22.01.2026

What to Buy in Jakarta | 9 Authentic & Budget-Friendly Souvenirs

Image Source: Detik

Navigating the sprawling metropolis of Jakarta is an adventure, and finding the perfect souvenir from Jakarta can feel overwhelming. Forget generic keychains. This guide cuts through the noise, giving you the authentic, meaningful, and surprisingly affordable things on what to buy in Jakarta that locals love and travellers treasure. Let's transform your shopping from stressful to stellar.

9 Authentic Things to Buy in Jakarta for Every Traveller

These best souvenirs from Jakarta offer a tangible piece of Indonesian culture to bring home.

1. Batik: The Quintessential Indonesian Fabric

Image Source: Kompas

Best for: Culture enthusiasts, fashion lovers, home decor shoppers.
When considering what to buy in Jakarta as a gift, batik should be your first stop. More than just cloth, batik is a UNESCO-recognized Indonesian heritage art form using a intricate wax-resist dyeing technique.

What to Look For: Don't just buy any printed textile. Authentic batik has a pattern that is visible on both sides of the fabric. Look for intricate patterns like parang (dagger) or kawung (palm circles).
What to Buy: Go beyond the classic sarong. Modern designers create stunning batik blouses, men's shirts, scarves, tote bags, and even framed artwork.
Where to Buy: For quality and variety, head to Sarindo or the batik sections in Pasaraya Grande in Blok M. For higher-end designer pieces, explore Batik Keris or Batik Tulis shops in upscale malls like Plaza Indonesia.

2. Indonesian Coffee Beans: A Taste of the Archipelago

Image Source: Kompas

Best for: Coffee connoisseurs, foodie friends, morning ritualists.
Indonesia is a coffee giant, and Jakarta souvenir shopping isn't complete without its world-class beans. The aroma alone will transport you back to a Jakarta café.

Popular Varieties: Look for smooth Java Arabica, earthy Sumatra Mandheling, or the unique, civet-processed Kopi Luwak (ensure it's ethically sourced!).
Shopping Tip: Buy whole beans and have them freshly ground at the shop for the best flavour longevity.
Where to Buy: Skip the supermarket for the good stuff. Visit specialty roasters like Anomali Coffee (multiple locations), Giyanti Coffee Roastery, or Tanamera Coffee. They often offer tasting notes and brewing advice.

3. Rattan & Weaved Crafts: Stylish and Sustainable

Image Source: Kompas

Best for: Eco-conscious shoppers, boho-style lovers, practical buyers.
Jakarta's rattan bags and baskets have taken the global fashion scene by storm for good reason. They're durable, lightweight, and incredibly stylish.

Must-Buy Items: The classic round "teddy" bag, laptop sleeves, picnic baskets, and decorative storage boxes.
Why It's Great: It’s a sustainable, natural material supporting local artisans. These items are both popular Jakarta souvenirs and functional pieces you'll use daily.
Where to Buy: Street vendors in tourist areas have them, but for better quality and variety, check out Pasaraya Grande or chic lifestyle stores in Kemang.

4. Traditional Snacks & Sweets: A Treat for the Taste Buds

Image Source: Kompas

Best for: Foodies, office gift-givers, anyone with a sweet tooth.
Forget expensive chocolates. Bring home the flavours of Indonesia with its vast array of traditional Jakarta snacks.

Savory Picks: Krupuk (cassava or shrimp crackers) in various shapes and flavours. Look for Emping (melinjo nut crackers) for a bitter, crunchy taste.
Sweet Picks: Dodol Betawi (a sticky, chewy toffee-like sweet), Kue Pancong (coconut rice cake) if you can eat it fresh, or Biji Ketapang (puff pastry snacks).
Pro Tip: Buy pre-packaged, sealed versions from supermarkets like Ranch Market or Food Hall for guaranteed freshness during travel.

5. Wooden Carvings & Handicrafts: Artistic Soul of Indonesia

Best for: Home decorators, art collectors, those seeking meaningful decor.
From unique Jepara teakwood furniture to small, intricate handicrafts from Jakarta, Indonesian woodwork is renowned for its detail.

What to Find: Furniture, Jewellery boxes, Decorative bowls, ect.
Key Consideration: Check wood type and finishing. Solid teak or mahogany with smooth, detailed carving indicates quality.
Where to Buy: Pasar Seni Ancol is the best one-stop market. For furniture, the Jepara district (outside Jakarta) is famous, but many showrooms operate in the city.

6. Jewellery & Silverware: Modern Takes on Tradition

Image Source: Antara

Best for: Accessory lovers, gift-seekers, silver collectors.
Jakarta's jewellery scene blends traditional tribal motifs with contemporary design, often at fantastic prices compared to the West.

