[Jakarta Must-Buy Souvenirs Recommendation] 7 Practical Food Items — Coffee, Hair Oil, Instant Noodles, and Chocolate All Make the List

Besides itinerary and food, going abroad definitely wouldn't be complete without shopping for souvenirs and little goodies! In this post, I've put together 7 great items that I actually bought, repurchased, or recommend from my two trips to Jakarta — ranging from Indonesian specialty coffee and popular skincare products to snacks and instant noodles. They're not only great for personal use, but also perfect as souvenirs for friends!

Excelso Coffee Beans & Drip Bags (Repurchase) Excelso is a local Indonesian coffee brand, sharing its name with the chain of coffee shops, and it sells various Indonesian bean varieties such as Toraja and Mandheling, as well as small drip-bag packages. The flavor is rich, leaning toward medium-dark roast, making it a great choice to bring back to Taiwan as gifts for family and friends. Why recommended: diverse flavors, affordable prices, and consistent quality Where to buy: supermarkets (Hypermart, Ranch Market) or Excelso stores Reference price: coffee beans 200g IDR 70,000–80,000

Ellips Hair Vitamin Capsules (Repurchase) A super popular Indonesian hair care oil brand, with adorable and practical colorful capsule packaging, featuring coconut oil and vitamin ingredients. Use it right after washing your hair to instantly smooth and soften your strands — perfect for dry hair or hair that's been dyed or permed. Why we recommend it: affordable and effective, pleasant fragrance, easy to carry around Where to buy: supermarkets, Guardian, Watsons and other drugstores

Indomie Instant Noodle Series (Repurchase) The king of Indonesian instant noodles — the stir-fried noodle series like "Mi Goreng" in original and spicy flavors are the classic representatives, and there are also soup noodle flavors like Soto and Rendang. The seasoning and sauce packets are special, making this a must-buy item for me every time. Why I recommend it: The texture is chewy and springy, and the flavors are rich and varied. Also, according to Indonesians, the ones bought in Indonesia taste different from the ones bought in Taiwan! Where to buy: Major supermarkets Reference Price: approximately IDR 3,000–4,000 (approximately NT$6–8) per package Monggo Chocolate (Recommended for First Purchase) A premium chocolate brand from Yogyakarta that expertly blends Indonesian cacao with local ingredients like durian and chili peppers, creating a truly unique flavor profile. The packaging design is also beautifully crafted. Reasons to Recommend: Distinctive flavor, perfect for gift-giving Where to Buy: Papaya supermarket, airport gift shops Reference price: approx. IDR 45,000–60,000 (approx. NT$90–120) per piece

Krakakoa Chocolate (First-time Purchase, Recommended) Another boutique chocolate brand focused on sustainable cacao, with a bittersweet flavor profile and options like chili and fruit flavors, perfect for friends who enjoy high-purity chocolate. Why we recommend it: Carefully sourced ingredients and strong design sense make it great for gifting Where to buy: Supermarkets, souvenir shops, or stores around Pos Bloc Reference price: Approx. IDR 50,000–70,000 (approx. NT$100–140)

Enaak Crispy Noodles (First-time purchase, recommended) Looks like small-packaged chicken-flavored instant noodles, ready to eat as soon as you open it — salty, savory, and moreish. Great to bring back to Taiwan as a snack. Also sold in large bundle packs at a cheap price. Why recommended: Lightweight and portable, salty and delicious, though it's also available in Taiwan Where to buy: Convenience stores like Indomaret, Alfamart Reference price: About IDR 1,500–2,000 (approx. NT$3–5) per pack Max Tea Indonesian Milk Tea (Purchased before, not this time) Instant teh tarik style, higher sweetness but with a noticeable aroma. I bought it once before and felt it was more of a tea-forward milk tea. Since I don't drink beverages that often, I didn't buy it again this time. Reason for recommendation: cheap, a representative Indonesian specialty drink Where to buy: supermarkets or convenience stores Reference price: about IDR 25,000 / 10 packs (about NT$50) Summary and suggestions Coffee, hair oil, and instant noodles are practical items I've repurchased many times — cheap and reliable. The chocolate and crispy noodles I tried this time were also satisfying, good in both taste and packaging. I'd recommend shopping mainly at large supermarkets (like Hypermart, Ranch Market, Papaya) so you can buy everything in one trip, since there's more variety and it's cheaper too. If time allows, you can also pick up some nicer-quality chocolate at the airport or Pos Bloc as gift options. Further reading | Everything you need for your Jakarta self-guided trip guide: Want to plan a fantastic trip to Jakarta? These three articles will help you eat well, play well, and shop well! 【Jakarta Independent Travel Guide】4-Day 3-Night Itinerary and Attraction Recommendations → 【Indonesia Independent Travel】Jakarta 4-Day 3-Night Itinerary Recommendations | Mosques, Cathedrals, Shopping, Food, and Nightlife All in One 【Jakarta Restaurant Recommendations】7 Popular Local Eateries → 【Jakarta Restaurant Recommendations】7 Popular Local Eateries | Chinese Cuisine, Indonesian Food, Desserts, and Hand-Brewed Coffee All in One 【Jakarta Shopping Recommendations】Popular Souvenirs and Shopping Malls Introduced → 【Must-Buy Jakarta Souvenirs】7 Practical Food Items You Should Grab | Coffee, Hair Oil, Instant Noodles, and Chocolate All Make the List 【Jakarta Independent Travel Guide】Everything You Need to Know About Pre-Trip Preparation, Transportation, Currency Exchange, and Getting Online! → 【Jakarta Independent Travel Guide】Everything You Need to Know About Pre-Trip Preparation, Transportation, Currency Exchange, and Getting Online!