Jakarta, especially the Betawi culture, is not only known for its traditional arts; it is also home to a variety of specialties. Besides heavy meals such as soto Betawi, don't miss out on Betawi cakes.
Some traditional cakes, such as kue ape and kue cucur, are guaranteed to be a favorite among all ages. Let's take a look at the list of Jakarta's traditional cakes in this article!
Jakarta's Traditional Food Recommendations
As an ethnic group in Jakarta, Betawi is well-regarded for its quirky customs and traditions, including beautiful cakes known for their simple ingredients. You can get these cakes easily in several places in Jakarta, such as traditional markets and traveling vendors around the streets.
However, before going around hunting these cakes, don't forget to fulfill your hydration needs with AQUA 600 ml.
AQUA is 100% pure mountain water with natural mineral content and no other added substances.
In the heat of Jakarta, AQUA water's cold sensation, even though it is not cooled, can refresh you. This is because AQUA comes from a protected source with strict natural mineral composition maintenance.
All these qualities make AQUA a suitable companion for Jakarta's traditional food hunt under the hot sun of Jakarta.
Once you get your AQUA 600, take a look at some recommendations for Jakarta's specialty cookies below:
1. Kue Geplak
The first specialty is geplak cake. This traditional Betawi pastry is made from slightly drier rice. This cake is made by refining drier rice into flour and then roasting it.
After roasting, the flour is then mixed with grated roasted coconut. When cooked, this cake will turn brownish-white in color. Its soft texture and delicious taste make this cake a suitable offer for bridal gifts.
2. Kue Cucur
Kue cucur is a favorite of all age groups, even apart from the Betawi people. This cake is often served with tea as a dessert.
Its chewy texture can make you crave more. The ingredients of this cake include rice flour, wheat flour, and brown sugar, making it taste legit and hard to forget. It's a must-try if you visit Jakarta.
3. Putu Mayang
Putu mayang is one of Betawi's signature wet cakes that comes in beautiful colors. It's made from starch or rice flour mixed with coconut milk and served with melted coconut sugar.
Another thing that makes putu mayang unique is that it resembles rolled noodles. The dough is shaped using a special mold with a small hole. As a result, it produces small, elongated strands.
4. Kue Ape
Kue ape is one of the Betawi specialty cakes mainly sold along the streets of Jakarta. It has a soft texture, which makes it favored by various groups. The distinct green cake usually gives off a pandan aroma and an appetizing sweet taste.
Nowadays, kue ape recipes add some innovations, including added cheese toppings, chocolate, pineapple jam, or banana slices. You can also easily find kue ape vendors on the streets of Jakarta.
5. Kue Leker
Many people may think kue leker is crepes, a famous cake from the Netherlands. It turns out that kue leker is indeed the Betawi people's take on crepes.
The word leker comes from the Dutch, which means delicious. Today, kue leker offers a variety of interesting flavors, such as chocolate, strawberry, cheese, green tea, and milk.
Kue leker is very easy to find in various places in Jakarta. Many cafes also include this cake on their menu.
6. Kue Dongkal
The next traditional Jakarta cake you can try is kue dongkal. Apart from the sweet taste, kue dongkal has a unique look, which is cone-shaped.
Kue dongkal is made from rice flour and palm sugar. The dough is steamed until properly cooked. Usually, it's served on a banana leaf with savory grated coconut toppings.
7. Kue Ongol-Ongol
Like other Betawi specialties, ongol-ongol is easily found at traditional Betawi events. Kue ongol-ongol is made from sago flour and palm sugar.
This specialty cake is often served with grated coconut sprinkled on top. The strong aroma of palm sugar makes this cake unique. It never fails to attract passersby or culinary adventurers.
8. Kue Rangi
If you like a wet cake, you can try kue rangi. It's made from sago flour that is baked with a mixture of grated coconut in the batter. Kue rangi has a special mold, and it is cooked on a small stove.
This cake is served with brown sugar on the top, adding refinement to its delicious taste.
9. Kue Pancong
This cake is a familiar delicacy to Indonesia's Gen Z. Kue pancong is made from rice flour, coconut milk, and grated coconut.
Traditionally, kue pancong is served with a sprinkle of granulated sugar or brown sugar spread. These days, many kue pancong sellers add various interesting toppings, such as green tea, chocolate, cheese, and milk.
Some also sell it half-baked, allowing the cake's texture to stay soft and melt in the mouth.
10. Kue Lumpur
The next must-try Betawi cake is kue lumpur, which literally means mud cake. This wet cake is made from a dough consisting of wheat flour, coconut milk, sugar, melted butter, and milk.
Kue lumpur is categorized as a wet cake, making its soft texture suitable for dessert.
Well, those are some of the famous traditional Jakarta foods you should try during your travels. While enjoying these specialties, don't forget to have #AQUADULU to quench your thirst amid the excitement.
Jakarta's hot weather tends to make you lose fluids more easily. Therefore, make sure you always have AQUA 600 ml ready to accompany your traditional food adventure in Jakarta.
AQUA 600 ml packaging is very practical to carry. It can easily open and close, effectively preventing the water from spilling. The size also fits well into your bag, allowing you to engage in Jakarta's traditional food adventures earnestly without disruption.
So, why do you need to AQUA FIRST? Not all water is AQUA. AQUA water is naturally filtered by layers of natural mineral-rich rocks. Its processes are untouched by human hands, with 400 stages of quality testing, before being delivered through the distribution network.
AQUA water comes from selected mountain springs that are protected through 9 selection criteria, 5 stages, and at least 1 year of research on more than 600 parameters.
AQUA is an original Indonesian product that has been certified Halal, BPOM, and SNI, making it safe for consumption. AQUA is 100% Pure, 100% Indonesian, and 100% Halal. So, don't forget to always bring AQUA bottles to accompany you and your family's journey while exploring Jakarta's traditional culture.

