The pasalubong or souvenirs we saw in Jakarta were similar to the ones in Bali and in Yogyakarta, especially the handicraft ones, just more expensive and limited in terms of options.
We went to a mini-mart beside our hotel which was not really a good choice for cheap and native pasalubong. We also went to a chocolate store and two big malls, one for clothes and the other for Indonesian products.
11 varieties of Monggo Chocolate. The wrapper claims that it is “The Finest Indonesian Chocolate!” and it is “100% Cocoa Butter”. One bar is IDR 18,000 (US $1.38) but a flyer in Amaris Hotel gives the holder 10% discount so it cost us IDR 16,200 (US $1.24) for each bar. The chocolate was smooth and the filling remained soft and moist. I liked Caramello, 58% Dark Chocolate, Chocolate and Mango. I do not like fruit-based chocolate bars so liking Strawberry and Mango was a surprise.
The saleslady in Monggo Chocolate Store was very nice to us. We went inside before she was supposed to open the store at 9am. She made us taste at least 8 flavors (including chili flavored chocolate) and we liked the chocolates. We promised her that we would just to back to our hotel to get some flyers to avail of the discount. After 20 minutes (we got distracted in a minimart), we came back with a bunch of flyers. She laughed because we had 10 flyers but needed only one each to get 10% off our bill.
She gave us a HUGE platter of chocolate samples. I think there were 50 or so mini-bars of chocolates. We did not understand each other so we had to resort to Google Translate at first but decided to just pinpoint the flavors we liked after tasting them and smile. So Virg and I ended up buying 11 bars each and I ended up getting all of the samples we did not finish. Thank you, kind saleslady. 🙂 Just to clarify, I did not finish all of the samples; I gave some to the people at the hotel and to Nadya.
Indonesian Cigarettes: Djarum Coklat (pack of 12), IDR 10,100 (US $0.77) and Bentoel BR Sensasi (pack of 12), IDR 14,700 (US $1.12) at Lotte Mart. The wrapper of Indonesian cigarettes have very graphic images to steer people away from smoking.
I do not really know what their names are but the one in the center is sliced green banana dipped in flour with egg and then fried. The ones on its either side tasted like fish cracker, and I liked it a LOT. These were given to us by Nadya. 🙂
Singa Coffee from left to right: Special Blended 60 grams, IDR 5,690 (US $0.44), Robusta 180 grams, IDR 14,890 (US $1.14) and Robusta 60 grams, IDR 5,590 (US $0.43) at Pt. Hero Supermarket
Rice Mix: Royco 17 grams, IDR 1,500 (US $0.11) and Sasa, IDR 1,490 (US $0.11) at Pt. Hero Supermarket. I like the Royco one better than the La Rasa brand. I think Royco has a more defined taste than the other. I have cooked Nasi Goreng thrice with these rice mix. Two out of 3 times, it was successful. 🙂
S Wangi Tea, IDR 7,290 (US $0.56). A local recommended it to me while I wandered around the aisles cluelessly. Walini Tea - FREE from Gunung Mas. W’Dank Coconut Drink, IDR 10,490 (US $0.80) at Pt. Hero Supermarket. I tasted the sample the saleslady made, it had a noticeable coconut taste even if her version was very diluted.
Sarong, IDR 75,000 (US $5.73). I have worn this once and it was so light and feminine. The saleslady showed me how to wear it properly TWICE, but I am sure I did not do it the way she showed me.
The following are not products found solely in Indonesia, but they were cheap so I bought them.
Zact Toothpaste 150 grams, IDR 10,250 (US $0.78) and Systema Menthol Breeze 190 grams, IDR 9,200 (US $0.70) at Lotte Mart.
From left to right: Nivea Daily Protection Sun Lotion SPF 25 100 mL, IDR 26,990 (US $2.06) at Pt. Hero Supermarket. Nivea Body White Serum 200 mL, IDR 38,900 (US $2.97) at Lotte Mart. L’Oreal Shampoo and Conditioner, IDR 24,390 (US $1.86) each at Pt. Hero Supermarket. I have used the Daily Protection Sun Lotion once, it is lighter than sunblock but it smells like one so I stopped using it.
Maybelline Aqua Gel Foundation, IDR 104,580 (US $8.00) and Maybelline Shine Free Cake Powder, IDR 84,580 (US $6.47) at Pt. Hero Supermarket. I have used the Aqua Gel Foundation and it is light and feels smoother than the other brands of liquid foundation I have used (which are limited to 3).
Wow, monggo chocolate galore… =) I will choose the milk & white flavor.. (natawa naman ako dun sa super bitbit ng 10 flyers pero one flyer is enough.. discount galore din…) The graphic image in the cigarette wrapper is quite impressive ….
Can you cook me a nasi goreng with those rice mix? I just want to taste your culinary expertise.. Hahahaha.. 🙂 Please teach me also how to wore that sarong.. ( if you can still remember) Di nagpaawat sa cosmetic products.. I like Nivea products too but I haven’t used the body serum whitening…. ( pero kapag effective na pamputi.. i’ll try it).. I am using Maybelline powder & lipstick… I’ll try the aqua gel foundation… in fairness it is cheaper there.. We need that right now since our Dandan has a new lady.. (puede naman tyo na lang di ba?).. 😉
The Monggo Chocolate bars I tried were smooth and creamy with fillings that tasted like what the wrapper said it would taste like. The salesgirl was super accommodating, maybe it was due to the time we arrived, early birds and all that. 🙂
I cannot cook nasi goreng for you, but just believe me that it the ones I made were okay but nothing like what we ate. It must be due to my culinary skills or the lack thereof. As for the sarong, you saw me wearing it earlier. What do you think? 🙂
I have not used the Nivea Body Serum so I cannot tell you yet whether or not it’s effective. Try the aqua gel foundation. 🙂 Using it might make us a step closer to Dandan. Huwag ka mag-alala, may fighting chance pa tayo. Hehehe.
It was nice seeing you earlier. The blue shawl suits you well (sana mabasa ito ni Juvy). 🙂 It complemented your dress quite nicely. I hope to see you again soon.
It was nice seeing you too.. Next time, how about a movie and tambay uli with a little bit of margarita… so we can get su heir apparent drunk… hahaha.. What a plan!! 😉
By the way, thanks for the blue shawl.. mukhang type pa naman ni su heir apparent… 😉
Yes, I am up for a movie and a chat. I do not drink though. You are very much welcome re blue shawl. I am glad you like it.