The population of Jakarta is predominantly made of Indonesians from Java, Sumatra, Borneo, Sulawesi or any of the other islands of Indonesia. The first ethnic minority would be Indonesian Chinese. Expatriates represent a fraction of the population, with the main communities being Japanese, Korean, American, Australian, and European.
Expats in Jakarta are spread in the whole city, but as each community tends to stay in the same areas and frequent the same spot, it is possible to get a general mapping of where they live and hang out:
- Indians in Jakarta (Expat or Indonesians): Many live in Pasar Baru or Sunter area. You will find them in clubs like Immigrant or Cloud or in one of the restaurants listed here: Indian restaurants in Jakarta.
- Japanese and Korean Expatriates: Most live in South Jakarta in Kebayoran Baru area (Pakubowono, Senopati, Dharmawangsa, Pondok Indah). Many offices from Japanese companies are located in Thamrin or in the Northern part of Jalan Sudirman so there are quite many Japanese/Korean restaurants there too. There is a Little Tokyo in Jalan Melawai (Blok M), which is a combination of Japanese restaurants and karaokes.
- Americans and Australian Expats: With the Australian School and Jakarta International School being located in South Jakarta, many American and Australians live in the Kemang/Pondok Indah area. Even though Americans are one of the main nationalities in Jakarta, they are not so visible. Most often, they will go out in 5-star hotel bars/restaurants, expats bars in South Jakarta, in Blok M (Jalan Falatehan), X2, Red Square.
- Arab (Saudis): Saudis I've met in Jakarta come mostly for tourism. Many come to enjoy drinking alcohol and meeting with girls, far away from their wifes. Jakarta is usually a stop on their way to Puncak. In Jakarta, they will hangout in Cikini area (Arabian Tent Cafe) or in Gatot Subroto in the club De Leila.
- European Expats in Jakarta are not a single community, but since each nationality is small, I prefer to group them: You will mostly find them in Kemang, Cipete, Pondok Indah, and in the Golden Triangle (Surdiman, Rasuna Said, Mega Kuningan). Naturally, they will hang out in clubs in those areas, particularly X2, Red Square, Immigrant, SKYE and all the expat bars.
Expats in Jakarta are spread in the whole city, but as each community tends to stay in the same areas and frequent the same spot, it is possible to get a general mapping of where they live and hang out:
- Indians in Jakarta (Expat or Indonesians): Many live in Pasar Baru or Sunter area. You will find them in clubs like Immigrant or Cloud or in one of the restaurants listed here: Indian restaurants in Jakarta.
- Japanese and Korean Expatriates: Most live in South Jakarta in Kebayoran Baru area (Pakubowono, Senopati, Dharmawangsa, Pondok Indah). Many offices from Japanese companies are located in Thamrin or in the Northern part of Jalan Sudirman so there are quite many Japanese/Korean restaurants there too. There is a Little Tokyo in Jalan Melawai (Blok M), which is a combination of Japanese restaurants and karaokes.
- Americans and Australian Expats: With the Australian School and Jakarta International School being located in South Jakarta, many American and Australians live in the Kemang/Pondok Indah area. Even though Americans are one of the main nationalities in Jakarta, they are not so visible. Most often, they will go out in 5-star hotel bars/restaurants, expats bars in South Jakarta, in Blok M (Jalan Falatehan), X2, Red Square.
- Arab (Saudis): Saudis I've met in Jakarta come mostly for tourism. Many come to enjoy drinking alcohol and meeting with girls, far away from their wifes. Jakarta is usually a stop on their way to Puncak. In Jakarta, they will hangout in Cikini area (Arabian Tent Cafe) or in Gatot Subroto in the club De Leila.
- European Expats in Jakarta are not a single community, but since each nationality is small, I prefer to group them: You will mostly find them in Kemang, Cipete, Pondok Indah, and in the Golden Triangle (Surdiman, Rasuna Said, Mega Kuningan). Naturally, they will hang out in clubs in those areas, particularly X2, Red Square, Immigrant, SKYE and all the expat bars.
- Indo Chinese are not expats obviously but still I wanted to include them on this listing: They are to be found mostly in Pluit, Pantai Indah Kapuk and Kelapa Gading for the wealthiest. In Glodok, the Chinese Glodok are supposed to be from a lower level. You will find them in many places in Jakarta, for instance Sun City, Club 36, Empirica, Da Fu.
- African: I haven't been there in a long time so I'm not sure if it is still valid, but in 2007 there was a small Nigerian community living in Jalan Jaksa/Wahid Hasyim area.
There is also an African bar in Blok M gloriously called Obama Fan Club.
- Russian expats: I have rarely seen Russians in Jakarta except in Dragonfly and SKYE. According to my taxi driver, there are two big Russian expat compounds in Senopati and Tebet.
Warning: This post is full of generalities and stereotypes. It is not a scientific study about Expats in Jakarta, but merely observations I made while living here. I would be more than happy to receive your comments.
