I first heard about the best goat skewers in Kampung Melayu from my aunt, who loves food hunting. Unfortunately, I never had the chance to visit because I rarely had errands in that area. But now that I work near Senen, I occasionally catch a TransJakarta bus that stops at the Kampung Melayu terminal. That’s how I finally got the chance to visit Bang Dudung’s famous goat soup stall.
A tempting dilemma
I arrived at this street-side eatery around Maghrib, just as it opened, and the place was still quiet. My original plan was to order the goat skewers, but seeing another customer enjoy a bowl of goat soup made it hard to resist. Torn between the two options, I finally decided to go for the soup.
The concept is straightforward: you pick a plate with pre-selected cuts from the cart, and the staff pours their special broth into your bowl. But when I asked about the price, I was slightly taken aback—IDR 55,000 for a bowl of goat soup! Normally, goat soup in Jakarta costs around IDR 25,000–40,000.
Read also: Delicious and affordable goat soup at Warung Sate Parahyangan
Worth every penny
Despite the price shock, I decided to treat myself—after all, it was my birthday, and what better way to celebrate than with a legendary Betawi-style goat soup?
Rice, sweet iced tea, and crackers were priced reasonably at IDR 5,000 each. So, perhaps the soup isn’t overpriced but rather offers great value for money. And let me tell you, the taste didn’t disappoint—it was absolutely worth it!
The best goat soup in Jakarta
The soup is packed with tender cuts of young goat ribs, skin, backbone, tomatoes, scallions, and even a hint of peanut sauce. The broth is rich, thick, and bursting with umami flavors, thanks to the marrow and goat fat. There’s no unpleasant goat odor, which I jokingly attribute to them “using Rexona daily.” I now officially crown this as the best goat soup in Jakarta.
As is typical with Betawi-style goat soup, it’s served with an Indonesian version of kimchi (yes, I mean pickles), featuring pineapple, cabbage, cucumber, and more. The tangy freshness perfectly balances the rich goat flavors.
Final thoughts
After finishing the bowl, I felt utterly satisfied with the experience. It was time for Maghrib prayer in the Balimester area, leaving me to ponder my next visit—perhaps to try their skewers next time.
Where should we eat next? Let’s keep exploring!
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