What Expats Miss from Home in Jakarta: Shopping and Food Guide

Introduction

Jakarta is an exciting and vibrant city, but those moving from abroad soon realize that certain food and shopping habits are harder to replace in the new environment. This is especially important for those planning to stay longer or looking for property where convenience services, proximity, and accessibility also matter.

What Is Most Often Missed from Home?

1) Wide Selection of International Foods

Many expats miss: European or American-style bread and baked goods, selection of cheeses, cold cuts, and dairy products, healthy, organic, or special dietary products (e.g., gluten-free, lactose-free). Although Jakarta's large supermarkets increasingly carry imported items, not everywhere offers stable, wide selection.

2) Fresh, Easily Accessible Organic Products

Finding fresh, seasonal, and organic ingredients can be a challenge from an expat perspective. While local markets offer excellent products, those accustomed to organic shops and farms often prefer modern, well-organized shopping places.

3) Known International Brands

Certain international food and beverage brands are not available in every local store: favorite snacks, specialty coffees and teas, ingredients for international cuisines. This is especially noticeable for those who regularly consume specialty or niche products.

Where to Shop in Jakarta?

Larger International Supermarket Chains

The city has several well-equipped hypermarkets where: wider selection of imported products is available, you can more easily access specialty foods, you often find expat-friendly shelves and international sections. These stores can be useful both for longer stays and maintaining consumption habits.

Local Markets and Small Shops

At local markets and small stores you'll find: fresh, seasonal fruits and vegetables, local delicacies and spices, cheaper daily necessities. These are great alternatives if you're looking for more economical and authentic shopping experience.

Specialty Shops and Organic Stores

Jakarta has an increasing number of stores that: offer bio and healthy products, provide dietary, vegetarian, or vegan options, distribute small business and local products. These can be particularly valuable for those pursuing conscious lifestyles or health-optimized diets.

From Investment Perspective – Why Does This Matter?

This shopping dynamics is not just cultural interest—it's also relevant from an investment perspective: demand for retail spaces and services may grow if expat community expands, it can also improve surrounding property values if they're close to services that meet expats' needs, premium grocery stores and expat-friendly shops can bring better traffic and stable tenant base.

Summary

Living in Jakarta comes with many advantages, but expats often miss the food and shopping opportunities they're used to at home. The city's offerings are constantly expanding, but it's still worth consciously searching for international, local, and specialized stores if you're planning to stay longer. From an investment perspective, these services can be value-enhancing factors in a property's environment.