Editor’s Note:
This article was originally created with the support of Dijon Food Specialties, one of Bali’s pioneering specialty food retailers. It has been expanded and updated to reflect the significant growth of international grocery stores and specialty food options available throughout Indonesia.
One of the concerns many expatriates have when relocating to Indonesia is whether they will be able to find the foods and ingredients they are accustomed to at home. While this was once a genuine challenge, the situation has changed dramatically over the past two decades.
Today, Jakarta, Bali, Surabaya, and other major cities offer a growing range of specialty grocery stores, imported food retailers, organic markets, and ethnic supermarkets catering to both expatriates and Indonesians who enjoy international cuisine.
Whether you are searching for British tea, Australian meat pies, Korean kimchi, Japanese miso, Indian spices, gluten-free products, organic vegetables, or European cheeses, Indonesia now offers more options than ever before.
The Growth of International Grocery Shopping in Indonesia
When expatriates first began arriving in significant numbers in Jakarta during the 1970s and 1980s, imported food products were difficult to find. Stores such as Kem Chicks became lifelines for foreign residents seeking familiar foods from home.
Today, international products are widely available through:
- Supermarkets
- Specialty grocery stores
- Organic food suppliers
- Online grocery platforms
- Imported food distributors
- Same-day delivery services
Many products can now be ordered online and delivered directly to your home through:
- HappyFresh
- Sayurbox
- Segari
- Klik Indomaret
- Ranch Market Online
- Grand Lucky Online
- Various specialty food suppliers
Delivery services through Gojek and Grab have also made access to specialty foods much easier, even in areas far from major shopping districts.
Mainstream Supermarkets with International Selections
Many expatriates begin their search at larger supermarkets which carry substantial imported food sections.
Popular options include:
Kem Chicks
One of Jakarta’s original expatriate supermarkets, Kem Chicks remains well known for imported products, premium meats, cheeses, wines, bakery products, and specialty ingredients.
Ranch Market
Popular among expatriates and affluent Indonesians, Ranch Market offers imported foods, organic products, health foods, fresh produce, and international ingredients.
Grand Lucky
Grand Lucky is known for its extensive imported food selection, international cheeses, fresh seafood, specialty meats, and gourmet products.
Hero Supermarket
Select Hero locations continue to maintain international food sections catering to expatriate communities.
Foodhall
Foodhall stores often carry imported groceries, international sauces, breakfast cereals, baking ingredients, and frozen foods.
Japanese Grocery Stores
Japan has one of the largest expatriate communities in Indonesia, resulting in excellent access to Japanese products.
Popular Japanese supermarkets include:
Papaya Fresh Gallery
A favorite among Japanese residents, Papaya offers:
- Fresh sushi ingredients
- Japanese snacks
- Frozen foods
- Miso and soy products
- Imported beverages
- Japanese household products
AEON Supermarket
Japanese-owned AEON stores feature large Japanese food sections and ready-to-eat meals.
Cosmo Supermarket
Long known among Jakarta’s Japanese community, Cosmo specializes in imported Japanese foods and ingredients.
Japanese grocery stores can be found primarily in:
- South Jakarta
- BSD City
- Alam Sutera
- Central Jakarta
Korean Grocery Stores
The growing Korean community has led to increased availability of Korean foods.
Products commonly available include:
- Kimchi
- Gochujang
- Korean noodles
- Seaweed
- Frozen dumplings
- Korean snacks
- Korean beverages
Many Korean supermarkets are concentrated around:
- Senopati
- Kelapa Gading
- Kuningan
- South Jakarta
Several Korean restaurants also operate small grocery sections selling imported products.
Indian Grocery Stores
Indian grocery stores have operated in Jakarta for decades, serving both expatriates and Indonesia’s long-established Indian community.
Popular shopping areas include:
Pasar Baru
Traditionally the center of Jakarta’s Indian trading community.
