Kepiting Asap

A trip would not be the same without tasting the local food, and it's the same in Jakarta nevertheless.

One of the unique Indonesian food I tried is this called Kepiting Asap (smoked crab/ bbq crab).

This was introduced by one of our local Indonesian friend. It was quite a long journey from central Jakarta to West Jakarta (Jakarta Barat).

But I knew he must be bringing us to a good restaurant because the whole area is packed with vehicles! There was a jam in this long street area of restaurants.


The crawl


Can you see the smoke - it comes from the restaurant cooking the kepiting!

Along the streets there are a few Kepiting Asap restaurants. But we were invited to go to this one which is the most packed, even from the outside:


The outside of the restaurant

Interestingly, the kitchen is at the front of the restaurant as well - usually beside the entrance.


All the live crab waiting to be cooked.


The workers arranging the live crabs... with one trying to escape!

Customers are given the option to choose their live food fresh from the aquariums.


One of the workers trying to catch the live baby shark.


Next, to weigh the chosen catch of the day.

And while there, customers can peek into the open kitchen.


Just look at the asap! (smoke)

Well, the final thing is to have the food... a short wait and the food is being served.

First, the 'side dishes'.


The bbq baby shark.


The sotong (squid)


The big prawns

We also had kangkung, and with rice.

And the big catch of the day...


The kepiting all wrapped up in banana leaf


The cooked bbq crab

But really the best of the best is the kepiting telur (crab with eggs)! Delicious!


The main dish the restaurant is most famous for.

I found the food a lil overcooked, but nevertheless, delicious with strong & rich ingredients. Lucky me to have tried this Indonesian food thanks to our Indonesian friend! :)