Hidden among the lively streets of Jakarta’s Glodok Chinatown lies a true gem of Chinese-Indonesian street food. Among the buzzing stalls and the clatter of woks, you’ll find one dish that locals turn to for pure comfort: nasi tim chicken rice. Steamy, savoury, and soul-warming, it’s the kind of meal that feels like a hug in food form.
What is nasi tim chicken rice?
Nasi tim chicken rice is a popular Chinese-Indonesian dish that you can find throughout Jakarta, especially in the Glodok neighbourhood. It has two different layers, and the best way to describe it is as an upside-down shepherd’s pie, except you switch out the mashed potatoes for rice.
The first layer is seasoned, boneless chicken that’s diced up and stir-fried with mushrooms, garlic, soy sauce, Chinese cooking wine, sesame oil and oyster sauce. The cook spoons this layer of savoury, meaty-deliciousness into a small metal tin. Then, they cover it with the second layer: raw rice flavoured with salt, pepper and garlic.
They add a little bit of water and place the tins into a massive steamer. Dozens of tins steam together until the rice cooks to sticky, chewy perfection.
How nasi tim chicken rice is served
Once you order, the cook flips your individual-sized tin upside down, exposing that savoury, juicy layer of stir-fried chicken. The chicken sits on top of the fluffy rice, creating a steamy layered cake of savoury goodness.
They then cover it with a few spoonfuls of savoury chicken oil, adding an incredible amount of umami flavour.
The last step is the proverbal cherry-on-top: a fresh raw egg yolk. The cook delicately places the yolk on the chicken layer, finishing off the dish.
We have to say, the addition of the chicken oil and egg yolk really heightens the dish. This truly turns nasi tim into something incredibly rich with a savoury flavour that can’t be matched.
Sides to go with your nasi tim
Two popular sides often come with your nasi tim. One is acar, Indonesian pickled vegetables. You’ll also spot large jars on the table full of little pickled onions. Both sides pair perfectly with the dish, cutting through the richness with a crisp sourness and adding a welcome crunchy texture.
Where to eat nasi tim in Jakarta
Our go to spot for nasi tim is at a very modest shop in Pasar Pagi Lama. Right in the heart of Glodok Chinatown Jakarta you’ll find Nasi Tim Pasar Pagi “Ayauw”. It’ll be tucked away on the northern side of the market, closest to Jalan Pasar Pagi Lama, on the upper floor.
The shop is surrounded by book stores and paper shops on the second floor. It can be tricky to find, but the effort is totally worth it for this Jakarta comfort food.
Once you’ve arrived, find yourself a spot and order up a nasi tim. As far as we know it’s the only thing on the menu, so there’ll be no confusion as to what you want.
Nasi tim: the ultimate Chinese-Indonesian comfort food
This savoury steamed chicken rice, known locally as nasi tim chicken rice, is the ultimate comfort food in Chinese-Indonesian culture. Hearty rice sits under a generous helping of savoury stir-fried chicken and mushroom, all steamed together into the perfect savoury cake. Top it with chicken oil and a fresh raw egg yolk, and you’ve got yourself the biggest savoury hug out there. Is there any better kind?
Name: Nasi Tim Pasar Pagi “Ayauw”
Address: Lt. 2, Ps. Jaya Pagi, RT.2/RW.2, Roa Malaka, Jakarta, Indonesia
what3words: ///cookery.ranted.holds
Price: IDR 50K
