Sumiya Japanese restaurant is truly the personification of a hidden gem in Jakarta. Located in the STC building, where unassumingly people go to buy aesthetic bicycles and electronic equipment, this restaurant sticks out like a sore thumb. Once you pass the curtain door, you are transported to what feels like a genuine restaurant in Kyoto, thanks to its Machiya design concept.

As soon as they open for business at 11:30, you can expect a few lines of customers already waiting outside, and most of them are all Japanese. You walk in along their dark zig-zag paths with no windows, with the anticipation that things will only get much better after this.

The conceptualization and how they put together their menu is what makes Sumiya special among the many other Japanese restaurants in Jakarta. They have their Lunch set menus, then their soup sections, starters, appetizers, and then you move on to one of their favourite sections which is the Sumi yaki; which is grilled meats and vegetables cooked with special Japanese charcoal that is chemical free, smoke free and burns way hotter than most conventional coal. You will of course find a sashimi section, salads, something for the vegetarians and the list goes on and on. Variety is simply endless, but the best part of Sumiya is that they don’t make any concession on the taste and cooking style.
 
For starters, we definitely recommend you start with the Maguro Avocado Tar-Tar Salad. Aside from the freshness guaranteed, the presentation seems like something they picked up from a Michelin star restaurant. To counterbalance the subtle and refreshing tar-tar, we recommend you try the Kara Kara Nabe which is a hearty, sweet and spicy bean paste soup with chicken and vegetables where you get to choose level one to three.
 
Sumiya also does great promos time to time and sometimes if you order a bottle of their Sake, you get Japanese Amuse-bouches that are simply novel and succulent.

Food is very reasonably priced and the service is amazing, and if you are confused as to what to order, the waitress will surely give you a proper run down.