Top Shopping Malls in Jakarta
When
planning a trip to Jakarta, consider spending a day at one of
the many
modern shopping malls the city has to offer. You may welcome a
day off
from tourist and cultural sites and enjoy spending time in
air-conditioned
comfort, where you can relax and shop without annoying hawkers.
There are 173 malls in the city to choose from! Therefore there are
choices
galore for shoppers!
If you've spent much time visiting outlying provinces or rural areas,
it will be quickly evident during a trip to the capital city that Jakarta
showcases the wealth of Indonesia. Skyscrapers, impressive monuments,
wide boulevards (albeit crowded) and large malls rival those of any major
world capital.
In traditional Indonesian society, open common areas in villages and
towns or the courtyard of the Sultan's palace have long been a place to
gather and spend late afternoon and evening hours. Small vendors set up
their wares, food carts gather and people stroll around meeting friends
and sharing gossip. Jakarta's shopping malls are a modern urban equivalent
of traditional meeting points – a place to shop, eat and gather
with friends and have some fun on the weekends.
Shopping in Jakarta takes many forms from the most traditional pasar
(markets) to glitzy world class malls with international designer shops.
Most expatriates shop most comfortably in malls and grocery stores without
the need to bargain or deal with curious stares. However, that is no reason
to avoid the more colorful traditional markets.
High Fashion Malls
International
fashion items may not be at the top of a tourist’s Jakarta
shopping
list, but expatriates may look at these shopping opportunities
differently!
If you enjoy window shopping and following fashion trends,
you'll enjoy
the fashion showcased at Plaza Indonesia, and Plaza Senayan,
Senayan
City, Grand Indonesia, Pacific Place, Mall of Indonesia, and
Pondok Indah 2. Shops offer the latest collections from the fashion
capitals of
the world – Milan, London, Paris and New York – to titillate
the fancy of well to do Indonesians and expatriates alike.
Prior to the opening of luxury malls, Indonesians had to shop in Singapore,
Europe or the U.S. to buy such well-known international brands as Bvlgari,
Prada, Cartier, Versace, Louis Vuitton, Bally, Aigner, Ferragamo, Hermes, Chanel, and Escada.
Now, these brands, and many more, are available in Jakarta.
Amongst Indonesia's emerging middle and upper classes international brand-consciousness
is strong. Discerning shoppers seek original goods, which these shops
can guarantee. Often, due to special sales or discounts, international
fashions may actually be cheaper in Jakarta than in other fashion centers.
If, indeed you are from a small town in your home country, you may find
better shopping in Jakarta than you do back home!
While fashion malls don't offer as many recreation opportunities as the
family-oriented malls, a big attraction is 'people watching' for the see-and-be-seen
crowd. The elegant marble, expansive open spaces and lofty atriums offer
a sense of luxury that is further enhanced by air conditioning, no-smoking policies, good
housekeeping, and security. According to some social analysts, malls have
replaced traditional town centers as locations for community interaction.
Indonesian Specialties
Several Malls feature “Indonesian Fashion Avenues”, a group
of Indonesia’s designer boutique stores, such as, Iwan Tirta,
Ramli, Anne Avantie, Obin, Biyan, Ghea, Sebastian, Ali Charisma,
Ferry Sunarto, Herman Nuary, Kisoon Harto, Poppy Dharsono,
Postour &
Co, Sofie, Talisa House. Plaza Senayan, Pacific Place, Grand
Indonesia and Plaza Indonesia feature the creations of these Indonesian
designers. These Indonesian designers offer
beautiful traditional dress as well as modern evening wear.
Don't expect
to find their creations in large sizes – small sizes only,
however most designers are willing to do one-of-a kind creations as
well. Fashion
from other Indonesian designers can be found in the mall's
department
stores and boutiques.
Take a dip into the world of traditional medicine at Toko Ampuh, a shop
in Plaza Indonesia's basement selling traditional Indonesian medicines
and potions from across Indonesia. You'll be greeted by the pungent smell
of balsem, healing rubs, as you enter the store. Nearby shops sell Ginseng
from Korea and delicious Oolong tea from Taiwan. Stop in for a taste test
and discover the medicinal properties of these popular drinks.
If you're traveling through Indonesia during holiday periods visit the
malls to see the beautiful decorations and special entertainment for Christmas,
Chinese New Year, Lebaran, School holidays (June-July), Independence Day (August 17th) and the mall's
anniversary.
Food Glorious Food …
… what more could you ask for! Remember the line to the song? One
of the major attractions at Jakarta malls is the numerous cafés,
restaurants and food courts. On some days eating seems to be the main
attraction, with shopping coming in second! From trendy restaurants offering
cuisine from around the world to cafés where coffee is king to
fast food fixes from home… you're sure to find something to please
your taste buds.
