Blok M Draws Holiday Crowds as Viral Food Spots Revive Area
Jakarta. Crowds packed Blok M throughout the Eid al-Adha holiday, with many visitors willing to queue at viral food destinations that have revived the area’s popularity.
Once one of Jakarta’s top lifestyle and shopping hubs in the 1980s and 1990s, Blok M was known for its malls, nightlife, and youth culture before losing popularity as newer commercial centers emerged across the capital.
In recent years, however, the area has enjoyed a revival driven by viral culinary spots, trendy cafes, and thrift shops, while improved MRT access and social media exposure have helped attract younger visitors back to the neighborhood.
Blok M is rarely quiet, especially on weekends, as the area is consistently packed with vehicles and visitors. The neighborhood continues to draw large crowds during long holidays, fueled by viral food spots and trendy lifestyle destinations that appeal to a broad range of visitors, particularly young people.
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The crowds were noticeable across several parts of Blok M on Thursday, particularly around popular food vendors. Despite the heavy foot traffic, visitors were still able to move comfortably through the area as people continuously flowed in and out throughout the day.
One of the busiest spots was Little Salt Bread, where long lines formed as visitors waited to buy the shop’s viral Korean-style bread.
Hary, a 71-year-old visitor who traveled 1,200 kilometers from Riau, said he was willing to wait more than 30 minutes under the scorching sun just to try the bread after hearing about it from his child.
“As bread lovers, whenever we travel, I usually follow places that are crowded. I got the information from my kid,” Hary told the Jakarta Globe.
Another customer, Ardella, 35, from South Tangerang, said she had tried the bread several times before it went viral and praised its taste. She said she visits Blok M not only for the food, but also to stroll around the area.
“Blok M is not only about culinary spots. There are also many clothing stores here, especially Korean-style fashion shops selling clothes, glasses, and accessories,” she said.
Besides viral bakeries, dessert shops also attracted long queues. Artirasa, a cheesecake store often associated with Blok M’s culinary scene, was another favorite destination during the holiday.
Tika, 36, from Cibubur in East Jakarta, said she cycled for about an hour with her husband just to buy the cheesecake.
“Some of my relatives said this place is one of the icons of Blok M, so I’m going to prove it,” she said.
Young people also crowded the area. Razla, 21, said she often visits Blok M with relatives during holidays because the neighborhood offers many culinary destinations and photo spots.
“This is my several-th time buying this cake. From my experience, this is one of the best cakes I’ve ever tried in Jakarta or outside the city,” she said.
Razla added that Blok M remains one of the most recommended destinations in Jakarta for relaxing, culinary hunting, and taking pictures.
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