Welcome to Salt Bread Diaries part 08! We have finally landed in Jakarta’s very own cradle of viral delicacies: Blok M. To be more specific: Gang Viral Blok M. Situtated in the alley is Little Salt Bread, a bakery slash coffee shop that attracts so many customers, it sells out most of their menu past noon.
I came around 3 PM on Monday, and people were still flocking around the entrance. Contrary to its polished neighbors, Little Salt Bread’s facade has already showed the usual Jaksel’s charm. It might look like a proyek mangkrak, yet you know everything was strategically purposed to create a hip, careless and chill vibe. It’s all about a balance of mess and quirk. The exposed ceiling with fancy hanging lamps. The bare walls with unusual choice of decor (the knitted horses was my favorite). Or the silver SMEG stand mixer that was supposed to be in the kitchen, yet it was put like a trophy near the dining area.
Going through Blok M’s crowd was never an easy task, and I was already worn out at that time. I was supposed to buy two flavors like the usual, but they already sold out the plain salt bread. Given my weariness, I bought only one garlic salt bread to eat right away.
Was this little garlic salt bread a reward for the time spent on queuing and enduring Jakarta’s humidity? Well……. no.
They didn’t reheat the bread!!! I have now declared that it’s a crime for a salt bread joint not to reheat their own salt bread!!! All that hype, all that waiting, just for a cold bread. Was it my fault again for not requesting it to be reheated?? Well, the Karen in me blamed their standard operating procedure for not taking this seriously. Reheating a salt bread – that is best consumed warm and crisp – is supposed to be without question. At least they could ask if I wanted it hot or not!
The follow-up question: was it still good despite the condition? The bread was not bad, but it was not good either. I didn’t recall the taste to leave me any impression. It was pretty oily, too. Price wise, it was a little bit cheap compared to the other renowned bakeries in Jakarta, just shy of IDR 20,000. But of course I would rather spending more time queuing and money for a certain finer quality or I would just go to a fuss-free bakery chain for an even more affordable enjoyment.
Final thoughts:
Food: 6/10 | Service: 7/10 | Ambience: 6/10
I don’t get the hype, please make sure to ask for reheat to debunk my opinion. Not suitable for hangout since the place is hot and packed.
Little Salt Bread
Jl. Melawai 3 No.6, Blok M | Melawai, Jakarta Selatan
Opening hours: 10 AM – 8 PM
