Locating Jungen Joint among the decades-old houses of Gang Kelinci can be tricky. With no signage announcing its presence, the only telltale sign you’ve arrived at the right place is the plain facade of an old home with yellowing walls and a white chain-link gate. Or, maybe it’s the warm welcome from the mother-and-son duo behind the eatery, Dewi Kurniawati and Juan Antonino Dharmajungen.
Since its opening in 2022, the duo has slowly moulded the homegrown business as a token of memory for the late husband and father, photographer and artist Nico Dharmajungen. Set up on the terrace of the Dharmajungen family home in Pasar Baru, Jungen Joint takes cues from its surroundings to establish itself as a simple family-owned eatery, with no more than a retro sofa, a two-seater table, and a simple high-top with four stools overlooking the busy street.
“My dad was someone who values the tradition of eating together on the dining table as a family, and it’s a fond childhood memory of mine,” recalled Juan with a smile. “But that has gotten lost amidst the fast-paced demands of Jakarta’s hustle and bustle. Nowadays, food just becomes a way to fill your stomach.” Jungen Joint seeks to provide more than that, aiming to create a space for diners to reconnect with food and make memories from it.
For inspiration, he looked no further than the simple, humble sandwich that his late father used to make him for breakfast. But instead of sandwiches, he developed smash burgers—something more familiar to the city’s food scene.
If it’s the classic smash burger you prefer, go for the Jungen Signature, where a blend of Middle Eastern spices lend to the warm and fragrant flavours of the specialty patties they are known for. The burger is further completed with a slice of cheddar cheese and Ibu Dewi’s thousand island-like special sauce, which adds notes of sweetness and a creamy mouthfeel, all sandwiched between homemade brioche buns.
For a bigger punch, double down on the beef with the double cheeseburger Jungen+. Or, go all the way with The Franck, where the signature is upgraded with the addition of onion rings, a sunny-side-up egg, and beef bacon for a harmonious play on textures. Complete the meal with a side of potato wedges or French fries and a glass of ice-cold Root Beer.
Despite its association with fast food, the burgers at Jungen Joint and the homey setup suggest there’s no rush to leave, whether it’s friends who seek a cosy hangout or a big family where everyone from the grandparents to the little children sit, dine, and converse with one another.
