Indonesian Groceries and Snacks in Los Angeles

Dining out is great, but sometimes you just want to cook a quick meal in your apartment or snack on some familiar treats while studying. Finding specific Indonesian spices (bumbu), sweet soy sauce (Kecap Manis), or specialized snacks can be tough at standard American grocery stores. Luckily, Los Angeles has several dedicated spots where you can stock up on all your pantry essentials.

Adjacent to their restaurant in Palms, Simpang Asia runs a fully stocked Indonesian grocery store. It is incredibly convenient for SMC students. You can find everything from Indomie in every flavor imaginable, to ABC Sambal, Tolak Angin, Teh Botol, and a wide variety of frozen foods. They also carry freshly made Jajanan Pasar (traditional market snacks) near the register, such as Lemper and Kue Lapis.

For freshly made street food and snacks that you cannot find in stores, you should keep an eye on community events. The Indonesian Consulate (KJRI) in Los Angeles frequently hosts weekend bazaars and cultural events. These gatherings are the best places in the city to find pop-up vendors selling fresh Martabak Manis (sweet thick pancake), Sate Babi, and Es Teler. Make sure to follow KJRI Los Angeles and local PERMIAS chapters on Instagram to stay updated on these events.

While not exclusively Indonesian, large pan-Asian supermarkets like 99 Ranch Market and H-Mart carry a solid selection of Southeast Asian staples. If you just need the basics like coconut milk, lemongrass, galangal, or basic brands of Kecap Manis, these larger chains are highly reliable and have locations scattered all across the greater Los Angeles area.