Specialty Stones: Visit Rawa Bening Market in East Jakarta for loose gemstones like sapphire, amethyst, and garnet. You can have them set on-site.
Silver Specialties: The Kota Gede area in Yogyakarta is Indonesia's silver capital, but Jakarta boutiques sell beautiful sterling silver jewellery featuring filigree work.
Shopping Advice: For silver, always look for a ".925" stamp to ensure authenticity.

7. Aromatic Essentials: Incense & Essential Oils

Image Source: Kompas

Best for: Wellness enthusiasts, spa lovers, those seeking home serenity.
Bring the calming, exotic scents of the islands into your home. Indonesian essential oils like frangipani (kamboja), sandalwood, and clove are deeply aromatic.

Popular Items: Packaged incense sticks (stik hio), natural oil blends for diffusers, and traditional "boreh" body scrub mixes.
The Experience: Using these scents is a direct sensory link back to the spas and natural beauty of Indonesia.
Where to Buy: Look in Pasaraya Grande's traditional section or in Dragonfly stores for curated, high-quality options.

8. Homegrown Fashion Brands: Wearable Jakarta Cool

Best for: Fashion-forward travellers, supporters of local design.
Move beyond fast fashion. Jakarta has a vibrant local fashion scene where designers experiment with traditional textiles in modern cuts.

What's Trending: Flowlin linen pants, batik-print modern dresses, hand-embroidered kurtas, and minimalist leather sandals.
Why Buy: You get unique, high-quality pieces that tell a story. It's one of the best things to buy in Jakarta for yourself.
Where to Shop: Explore boutiques in the trendy Kemang neighborhood, Plaza Indonesia's local designer floors, or Pacific Place Mall.

9. Practical & Cute: Pouches and Coin Purses

Best for: Last-minute gift buyers, practical shoppers, accessory collectors.
Small, affordable, and utterly useful, these colourful pouches from Jakarta are a fail-safe purchase. Made from batik, sequins, or woven fabric, they're perfect for organising everything from makeup to coins to earphones.

The Appeal: They're lightweight, pack flat, and make fantastic "little extras" to add to gifts for friends, colleagues, or kids.
Best Find: Look for ones with intricate beadwork or songket (woven with gold/silver thread) patterns for something extra special.
Where to Buy: Nearly everywhere! Mangga Dua market for bulk/bargains, or lifestyle stores like Chic Mart for curated designs.

Jakarta Souvenir Shopping FAQ & Practical Tips

What are the typical souvenirs of Jakarta?
The most typical cinderamata khas Jakarta are Batik (especially Betawi-style designs), Dodol Betawi (traditional sweet), Krupuk (crackers), and miniature icons of the National Monument (Monas). The items listed in this guide are the modern classics loved by travellers.

What things are synonymous with Jakarta?
Jakarta is instantly identified by its skyline dominated by the Monas, its bustling street food culture (like Soto Betawi and Kerak Telor), the historic Kota Tua district, and its endless traffic jams ("macet"). Your souvenirs should reflect this blend of modern energy and Betawi tradition.

If I only have 1 day in Jakarta, where should I go?
Maximize a single day by focusing on one area:

Morning: Explore Kota Tua (Old Town) for history and photo ops at Fatahillah Square.
Lunch: Eat authentic Betawi food at a local rumah makan.
Afternoon: Go souvenir shopping at Pasar Seni Ancol (Ancol Art Market). It's the best one-stop shop for most items on this list, from batik to woodcarvings.
Evening: Watch the sunset and see the city lights from the top of Monas or from a rooftop bar in SCBD.

Pro Shopping Tip: Want to hit multiple, spread-out markets and malls in one day without the stress of "macet" (traffic)? The most efficient way is with your own private transport.

Shop Stress-Free: Explore Jakarta with Your Own Wheels

Ticking off your what to buy in Jakarta list means hopping from markets in South Jakarta to boutiques in Menteng and cultural hubs in North Jakarta. Public transport can be confusing and taxis add up.

Make your souvenir hunt an adventure, not a chore. Rent a car with WAHDAH for the ultimate flexible Jakarta experience.

Unlimited Mileage: Drive from Pasaraya Grande to Pasar Seni Ancol and beyond without worrying about distance costs.
Flexible Pickup/Drop-off: Get the car delivered to your hotel in South Jakarta and return it at the airport. Simple.
Local Support: Got a question? Our local team is just a call away.
Well-Maintained, Comfortable Vehicles: Navigate the city in a reliable, clean, and air-conditioned car.