5 Beloved Indonesian Restaurant Chains You Must Try in Batam
Photo Source : @UiHua Cheah
It may come as a surprise that some of the brands Malaysians know and love, like J.CO Donuts & Coffee and Richeese Factory, actually started in Indonesia. Just as Malaysians have homegrown favourites like Marrybrown, Secret Recipe, and Oriental Kopi, Indonesians have their own restaurant chains that have become household names.
Since many of them have never made their way to Malaysia, Batam is one of the easiest places you can experience the Marrybrowns and ZUS Coffees that Indonesians grew up with. From nostalgic bento meals and viral spicy noodles to iconic desserts, here are five homegrown Indonesian restaurant chains you need to try.
1. HokBen: Indonesia’s nostalgic Japanese fast food
Photo source: Hokben via Instagram
At first glance, you’d be forgiven for thinking HokBen is a Japanese chain. The name (short for Hoka Hoka Bento), the branding, and even the menu all scream Japan.
Except… it’s completely Indonesian.
Founded in Jakarta in 1985, HokBen has become one of Indonesia’s most beloved comfort food chains. For many Indonesians, it’s a taste of nostalgia in a bento box.
Their signature bento sets typically come with fluffy white rice, Chicken Teriyaki or Yakiniku, Egg Roll Tofu, crispy fried chicken, and one side that’s almost legendary among locals—the pickled carrot and radish salad topped with sweet-and-creamy mayonnaise. Similar to the KFC mashed potato or coleslaw, this is one side dish with enough main character energy that you can find countless videos of people trying to recreate it at home.
Easiest place to find it: Grand Batam Mall
2. Mie Gacoan: The viral noodle chain
Photo source: Mie Gacoan via Instagram
If you see long queues outside a restaurant in Batam, there’s a decent chance it’s Mie Gacoan.
This wildly popular noodle chain has become something of a TikTok phenomenon thanks to two things: fiery spicy noodles and unbelievably cheap prices. A bowl typically costs only around IDR10,000-15,000 (roughly RM2.30-RM3.50), making it one of the best-value meals you’ll find in Batam.
Mie Gacoan’s signature dish is springy dry noodles topped with seasoned minced chicken and crispy fried shallots. Popular menu items include Mie Angel (non-spicy), Mie Iblis (spicy noodles mixed with soy sauce for balance), and Mie Setan, which has adjustable spice levels that range from barely tolerable to deeply-rooted existential regret.
Don’t forget the sides either. The cheese-filled fried shrimp (Udang Keju), crispy dumplings, and wontons are almost mandatory orders to accompany the deliciously spicy noodles.
Easiest place to find it: Golden City Bengkong & Batu Aji
3. Solaria: Indonesia’s family restaurant
Photo source: Deeppain270 via Lemon8
Ask Indonesians where they’ve celebrated birthdays, family dinners, or other special events outside, and chances are many will mention Solaria. You’ll find one in almost every major shopping mall across Indonesia, making it one of the country’s most recognisable restaurant chains.
Solaria solves one of the most universal problems groups and families face when eating out - deciding where to go. You might be hankering for Nasi Goreng Spesial, your sister might crave Kwetiau Sapi (stir-fried beef flat noodles), and your mom might throw a culinary curveball and want a Chicken Cordon Bleu. Everyone gets what they’re craving, all in one place!
So, if you’re looking for a single place to sample everyday Indonesian comfort food, Solaria is hard to beat.
Easiest place to find it: Mega Mall Batam Centre, Nagoya Hill & Hang Nadim International Airport
4. Fore Coffee: The Batam experience coffee lovers shouldn’t miss
Photo source: East Ventures
Like ZUS Coffee and Luckin Coffee, Fore Coffee belongs to a new generation of café chains that blend quality coffee with technology. Ordering through the app, seamless digital payments, and rewards programmes run the front end, while data and IoT integrations run the backend.
And of course, the real star is the coffee itself.
While the signature drinks like the Gula Aren Latte, Butterscotch Sea Salt Latte, and Iced Pandan Latte remain favourites, Fore Coffee goes a step further to celebrate Indonesia’s status as a global coffee producer.
Instead of using a standard espresso blend, you can often choose single-origin Indonesian Arabica beans as the base for your drink. Depending on the season, you may even be able to choose beans from celebrated coffee-growing regions like Aceh Gayo, Toraja Sapan, or Bali Kintamani - each with its own unique flavour profile.
Pair your coffee with snacks from Fore Deli, which often include Indonesian-inspired treats such as Cakalang (smoked tuna) quiche, pandan cheese roll cake, or crispy tempeh chips and you’ve got the full cafe experience! If you’re the type who can spend twenty minutes talking about tasting notes and brewing methods, Fore is well worth a stop.
Easiest place to find it: Grand Batam Mall, Mega Mall Batam Centre
Easiest place to find it: Grand Batam Mall, Mega Mall Batam Centre
5. Es Teler 77: The inventor of Indonesia’s iconic dessert
Photo source: Es Teler 77 via Facebook
Before Es Teler 77 became one of Indonesia’s biggest restaurant chains, it started life as a humble roadside dessert stall in Jakarta back in 1982 after its co-founder won first place in an ice dessert-making competition.
Served over shaved ice, it’s a refreshing mix of creamy avocado, sweet jackfruit, strips of young coconut, condensed milk, syrup, and ice. It sounds unusual if you’ve never tried it before, but one spoonful explains why Indonesians have loved it for over four decades.
Beyond desserts, Es Teler 77’s menu includes generational favourites such as Bakso Super 77, Mie Ayam Pedas 77, and Nasi Goreng 77 - each one a comfort meal that pairs perfectly with a sweet finisher.
Surprisingly this is one brand that doesn’t have a shop in every Malaysian mall, making Batam one of the easiest places to finally tick it off your foodie bucket list.
Easiest place to find it: Mega Mall Batam Centre, Batam City Square Mall
Experience the authentic side of Indonesia, just a 90-minute ferry ride away
Photo source: Gokepri.com
One of the best parts about travelling to Batam is its authenticity. It’s not a place where food that locals actually eat is hidden in alleys off the main tourist path. In Batam, humble stalls, franchise chains, and fancy restaurants co-exist to provide the meals that locals genuinely enjoy.
So while seafood dinners and cafe hopping are always worth making time for, don’t overlook these iconic homegrown chains. They offer a delicious glimpse into Indonesia’s everyday food culture, often at prices that are just as satisfying as the meals themselves.
The best part? Batam is only a short ferry ride away. With regular ferry services departing from Berjaya Waterfront Ferry Terminal in Johor Bahru, it’s never been easier to hop across the strait for a weekend filled with shopping, sightseeing, and plenty of unforgettable food.
The only downside? You might find yourself wishing that they’ll open their doors in Malaysia.
- Looking for something fancier? Click here for the most unique and IG-worthy cafes in Batam
- Check out Berjaya Waterfront’s ferry schedule and book your tickets here!