[Jakarta Must-Buy Souvenir Recommendations] 7 Practical Food Items Worth Getting — Coffee, Hair Oil, Instant Noodles, and Chocolate All Make the List

Besides itineraries 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 finds from my two trips to Jakarta—items I actually bought, repurchased, or would recommend—ranging from Indonesian specialty coffee and popular skincare products to snacks and instant noodles. They're great for personal use, and also perfect as souvenirs for friends!

Excelso Coffee Beans & Drip Bags (Repurchase) Excelso is an Indonesian local coffee brand, sharing its name with the coffee shop chain, selling various Indonesian coffee varieties like Toraja and Mandheling, and also offering small drip-bag packs. The flavor is rich and leans toward medium-dark roast, making it great to bring back to Taiwan as gifts for family and friends. Why we recommend it: Diverse flavors, affordable prices, stable quality Where to buy: Supermarkets (Hypermart, Ranch Market) or Excelso stores Reference price: Coffee beans 200g IDR 70,000–80,000

Ellips Hair Oil Capsules (Repurchase) A super popular hair oil brand from Indonesia, with colorful capsule packaging that's adorable and practical. It features coconut oil and vitamin ingredients — use it after washing your hair for instantly smooth, silky strands. Perfect for dry hair or hair damaged by dyeing/perming. Why we recommend it: cheap and effective, pleasant scent, easy to carry Where to buy: supermarkets, Guardian, Watsons, and other drugstores

Indomie Instant Noodle Series (Repurchase) The king of Indonesian instant noodles — the 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 spices and sauce packets are especially unique, making it an item I must buy every time. Why I recommend it: Chewy, springy texture and rich flavors. Also, according to Indonesians, the ones bought in Indonesia taste different from the ones bought in Taiwan! Where to buy: Major supermarkets Reference price: approx. IDR 3,000–4,000 (approx. NT$6–8) / pack Monggo Chocolate (first-time purchase, recommended) A boutique chocolate brand from Yogyakarta, focusing on the combination of Indonesian cocoa with local ingredients such as durian and chili, giving it a unique flavor. The packaging is also very well designed. Why recommended: distinctive flavor, great for gifting Where to buy: Papaya supermarket, airport souvenir shops Reference price: approx. IDR 45,000–60,000 (approx. NT$90–120) / piece

Krakakoa Chocolate (Recommended for First Purchase) Another niche chocolate brand focusing on sustainable cocoa, with a bitter-sweet flavor profile and options for chili and fruit flavors, perfect for friends who love high-purity chocolate. Reasons for Recommendation: The ingredients are carefully selected, strong design aesthetic, very suitable for gift-giving Where to Buy: Supermarkets, souvenir shops, or stores around Pos Bloc Reference Price: Approximately IDR 50,000–70,000 (approximately NT$100–140)

Enaak Crispy Noodles (First-time purchase, recommended) Looks like a small pack of chicken-flavored instant noodles — open it up and eat right away, savory and moreish, great to bring back to Taiwan as a snack. Also sold in bulk multi-packs at a cheaper price. Why recommended: light and portable, savory 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 (bought before, not purchased 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-heavy 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 all practical items I've repurchased many times—cheap and reliable. The chocolate and crispy noodles I tried for the first time this trip were also satisfying, great in both flavor and packaging. I'd suggest doing most of your shopping at large supermarkets (like Hypermart, Ranch Market, Papaya) in one go, since there's more variety and it's cheaper too. If time allows, you can also pick up some nicer-quality chocolates at the airport or Pos Bloc as gift options. 延伸閱讀｜Everything You Need for Your Jakarta Independent Travel Guide in One Place: Planning a rich trip to Jakarta? These three articles will help you eat well, play well, and shop well! 【Jakarta Free & Easy Travel Guide】Four Days Three Nights Itinerary and Attraction Recommendations → 【Indonesia Free & Easy Travel】Jakarta Four Days Three Nights 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, Ice Desserts and Pour-Over Coffee All in One 【Jakarta Shopping Recommendations】Popular Souvenirs and Shopping Mall Introduction → 【Jakarta Must-Buy Souvenirs Recommendations】7 Practical Food Items｜Coffee, Hair Oil, Instant Noodles and Chocolate All Make the List 【Jakarta Self-Guided Trip Guide】Pre-Trip Preparation × Transportation × Currency Exchange and Internet Access Tips All in One！→ 【Jakarta Self-Guided Trip Guide】Pre-Trip Preparation × Transportation × Currency Exchange and Internet Access Tips All in One！