You
can try Indonesian food in almost every mall. If you looking for
a fast line or light snack, many mall food courts feature Indonesian
fare. If you would like to enjoy a more relaxed setting, restaurants
such as Bumbu Desa, Sari Ratu, Kafe Betawi, Sate Senayan, and Warung
Podjok have their own outlets within a number of malls. These
restaurants offer a variety of dishes from various areas of Indonesia.
You can eat your way through the
archipelago, even if you can't travel through more than a few
islands.
Jakarta malls and shopping centers offer a plethora coffee
shops for
enjoying a cup of coffee, a snack or small meal and some serious
people
watching ... from Starbucks to Coffee Bean, Excellso, J.Co, Kopi
Luwak, Tea Addict,and Bengawan Solo. All serve numerous flavored
coffees, teas, refreshing cold drink and light snacks. Business people
frequently scheduled afternoon meeting over a cup of coffee and the
young trendy be-and-be-seen crowds often hang out in the coffee shops
scattered throughout major malls.
Most malls contact at least one major supermarket for convenience of
shoppers which offer a variety of imported European, American and Australian
food and beverages.
Family Malls
If you're not into high fashion or trendy hangouts, you could spend an
enjoyable day at Taman Anggrek, Pacific Place, Mall of Indonesia or Pondok Indah Mall I, are some
of the most popular family-oriented malls. The focus is on recreation
and family fun in addition to a wide range of shops and services or one-stop
shopping to meet the needs of the family.
Taman Anggrek is a prominent landmark
on the toll road into Jakarta from the airport due to the 8 distinctive
blue-topped apartment towers crowning the 7-floor shopping mall. The interior
is a marvel of space, light and marble – and serious noise levels
on the weekend. The indoor ice skating rink and movie theatres are a very
popular attraction. Travelers will find a place to get their hair cut,
buy medicine or toiletries at the drug store, get money exchanged at a
bank or withdraw funds from an ATM, eat a meal, enjoy a relaxing cup of
coffee and of course – shop!
Dapur Anggrek food court at Taman Anggrek offers hundreds of traditional
regional specialties - pempek from Palembang, South Sumatra (fish balls),
27 kinds of sate at Aneka Sate Djitoe, and fried rice and noodle dishes
galore. The truly adventurous can even try goat testicles (torpedo) at
Sop Kaki Kambing.
Pondok Indah Mall is a popular family mall in suburban South Jakarta.
With the addition of Pondok Indah Mall II it has doubled it's shopping
area and added many new attractions to the mall. The adjacent Water Park, golf course in the near vicinity,
and Climbing Wall next door make it a popular weekend destination. The mall offers a
good variety of shops and services, but no handicrafts.
Pacific Place host one of the most popular kids’s attraction,
Kidzania. Kidzania is a unique edutaiment center for children between 4
to 16 years old and their parents.
It is a kid-sized replica of a real city, with streets,
buildings, retail and different vehicles going around the City. The
children play adult roles and they learn how to be a doctor, a pilot, a
construction worker, a private detective, an archeologist, an F1
driver and over 100 other professions and occupations. There is a
replica of the most representative buildings in a city such as
Hospital, Supermarket, Beauty Salon, Theatre, Industrial sites, and many
more. Kidzania is open from 9.00am until 2.00pm for the first session.
The second session begins at 3.00pm until 8.00pm. Next door to
Kidzania is Blitz Megaplex. Blitz Megaplex is one of the two major
theatres in Jakarta which screen most major Hollywood releases as well
as popular film from other neighboring Asian countries. Their state of
the art theatre also screens 3D movies giving their visitors a great
movies experience
If you're traveling with your children, almost all malls have
some sort of activities to amuse them. Kids Fun, a small amusement park
for younger children, short train ride around the mall, numerous
climbing frames, video arcades are just a few activities that will keep
your children occupied. For older children seeking thrills, check out
the Atmosphere Slide at FX mall which spans six floors. Don’t worry
about them being bored.
Best Time to Shop
The best time to shop at Jakarta malls is during the week, soon after
the mall opens at 10:00am. Most daytime shoppers are housewives, who begin
bringing their children as schools let out mid-day. By late afternoon
the malls are bustling with the after-school teen crowd and young professionals
who begin showing up after office hours.
Hanging out at malls is part of the affluent Indonesian teens' lifestyle.
They have "acronym names" for their favorite malls -- tay ahh
(TA) for Taman Anggrek and pay ess (PS) for Plaza Senayan, citos (pronounced cheetos)
for Cilandak Town Square, Sensee for Senayan City, and Pim for Pondok Indah Mall (all reflecting
the Indonesian pronunciation of the letters in the acronym).
