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It seems one way or another, almost everyone finds themselves in South Jakarta’s Blok M. But it’s not just the neighborhood’s bustling vibes and unique shops pulling in the crowds—it’s the food spots that have gone viral on social media.
With cafes serving the latest twists on everything from burgers to cheesecakes, donuts, tiramisu and ice cream, Blok M has become a magnet for foodies chasing the latest trends. People line up, sometimes for hours, often under the scorching Jakarta sun, to try the treats trending on Instagram or TikTok.
But are they actually any good, or just social media hype?
Little Salt Bread
At noon on a recent Saturday, I arrived at Little Salt Bread, where my best friend had already been waiting in line for 15 minutes. As we inched toward the minimalist bakery, the aroma of herbaceous butter and freshly baked bread grew stronger.
When we finally reached the counter, we ordered the plain salt bread and the best-selling garlic variation, though the chocolate kinako (roasted soybean) looked delicious. We also grabbed the signature Sweet Japanese Iced Coffee, layered with thick cream.
It was simple and straightforward: fluffy Korean-style bread with a slightly crispy exterior and a buttered center.
What's all the fuss about? Honestly, we’re not sure.
Despite the bread being baked that morning, the high demand meant larger batches, so our order wasn’t as warm or toasty as we’d hoped. The butter had already soaked into the soft bread, making it a bit soggy. And, despite the visible amount of garlic and butter, the flavor was not as intense as I’d expected.
The sweet coffee was flat and watery, typical of Japanese-style iced coffee. A stronger-bodied coffee would have paired better with the thick cream.
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We were mildly disappointed, but that’s okay. Maybe it just wasn’t our day.
Busy Cheese
Next door was Busy Cheese, also owned by Little Salt Bread.
The name reflects the condition: busy, with a long line. For a moment, it was nice to see people trying to enjoy a hot day with their loved ones, excited for a sweet treat.
After waiting for 45 minutes, we ordered the classic cheesecake and an iced Americano.
The Basque-style cheesecake was oven-baked with a gooey center and a slightly caramelized top. Served cold, it maintained its creamy texture and allowed the aromatic vanilla beans to shine through.
It was decadent, almost fluffy. But I felt it could have used a touch of acidity to balance out its richness. Thankfully, we had coffee to help with that.
Would I come back for more? With such long lines, probably not, even though it did satisfy my craving.
Maiku Cafe
Our next stop was just around the block: Maiku Cafe in Little Tokyo. Since opening a few months ago, the tiramisu spot has gone viral, with many claiming to have had to line up for hours.
We got our number around 4 p.m. and got a table about 85 minutes later.
The cafe offers a beautiful selection of tiramisu varieties: strawberry matcha, green tea jasmine, Earl Grey, lemon, blueberry, black forest and pistachio. Every flavor looked intriguing, but a classic slice was our benchmark.
The moment my spoon dug in, I noticed how light the cake was. Like any good tiramisu, the ladyfingers were drenched in coffee. It was fragrant with a velvety mascarpone-cream blend. Instead of the usual custardy tiramisu, this modern take, I thought, was more suited for the Indonesian palate.
With its “not-too-sweet” taste, this dessert made it onto my top-tier list. Plus, it’s safe for everyone, as it doesn’t contain liquor.
Read also: Waves, Wi-Fi and work: Into the Nomadland of Canggu But what stole the spotlight for me was the osmanthus pear green tea. Aromatic and fruity, it had a bright, refreshing flavor. It may not be the best pairing for a tiramisu, but it would probably go well with the other varieties.
As enjoyable as our orders were, though, I still don’t see why one should wait so long for a slice of tiramisu. I’d opt to visit their takeaway-only branches instead.
Go-to spot
If waiting, or desserts, or waiting for desserts is not really your thing, then I recommend you try Yuki in Little Tokyo. Although famous for its aburi yukhoe (torched beef sashimi), the dish that changed my life was its beef somen.
A big comforting bowl of noodles can make life feel worth living at times. The broth is unlike any other — rich, complex and thick from the noodle’s starch — like inhaling a refreshing stream of velvet.
Places like this remind me that Blok M is alright, and will remain alright for a long time.
Even the occasional long line is alright — but only with a bottle of water, an umbrella, a fan and, more importantly, the right company.
After all, what is life if we don't savor not just the food, but the company we share it with?
