Without realizing it, 2025 is already in its second week. How has January been treating you? If we look back to the last few weeks before 2025, there has been many trendy and viral food spots in Jakarta. Whether it’s street food or bakeries, to high-end dining. Have you had the chance to explore any of them yet? If you’re still looking for some exciting dining options, check out our Restaurant Radar, which features a list of newly opened restaurants this January.

When it comes to celebrating the New Year, many people enjoy barbecuing or grilling fish, but how about you? For me, I spend it with a pot of spicy tom yum kung that I share with my little family. Our chef friends also shared how they celebrate the New Year, whether with family, friends, or at different locations. They also gave us a list of their go-to culinary destinations that included their favorite dishes, some are their favorite street food or a restaurant they really enjoy. While they are as excited to welcome the new year, they also share a bit about their upcoming projects for the year 2025. 

What’s the must-eat meal you will have in 2025?

Chef Freddie Salim
Recently opened Silk Thai at Pakubuwono, Chef Freddie Salim is the Owner and chef of both Silk Thai and Silk Bistro.
“The first thing I look forward to eating in 2025 is bakmi. Because I love bakmi very much. I have two favorite bakmi places they are Bakmi Tiga Marga and Bakmi Aloi Kelapa Gading.” 

Chef Ryan Theja
After a long stay in Bali, Chef Ryan Theja moved to Jakarta to establish his new restaurant in Gunawarman.
Even though Dapur Mamih Sateku is new in Jakarta, it feels quite nostalgic for me because it’s close to Biko’s office and my outlet in Gunawarman. I often pass by this area, and I find it very comfortable. I can enjoy eating here two or three times a week. I plan to go back again soon.”

Chef Ardika Dwitama
This Le Cordon Bleu alumnus is the Pastry Chef at August Jakarta
“It will likely be bakmi since I live in Kelapa Gading. My favorite place is Bakmi Lebar, but Wen Sin Mie is also a favorite, both my daughter and I love it very much.”

Chef Arief Rachman
Having 20 years of experience, now Chef Arief Rachman is the Corporate Chef of TOMA Group.
“The one thing that I want to eat this 2025 is pecel ayam. To be honest, it’s been a long time since I last ate this. I probably will eat the pecel ayam near my house.”

Mikael Mirdad
Starting from his love for the world of food, in 2012 Mikael Mirdad co-founded Biko Group with two of his friends.
“I am excited to have Babi Panggang (roast pork) from Lapo Ni Tondongta in 2025. I really enjoy it and look forward to eating it, especially after a night of partying on New Year’s Eve.”

Chef Patrese Vito
Apart from being the Executive Chef at Lapo Porsea, Chef Patrese Vito also assisting at Markt and Miss Marly
“At Martabak Sinar Bulan in Muara Karang, I will have the thick and buttery sweet martabak, topped with nuts, chocolate, cheese, condensed milk, and sesame seeds.

Chef Nabila Yoestino
Biko’s Pastry Chef, Nabila Yoestino, now also using social media to share her knowledge of making dessert through her video.
“For this 2025, I want to start with something that I really like, that is Nasi Padang, especially the one from Pagi Sore.”

Chef Hans Christian
Chef Hans is at the helm of August Jakarta that recognized as one of Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants for 2024.
“The meal that I will have in 2025 is one of my favorite, Sei Kupang Aroma. For you who want to try, you can get it online.”

Chef Gabriel Jamias
With over a decade of culinary expertise, Gabriel Jamias now served as Executive Chef of Coach Restaurant and Coffeeshop.
The meal I will have in 2025 is the sop assortment at Babon Mampang. It is something comforting for me, especially after a long hour in the kitchen. It’s one of my favorites in town.”

Chef Richie Pratadaja
With a passion for art and pastry, Chef Richie began learning to be a chocolatier, which has now led to the opening of Crio and Criollo in Jakarta.
“The meal that I have to have is going to be Bakmi Camat in Mangga Besar. I’ve been eating this noodle dish since I was a child, and I never get tired of it. It’s the one thing that I must eat in 2025.”