Products include:
- Spices
- Lentils
- Basmati rice
- Pickles
- Flours
- Sweets
- Specialty cooking ingredients
Little India (Pasar Baru Area)
Visitors can find many stores selling ingredients for North and South Indian cooking.
Many shops also supply restaurants throughout Indonesia.
European and Gourmet Food Suppliers
European expatriates often seek products that are difficult to find in conventional supermarkets.
Specialty suppliers frequently stock:
- Artisan cheeses
- Charcuterie
- Foie gras
- Premium chocolates
- Olive oils
- Imported jams
- Specialty baking ingredients
- Gourmet sauces
Many gourmet suppliers now operate primarily online and deliver throughout Indonesia.
Organic and Health Food Stores
Health-conscious consumers have far more options today than in the past.
Popular categories include:
- Organic vegetables
- Free-range meats
- Natural skincare
- Vegan products
- Plant-based foods
- Non-GMO ingredients
- Sustainable products
Well-known suppliers include:
Club Sehat
A long-established supplier of organic foods and health products.
Namaste Organic
Known for organic produce, health foods, and environmentally conscious products.
Javara
A uniquely Indonesian company promoting indigenous ingredients, heritage foods, spices, grains, and sustainable agriculture.
Bali Buda
Particularly popular in Bali, offering:
- Organic foods
- Bakery products
- Vegetarian meals
- Health foods
- Natural products
Gluten-Free and Special Dietary Products
Finding gluten-free products in Indonesia has become much easier.
Products now commonly available include:
- Gluten-free pasta
- Gluten-free flour
- Almond flour
- Oat flour
- Dairy-free products
- Vegan alternatives
- Sugar-free products
- Keto-friendly foods
These products can often be found at:
- Ranch Market
- Grand Lucky
- Kem Chicks
- Health food stores
- Specialty online retailers
However, labels should always be carefully checked, as international certification standards may vary.
Specialty Food Shopping in Bali
Bali has become one of Southeast Asia’s most international culinary destinations.
Residents can easily find:
- European groceries
- Australian products
- Organic produce
- Vegan foods
- Gluten-free products
- Specialty bakery items
- Imported wines and cheeses
Popular shopping areas include:
- Sanur
- Seminyak
- Kerobokan
- Canggu
- Ubud
Dijon Food Specialties
Among Bali’s best-known specialty food stores is Dijon Food Specialties.
Founded in 1999, Dijon has served Bali’s expatriate and international community for more than two decades. The store has built a strong reputation for sourcing hard-to-find imported products while also producing a range of specialty foods locally.
Dijon’s offerings include:
- Imported gourmet foods
- Specialty cheeses
- Deli meats
- Sauces and condiments
- Spice blends
- Jams and preserves
- Bakery products
- Gift hampers
The company has also developed an extensive catering and food service operation serving homes, villas, restaurants, and hospitality businesses throughout Bali.
For many years Dijon has been more than simply a grocery store. It has acted as a community resource for newcomers seeking information, services, and connections within Bali’s international community.
Dijon Food Specialties
Simpang Siur Square A1-A2
Jl. Setiabudhi
Kuta, Bali 80361
Tel. (0361) 759-636, 759-638
Email: [email protected]
Shopping Beyond Jakarta and Bali
Even expatriates living in smaller cities can often access imported foods.
Many specialty suppliers now ship nationwide, including to:
- Surabaya
- Bandung
- Batam
- Balikpapan
- Medan
- Makassar
- Manado
- Lombok
Cold-chain delivery services have improved significantly, allowing refrigerated and frozen products to reach customers throughout much of Indonesia.
Final Thoughts
Living in Indonesia no longer means giving up the flavors of home. Whether you are looking for Japanese ingredients, Indian spices, Korean snacks, gluten-free products, organic produce, European cheeses, or gourmet delicacies, the range of specialty food options continues to expand every year.
From large supermarkets and ethnic grocery stores to organic suppliers and online delivery services, expatriates throughout Indonesia can now enjoy an impressive variety of international foods while also discovering the rich culinary traditions of Indonesia itself.
