Jakarta has all the places you need for an immersive shopping experience, thanks to the gazillion malls the city has. But shopping in malls might not be something new to you. There is, however, a unique shopping experience you can’t do in other countries – street markets. Nothing can beat the feeling of picking the most inexpensive clothes and souvenirs and bargain with the seller to get the best price. If you want to experience such an authentic experience, try these street markets in Jakarta.

Tanah Abang

If we are talking about the original street markets in Jakarta, Tanah Abang is probably one of them. The street market has been active since 1735, making it one of the oldest street markets in Jakarta. The area is divided into several sections, and the highlight of it is Pasar Tanah Abang (Tanah Abang Market).

Pasar Tanah Abang is the perfect place for those who want to purchase clothes and textiles since endless kiosks are selling them. The market is divided into three sections. The first section is the “old” Tanah Abang section. The other two are Tanah Abang Metro and Tanah Abang AURI. What makes them different is the naming system of the stall and the products they sell. Most stalls sell textiles, but there are some who sell clothes and other products. Those who want to survey the stalls can check out Pasar Tanah Abang’s website.

Pasar Baru

Pasar Baru is another shopping area that has been around for a while; the area was built in 1820, making it the oldest shopping center in Jakarta. Structure-wise, the district has a classic design that reminds us of street bazaars. At the side of the street, you can take a look at the products being sold.

What makes Pasar Baru amazing is the number of products you can find. From the simplest shoes to the most substantial sports equipment, you can find them here. You can even visit the food stalls if you’re hungry (trivia: some of the famous eateries in Indonesia originated from Pasar Baru)!

Another unique fact about Pasar Baru is its residents. Most of the residents are Indian-Indonesians. Pasar Baru also becomes the praying center of many Indian communities in Indonesia. So if you see some people speaking in Hindi, don’t be surprised!

Pasar Santa

If we talk about traditional markets in South Jakarta, then Pasar Santa is the one. The market was known as the Blok M of South Jakarta, as it never fails to attract many customers from the evening until morning and Thanks to the vintage vibes of the market that attract many youngsters from all over Jakarta

Unfortunately, Pasar Santa’s glorious days didn’t last long. The market is not as crowded as it was before. The lingering crowd does not mean that the market is dead, of course. Now the market becomes the center of coffee lovers in Indonesia. In fact, one of the coffee shops in the market has successfully gained international customers. The food stalls are also starting to attract more customers, slowly reviving the glorious days of Pasar Santa.

Blok M

Blok M is another district that is also the shopping and business center in Jakarta. Don’t be fooled by the area’s so-called plain appearance. Many people have always relied on Blok M due to the low price of goods and services there. The district also has one of the largest bus stations in Jakarta.

You can visit the area in the afternoon. If you truly want to experience the feeling of Blok M, though, you should visit the place in the evening. The evening is where people actually go to Blok M and entertain themselves until morning. If you want to go in the evening though, it’s best to bring a local friend with you to prevent unnecessary problems.

Jalan Surabaya

If you are an antique collector, you need to set aside some time for Jalan Surabaya. Originally, the area had nothing to do with antique. There were merchants who traded with antique sellers, and the said merchants eventually settle down in Jalan Surabaya.

Now, the area becomes one of the most comprehensive antique spots in the entire city. The dedication to antiques is so great to the point where there are stores that only sell individual antique products such as vinyl-only and camera-only shops. Mind you, there are so many antique kiosks in Jalan Surabaya, so it will take at least 3 hours to go through all of them. If you’re tired, don’t worry, because there are also restaurants that can help you replenish your energy.

Since antique is a delicate product, it’s best for you to get the best price for the product. You can do so by negotiating with the seller. If you’re lucky, you can mark down the price up to fifty percent! You need to beware of the products, though, as there are also stores that well fake antiques. It’s best not to purchase something that sounds too cheap to be true.

Glodok

Did you accidentally break or gadget, or do you feel like buying a new one without having to spend too much? If that’s the case, then it’s time for you to visit Glodok. Glodok is known for its electronics goods, from batteries to smartphones and laptops, you can browse a lot of electronics stuff there.

Besides its electronics goods, you can visit Glodok for its Chinatown. Glodok’s Chinatown is one of the biggest Chinatowns in the world. So when you’re in Glodok, you can shop while learning more about Indonesia’s Chinese cultures or enjoy Chinese Indonesian cuisines.