyamwithinop took to TikTok to share her experience dining at the first-ever Nasi Kandar restaurant in Jakarta, Kedai Nasi Kandar by Empat Sekawan at LCC Adityawarman lt. 2, South Jakarta.

First-ever Nasi Kandar restaurant in Jakarta!!

A Nasi Kandar lover herself, @nyamwithinop shared her excitement at the opening of Jakarta’s first-ever Nasi Kandar restaurant, saying that Indonesians no longer have to fly to Malaysia to enjoy the popular dish.

In the video, she shared several popular offerings by Kedai Nasi Kandar by Empat Sekawan and their respective prices.

These include the Nasi Kandar Chicken set for IDR49,000 (RM14.75) and the Nasi Kandar Berjaye set for IDR79,000 (RM23.80). Meanwhile, there are also ala carte options of extra fried bitter gourd for IDR7,000 (RM2.11) and Apollo Squid Ala Carte for IDR34,000 (RM10.25).

Besides that, the restaurant also has popular Malaysian beverages and desserts such as Iced Teh Tarik for IDR20,000 (RM6) and Iced Chendol Melaka for IDR35,000 (RM10.55).

@nyamwithinop shared that like Nasi Kandar in Malaysia, there are various curry gravies on offer at the restaurant, all of which don’t put in coconut milk for more “oomph”.

You can watch the video here:

@nyamwithinop Akhirnyaaa bisa makan nasi kandar di Jakarta.. ternyata kuah nya makin banjir tu makin enak #kulinerjakarta #nasikandar #nasikandarjakarta #kedainasikandar #kulinerblokm ♬ School Rooftop (Bird Sounds) – hisohkah

Malaysians look for Indonesian food in Malaysia, Indonesians look for nasi kandar in Indonesia

Rather expectedly, many Malaysians were present in the comments section, sharing their views on the Nasi Kandar offerings at the Jakarta restaurant.

One commenter joked about how Malaysians are always looking for the Indonesian dish originating from Sumatera Nasi Padang in Malaysia, while Indonesians are clamouring to find Nasi Kandar in their country.

Meanwhile, a few Malaysians in the comments poked fun at the Malaysian-Indonesian rivalry of claiming the cultures or foods as originating from their own country by saying that in 2 to 3 years, Indonesia would claim that Nasi Kandar is from their country with the opening of the restaurant.

Besides that, one commenter wasn’t a fan of the curry gravies that the restaurant offered as they looked too diluted despite not having coconut milk mixed in.

Hence, for this Malaysian and Nasi Kandar lover, the ones offered in this Jakarta restaurant are not authentic.

So, what do you guys think of Jakrta’s first-ever Nasi Kandar joint? Share your thoughts with us in the comments.

Also read: “Been here for 20 years” – English Uncle Speaks Fluent BM When Visiting Penang Nasi Kandar Outlet