Where to find Western groceries in Jakarta?

[J__]

Which grocery stores sell Western style groceries? Thank you.

 

[Ruserious]

the best for me is Grand Lucky in SCBD or Kemchicks in Pacific Place basement.

 

[J__]

the best for me is Grand Lucky in SCBD or Kemchicks in Pacific Place basement.

Thank you. How expensive are Western groceries in Jakarta? I remember when I was in Thailand a month ago, whenever I would go to gas stations and coffee shops in Bangkok, I was astonished by just how incredibly cheap everything was. Compared to the USA, it seemed like paradise.

Are prices comparable to Thailand?

 

[Jaime C]

Imported stuff is expensive. The cost depends on the rarity. My wife picked up a couple of 12 ounce cans of US Dr Pepper this week. The cost was 27k per can.

A jar of Tostitos salsa is about double here.

 

[Ruserious]

Grand Lucky is a bit closer to a cash and carry with more bulk items (no where near cosco standard though).
Kemchicks Pacific Place is more boutique, i guess trying to be a bit like a whole foods but smaller. It does have the regular items too though.

 

[IndoTom]

It depends of the area of Jakarta. Which part are you living or planning to live in? Also what type of item specifically are you looking for?

 

[Helpful Herbert]

A small Twix in KemChiks is 60,000 Rp ! Which is about 3-4x more expensive than in Western countries. Same for Skittles.

 

[IndoTom]

Western branded snacks are definitely priced at a premium. But their local equivalent is cheap. Just learn to adapt and discover the local asian brands. For example, Pringles potato chips here are expensive but the local equivalent brand "Mr. Potato" is just fine and cheap. Less than $1 with the same style round can.

 

[Hawk256]

Western branded snacks are definitely priced at a premium. But their local equivalent is cheap. Just learn to adapt and discover the local asian brands. For example, Pringles potato chips here are expensive but the local equivalent brand "Mr. Potato" is just fine and cheap. Less than $1 with the same style round can.

There are also 2 different types of Pringles available. What I assume are the ones for local distribution at ~22,000 per can or obvious imports for closer to 80,000 per can. The 22,000 ones taste exactly the same to me.

 

[Shadrach]

There are also 2 different types of Pringles available. What I assume are the ones for local distribution at ~22,000 per can or obvious imports for closer to 80,000 per can. The 22,000 ones taste exactly the same to me.

I always wonder how they find potatoes all the same shape, to fit in those cans?

 

[Jaime C]

There are also 2 different types of Pringles available. What I assume are the ones for local distribution at ~22,000 per can or obvious imports for closer to 80,000 per can. The 22,000 ones taste exactly the same to me.

I think local Pringles are produced in Malaysia. I eat them pretty regularly. Normal pricing is 15-22k a can, for around a 100 gram can. They have BOGO offers or an extra 30-40 gram packages fairly regularly.

I’ve tried Mr Potato a few times, and they didn’t measure up.

My US favorites are Kettle brand Jalapeno chips.

 

[centurion]

I always wonder how they find potatoes all the same shape, to fit in those cans?

They are only 50% potatoes, made from potatom compound.

 

[Shadrach]

They are only 50% potatoes, made from potatom compound.

And probably a list of chemicals, food coloring, MSG, and additives, impossible to pronounce, covering half the can! And what is Potatom? Sounds Scary to me!

 

[centurion]

And probably a list of chemicals, food coloring, MSG, and additives, impossible to pronounce, covering half the can! And what is Potatom? Sounds Scary to me!

Potato

 

[gemima]

Like everyone has said you can get western stuff in Grand lucky or Kem chicks. If you fill your trolley with stuff from home its going to be more expensive than it is at home becuase that stuff is imported into indonesia with import taxes slapped on everything. You can likely find local alternatives but they are likely to be modified to local taste (sweeter and more MSG usually).
I actually find myself doing a lot of shopping online/ via whatsapp direct with suppliers (I buy my veg from a farmer in Bogor via whatsapp, I buy my bread from a guy who bakes sourdough in his kitchen weekly and I buy stuff from online stores on Tokopedia (tahini/ olive oil/ non-perishable items - you can usually find better brands/ cheaper on there compared to the supermarkets - be careful tho as there are some scam items for sale). It's taken me years to build up a network of suppliers I buy quality items from so dont be discouraged if the stuff in the supermarkets disappoints you.

 

[Jaime C]

Like everyone has said you can get western stuff in Grand lucky or Kem chicks. If you fill your trolley with stuff from home its going to be more expensive than it is at home becuase that stuff is imported into indonesia with import taxes slapped on everything. You can likely find local alternatives but they are likely to be modified to local taste (sweeter and more MSG usually).
I actually find myself doing a lot of shopping online/ via whatsapp direct with suppliers (I buy my veg from a farmer in Bogor via whatsapp, I buy my bread from a guy who bakes sourdough in his kitchen weekly and I buy stuff from online stores on Tokopedia (tahini/ olive oil/ non-perishable items - you can usually find better brands/ cheaper on there compared to the supermarkets - be careful tho as there are some scam items for sale). It's taken me years to build up a network of suppliers I buy quality items from so dont be discouraged if the stuff in the supermarkets disappoints you.

Whats the name of your sourdough guy?

 

[gemima]

Whats the name of your sourdough guy?

He sells his bread in the American club store - you can also purchase via whatsapp or on instagram (see flyer attached). He doesn't cook every week but sends out a message on a baking week monday to collect orders offering a few different loaves.
It's not a profit making enterprise - he works with a local woman to bake who he is supporting/ training, she is paid and the ingredients are covered and whatever profit exists goes to charity.

 

[Jaime C]

Sounds interesting. Maybe I’ll get some before I head back to Bandung next month

 

[Bad_azz]

Whats the name of your sourdough guy?

Hi JC, Setiabudhi supermarket has really good sourdough bread- the trick is catching it when fresh baked there.

 

[Jaime C]

Went to Grand Indonesia mall in Jakarta for the first time in 7-8 years. Was perusing the Food Hall supermarket there, and they had many more imported items than their location in Bintaro.

They had USA imported Pringles, 158 gram (5.5 ounces) cans, in some limited edition flavors. Price was 122,900 IDR each. Ouch.

They did small bags of fried pork skins, and a number of Babi ramen flavors.