Weekends see a literal flood of families into malls; visitors average
20,000 at Plaza Indonesia, 40,000 at Plaza Senayan, 100,000 at Taman Anggrek
and 40,000 at Pondok Indah Mall.
Getting there
If you’re a visitor to Jakarta, take a taxi from your hotel to
the mall and you can return by taxi from the mall's taxi stand. During
late afternoon rush hour it may take some time to get a taxi,
depending on the day and weather conditions. Rain will always make
getting a taxi difficult. Alternately, you can ask your Silver Bird or
Blue Bird taxi from your hotel to wait for you while you shop.
Those traveling in private cars can call your driver from the parking
garage via the Car Call near the mall's entrances. Be sure you know your
driver's name or other identification to call him to the front the pick
you up.
Enjoy a great shopping adventure … at one of Jakarta's premier
malls.
Locations of Jakarta's Top Malls
Senayan City
Jl. Asia Afrika Lot 19
Senayan, Jakarta 10270
Tel (62-21) 723-7979
Must Sees:
- One of Jakarta's most complete collection of designer shops
- Studio XXI offering a Premiere lounge and movie theatre
- Extensive food court and restaurant selection throughout the mall
- Extensive collection of opulent jewelry stores
- Crystal Lagoon offering late night dining until 12:00am
Plaza Indonesia
Jl. M.H. Thamrin Kav. 28-30
Central Jakarta 10350
Tel (62-21) 310-7272, 390-3728
Must Sees:
- House of Obin – 3rd floor
- Butik Iwan Tirta – 3rd floor
- Batik Keris showroom - 1st floor
- Aksara Bookstore – EX Extension 4th floor
- Finna traditional snacks - basement
- Toko Ampuh - Indonesian traditional medicines - basement
- Indonesian food - Sari Ratu - basement
Plaza Senayan
Gelora Bung Karno
Jl. Asia Afrika No. 8
Senayan, Central Jakarta 10270
Tel. (62-21) 572-5555
Must sees:
- Biyan and Sebastian's - Indonesian designers -1st floor
- Kinokuniya book store -5th floor Sogo. Outstanding selection of English
and Japanese books.
- Indonesian food - Spice Garden or Sari Ratu - basement
- Marrygold Clock in the atrium. Every hour on the hour the Seiko clock
opens up and visitors are serenaded by a 6-figure orchestra.
- Bowling Alley - 5th floor
- Studio 21 Theater – 5th floor
Mal Taman Anggrek
Jl. Letjen S. Parman Kav. 21
Slipi, West Jakarta 11470
Tel. (62-21) 560-9964
Must sees:
- Sky Rink - ice skating rink - 3rd floor and 4th floor viewing balcony
- Indonesian food - Dapur Anggrek Food Court - 4th floor
- Batik Danar Hadi, Batik Keris and Batik Semar
- Refresh your aching feet with a foot reflexology treatment at Oriental
Reflexiologi in the basement near Hero
Pondok Indah Mall
Jl. Metro Pondok Indah Kav. IIIB
Pondok Indah, South Jakarta 12310
Tel. (62-21) 750-6750
Must sees:
- Biyan Boutique - Indonesian designer - ground floor
- Royal Selangor - pewter handicrafts - ground floor
- Pondok Indah Water Park - south side of mall
- Pondok Indah Climbing Wall - outside exit near Times Bookshop
- Indonesian food - Bakmi Gajah Mada and Dermaga food court - 3rd floor
- Restaurant Row – 3rd floor
Pacific Place
Jl. Jend. Sudirman Kav. 52 - 53
Sudirman Central Business District
Jakarta 12190
Tel. (+62 21) 515-2299, 514-00440
Fax (+62 21) 514-00988
Must sees:
- Kidzania – 6th floor
- Blits Megaplex – 6th floor
- Pacific Bay Food Court – 5th floor
- Kem Chicks – basement
Grand Indonesia
Jl. M.H. Thamrin No. 1
Jakarta, Indonesia
Must sees:
- Crossroads of the World food court – floor 3 A
- Dancing Fountain – floor 3 A
- Times Bookstore
- Alun Alun Indonesia - store showcasing Indonesian products and handicrafts
- Allure Batik
- Magnum cafe - 6th floor
Popular Malls/Destinations in Indonesia quickly acquire an acronym which is commonly used to refer to the mall:
Plangi = Plaza Semanggi (a shopping mall in Semanggi, South Jakarta)
Pasfes = Pasar Festival (a mall next to Apartemen Rasuna Said, Kuningan, South Jakarta)
PIM = Pondok Indah Mall
Sency = Senayan City
PS = Plaza Senayan
