Get Ready to Sip and Savor
Ever dropped by Pantjoran Tea House? It’s a real gem for foodies in Glodok. With its historic charm, amazing interior decor, and a menu that’s hard to resist, it’s no surprise this place is buzzing, with plenty of influencers sharing it all over social media. Plus, it’s the perfect spot to mark special occasions like birthdays, engagements, and even Chinese New Year. So, if you’re curious about Pantjoran Tea House, read on!
Location and History of Pantjoran Tea House
This trendy Chinese-style tea house is the talk of the town on social media. It’s situated right across Plaza Glodok, at 4-6 Pancoran Street. Its prime location is at the “southern gateway” to Jakarta’s historic Batavia Wall, making it the front door to Indonesia’s largest Chinatown.
The place was formerly the Chung Hwa drugstore, Jakarta’s oldest pharmacy. After decades of being deserted, the provincial government renovated it, turning it into a symbol of Glodok and the hottest tea spot in town. Not just because of its history, but also because of its cool design. Inside, you’ll find classic Chinatown vibes with red lanterns, traditional paintings, and big Chinese-style windows. No wonder it’s a top recommendation for celebrating Chinese New Year.
Discover the Patekoan Tradition
At Pantjoran Tea House, you’ll stumble upon something unique – the preserved patekoan tradition. “Patekoan” comes from “pa” meaning “eight” and “teiko” meaning “teapot.” So, literally, patekoan is all about eight teapots.
The tradition goes back to Captain Gan Djie, a Chinese descendant during the Batavia era. Captain Gan Djie and his wife were known for their kindness and concern for the community.
In 1663, they noticed tired and thirsty folks passing by, so they placed eight teapots at their office’s front. Anyone could have a cup of tea for free. This tradition of having eight teapots on the porch continued as a symbol of togetherness.
The concept of “patekoan” has been revived at Pantjoran Tea House, where you can still see eight large teapots filled with tea on the front porch. Although they’ve had to stop serving free tea during the COVID-19 pandemic, you can still take great photos with the teapots.
Experience Gong Fu Cha Tea Brewing
Every table at this tea house comes with a set of Gong Fu Cha tea brewing gear. This art of tea brewing is a big deal here, once used to greet nobles in the Qing Dynasty. Nowadays, it’s a way to honor guests, express love, say sorry, or just enjoy tea with the family.
Gong Fu Cha tea brewing can also be a form of meditation. The slow and careful moves require focus and mindfulness. If you’re up for it, you can even try brewing your own tea. But if it seems tricky, you can always ask for help from a tea assistant. They offer 25 quality tea varieties to suit your taste, like white tea, oolong tea, pu’er tea, black tea, green tea, and more.
One must-try tea here is xi hu long jing, made with the Gong Fu Cha method. This premium green tea is packed with skin-friendly antioxidants and has a delicate, pleasant aroma for those who like milder tea flavors.
Pantjoran Tea House’s Star Menu
This place isn’t only known for tea – their food is amazing too. You can enjoy a range of authentic Chinese dishes, like Pantjoran sauce chicken and Pantjoran fish maw soup.
Their MSG-free dim sum is a hit, especially the crispy prawn spring roll with fried tofu skin, served with sweet and sour sauce. You can’t miss the soft and crunchy pan-fried Shanghai buns. They also serve classics like kung pao chicken, fuyunghai, chives fried noodles, and kailan, all-time favorites at a Chinese restaurant.
You can even warm up with chicken ginseng soup, ideal for rainy days or when you’re feeling under the weather. The best part? The menu is entirely halal, making it accessible for Muslim visitors.
So, that’s the lowdown on Pantjoran Tea House, creating a buzz on social media. It’s the historic vibes, authentic eats, and halal-friendly choices that have won people over. Ready to check it out?