Budi Cahyadi
Co-owning August Jakarta with Chef Hans that guide it to received the Asia’s One To Watch 2023 Award.
I’m going home to Lombok to my mom’s place, where I will enjoy her cooking. I also plan to eat Sate Rembiga and Ayam Taliwang there.”

What’s your restaurant’s recommendation for people to enjoy in 2025?

Chef Freddie Salim
For 2025, I invite people to please come and check out Silk Thai. I’m gonna be there to serve you and cook for you.”

Chef Ryan Theja
“My most memorable meal recently was at the Sanur restaurant in Jakarta, a Chinese food spot in the city center. It was quite pricey, but it was one of the best Chinese meals I’ve ever had; the flavors were very precise.”

Chef Ardika Dwitama
“I’ve got a couple of restaurants to recommend, but also keep an eye out for two new spots from the Biko Group opening in 2025, Costa and Kindling.”

Chef Arief Rachman
“2025 has many exciting new restaurants, but for me, I prefer comfort food, such as claypot or Asian brasserie, which is also good.”

Mikael Mirdad
“At the end of December 2024, we opened a fine-dining restaurant called Kindling in Cikini. Additionally, we will be opening a restaurant in collaboration with Ryan Theja this January. I highly recommend these two restaurants for you to try in 2025, and we look forward to seeing you there.”

Chef Patrese Vito
“I would say, try my place, Lapo Porsea, MARKT or Miss Marly. But I think for the others, if you haven’t, try August.”

Chef Nabila Yoestino
“There are many new places that have opened, but the one I will continue to visit is Baso Solo Samrat.”

Chef Hans Christian
“A restaurant recommendation would be Ikan Bakar Cianjur. Please try their menu and order everything, it’s also great for sharing.”

Chef Gabriel Jamias
“Shoutout to my boys in Carrots Bar and Golden Tooth Bar, most underrated bar in Jakarta I would say. Please check it out, for me it’s the best place to drink in town.”

Chef Richie Pratadaja
“For the recommended place, I would definitely suggest my own place, Criollo. However, there’s also August, which will be launching their eighth season, and our friends in South Quarter, who are also set to open new locations. There are many exciting openings to look forward to in 2025.”

Budi Cahyadi
My recommendation would be ayam taliwang from Putera Lombok. For those who haven’t tried it, please do! I grew up with this cuisine, so I highly recommend it.”

What do you look forward to the most in 2025?

Chef Freddie Salim
“I look forward to returning to Sydney in 2025 for three weeks. I will go with my family; we will travel around, we will eat as much food as we can.”

Chef Ryan Theja
“What I look forward to the most is opening my new restaurant. It is set to open hopefully by the third week of January, and it will be located on Gunawarman.”

Chef Ardika Dwitama
“I look forward for more collaboration, more travelling with August team and also more projects.”

Chef Arief Rachman
“I look forward to Ryan Theja’s new Catalonian restaurant. I also have a couple of new projects, stay tuned!”

Mikael Mirdad
“Because in 2024, Biko Group opened 5 restaurants in total, I think for 2025, what I’m looking forward to is a holiday, and I’ll probably go to Africa.”

Chef Patrese Vito
“I am excited about the expansion of MARKT, Crustyloaf Bakery, and Lapo Porsea, which will host new events to promote our culture through food.”

Chef Nabila Yoestino
“In 2025, I will continue to share content on social media to inspire our friends who aspire to be chefs, helping them learn how to become chefs rather than just sharing recipes.”

Chef Hans Christian
“There will be an exciting collaboration in August. Please stay tuned.”

Chef Gabriel Jamias
“I’m looking forward to good health and good life in 2025. There will be exciting things happening at the Coach Restaurant & Coffee Shop.”

Chef Richie Pratadaja
“In Jakarta, there are many places that will be opening soon. I can’t list them all because there are so many upcoming, but please look forward to it. Lastly, I want to travel around the world this year”

Budi Cahyadi
I think just to thrive more in August but also traveling and try new places in different countries. Also I’m looking forward to our friends Ryan Theja and Valian’s new places.”