Why Jakarta Has More Coffee Shops Than I Have Sachets at Home

A View from a Budget-Friendly Coffee Drinker

TOMORO Coffee, one of the most popular coffee shop chains in Indonesia — Image by Author

If you’ve ever walked the streets of Jakarta (or other big cities in Indonesia like Bandung, or Surabaya), you’ve probably noticed something: coffee shops are everywhere. They’re on every corner, in every mall, tucked into tiny alleyways, and sometimes even in places that make you go, “Wait, this is a coffee shop?!”

And I, an instant coffee drinker, am here to ask the question that has been brewing in my mind (pun intended): Why are there so many coffee shops in Jakarta?

Meet the Writer: A Proud Sachet Coffee Enthusiast

Before you start throwing your oat-milk lattes at me, let me introduce myself. I’m not here to bash coffee lovers — I’m just someone who enjoys my daily caffeine fix in the form of sachet coffee. Whether it’s a classic Kapal Api, a creamy Good Day, or even an iced coffee from Alfamart and Indomaret, I’ve got my go-to budget-friendly options.

That said, I’m not completely clueless about coffee-shop coffee. I’ve sipped on and before (fancy, right?). But still, as someone who usually sticks to instant, the sheer number of coffee shops in Jakarta blows my mind.