The iconic blue and yellow logo just officially calls Indonesia home for the first time (that's a major relief for agitated Indonesians who have been very curious and excited about seeing the massive blue and yellow building in Alam Sutera, some 23km away west of Jakarta).
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| IKEA Swedish Meatballs X Chicken Thigh with creamy dill sauce |
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| The building that got a lot of people excited for months! |
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| 1000 parking spaces within the premises and parking is free |
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| Main entrance to IKEA Alam Sutera |
IKEA Alam Sutera has a gargantuan area of 33,000sqm and has 2 floors, so you might want to wear comfortable footwear when visiting.
What does a food blogger do at IKEA? No, I didn't bother much about shopping for home supplies, because the first thing I looked for when I walked past the entrance was the IKEA Restaurant. I spotted it on the second floor, I made my way there rightaway. I walked past the home furnishing sections on the 2nd floor, where they create 'rooms' made using IKEA products, there are bedrooms, living rooms, bathrooms, kitchen, dining room, etc.
What does a food blogger do at IKEA? No, I didn't bother much about shopping for home supplies, because the first thing I looked for when I walked past the entrance was the IKEA Restaurant. I spotted it on the second floor, I made my way there rightaway. I walked past the home furnishing sections on the 2nd floor, where they create 'rooms' made using IKEA products, there are bedrooms, living rooms, bathrooms, kitchen, dining room, etc.
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| IKEA display spaces |
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| Borrow only please, but I bet itchy-handed Indonesians will bring these to their homes LOL |
Many people have asked me about the price, and no, there's no soft opening discount or special promotion (LOL, the Indonesian mentality!). Price wise, they are not expensive and neither cheap, because the products, as the website claims, almost 2/3 of them are crafted in Europe, so it won't be any cheaper in Indonesia. Although when you shop at IKEA in Europe it would probably cost more, simply due to the exchange rate Oh, I managed to snap some photos of the show spaces, but not much, as I was hurrying to reach my most wanted destination: the restaurant.
IKEA Restaurant
The 700 pax capacity restaurant is so huge, I think it's probably even bigger than the one in Damansara, KL. The bright and clean space is located by the window, very nice natural lighting, with interesting lighting and decor. The tables are even varied, from tall counters with stools, to large communal table for big groups and normal canteen tables.
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| Some kids playing area at the restaurant, very family friendly |
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| Family corner: microwave and milk bottle warmer for children |
The iconic canteen-like system is there too, I made my way to the end of the queue and started choosing what I should order. The price is relatively affordable for local standard, if compared to the price in Singapore or KL, the price here is definitely cheaper.
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| Take your pick (and pay at the end of the line, of course) |
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| Self-service coffee and tea station |
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| IKEA Swedish Meatballs, mashed potatoes, gherkin pickles, cranberry sauce and brown gravy IDR 40,000 / 50,000 / 60,000 (10 / 15 / 20 meatball) |
Silly as it may sound, I'm a fan of the meatballs. A chef friend of mine says it's not swedish, it's IKEA food LOL! But really, I don't really mind whatever name it takes. Unfortunately, at the time of my visit, the iconic cranberry jam that's customarily served with the meatballs was not available yet (I reckon it must be stuck at the customs, some corrupt officials must be enjoying it in their office now grrr...LOL, sorry, just kidding!).
How did it taste? It's like Indonesian meatball 'baso', not at all like the ones I had in Singapore or even Malaysia. Why? the meatballs are locally produced and it is Halal, and it must have been adjusted to the price, so there. But I think 10 meatballs, a dollop of mash potato and gherkin salad, served with brown sauce for IDR 40,000 nett, not such a bad deal at all. I am not disappointed, I just find the inconsistency in the standard of the meatball quite unfortunate, because as a globally thriving brand, consistency in the brand experience should be a priority and in fact that's what makes IKEA distinct from its competitors.
Baked Chicken Thigh with creamy dill sauce - chicken was tender, but not quite a memorable dish.
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| Baked Chicken Thigh with creamy dill sauce IDR 35,000 |
Mazarin Cake - I think this a Swedish version or almond marzipan pie, quite sweet and I would not recommend this if you're not a sweet tooth. It does go well with black coffee though.
Cinnamon Bun with raisin, tasted decent, especially for meal on the go.
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| Left: Cinnamon Bun IDR 14,000 | Black coffee IDR 7,000 Right: Mazarin Cake IDR 18,000 |
Swedish Food Market
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| Testers anyone? |
On the first floor, the Swedish food market is where you can buy some imported food stuff from Sweden. At the time of my visit, there was not much selection yet, those on the display were fruit jams, biscuits, ginger snaps, cheese balls and other goods. Hopefully when I visit again next time, there will be more items. Oh, if you don't dare to buy the goods, worry not because there are testers provided. Everything at IKEA is self-service, so no one will be looking if you actually finish the entire tester jar, but seriously are you that cheapskate? LOL
Bistro
The bistro is located on the first floor, right next to the Swedish Food Market, towards the exit to the parking lot. This is where you can buy the soft serve ice cream for IDR 4,000 only, hot dogs, soft drinks, buns and other quick bites on the go. What can you get with a piece of IDR 5,000 note? Yes, one soft-serve ice cream on sweet cone. Childhood treat for most of us from my generation, who can resist?
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| Soft-serve ice cream cone IDR 4,000 |
Some last FYIs:
- Parking within the premise is free
- (Looping) Shuttle bus service between IKEA and Mall Alam Sutera, this is useful if you cannot get a parking space within the premise and have to park at Mall Alam Sutera instead.
- Food at IKEA is Halal and you pay the price that you see on the menu board (no more additional tax & service charge)
- All the food outlets accept cash payment only
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| Until I'm back again, IKEA... |
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| See you again! |
Basically what's so special about IKEA is the experience, the experience of browsing home furnitures, appliances, utensils, etc, with a unique self-service concept. Indonesians were not ready for this concept a few years ago, but today, I believe we are now ready to get our own wardrobe off the shelves and assemble our purchased IKEA furniture at home. =)
Oh, try to avoid coming on the weekend, because I bet a lot of people will be doing the same too. Unless you don't mind squeezing with a lot of other visitors =)
Oh, try to avoid coming on the weekend, because I bet a lot of people will be doing the same too. Unless you don't mind squeezing with a lot of other visitors =)
Store Opening Hours: 10 AM - 10 PM (daily)
Restaurant Opening Hours: 9.30 AM - 9 PM (daily)
Restaurant Opening Hours: 9.30 AM - 9 PM (daily)
IKEA Alam Sutera
Jl. Jalur Sutera Boulevard No. 45 (click here to open in Google Maps)
Alam Sutera, Serpong - Tangerang
Driving Directions
Ph: +6221 29853900
Ph: +6221 29853900
Facebook: IKEA Indonesia
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