.png)
Tea shops may not as popular as a coffee shops. However, in Chinatown Glodok, Jakarta, there is Pantjoran Tea House which is worth a visit for tea lover. Besides that, you also can taste the delicious Chinese cuisine while enjoying the oriental atmosphere of the past.
Previously, this place was the Chung Hwa Pharmacy which had been established in 1928. After being neglected for many years, the Jakarta Old Town Revitalization Corporation (JOTRC) took the initiative to restore this building into a tea shop. The idea was inspired by the story of Gan Jie, a Chinese captain in 1663 who always provided 8 free teapots for anyone who passed in front of his house.
Nowadays, the tradition of drinking tea is preserved by serving a variety of teas in The Patjoran Tea House. You can taste Japanese sencha to classic English teas, such as Earl Gray and English Breakfast. I tried Refreshing Oolong Tea for 38000 IDR. The taste of iced oolong tea mixed with honey, fresh mint leaves, and orange slices refreshes my body in the hot sun.
In addition to serving a variety of teas and culinary delights, Pantjoran Tea House also often organizes various activities related to tea culture such as Japanese-style tea ceremony workshops. I haven't had a chance to try it yet but it seems interesting. I will try it on my next visit.