Visiting one of the greatest culinary capitals in the world—London—only to eat Indonesian food might sound foolish. A city brimming with multicultural flavors and Michelin-starred restaurants surely offers more than dishes I can get back home, right? 
And yet, when I came to visit my little sister in the UK, curiosity got the better of me. That’s how I found myself inside a small, cozy Indonesian coffee shop with a perfectly fitting name: Ngopi UK.

Ngopi UK first opened in Birmingham in 2018, making it the city's first and only independent Indonesian coffee shop. Their mission is simple yet admirable: to introduce and promote Indonesian coffee and cuisine to the UK. After gaining popularity at events like the London and Birmingham Coffee Festivals, the team expanded and launched a second location—this time in London.
And where better than Hackney? Known as London’s trendy, hipster haven, Hackney was even crowned one of the coolest neighborhoods in the world by Vogue magazine. With its rich mix of cultures, creativity, and cuisine, it’s the perfect home for an international coffee shop like Ngopi UK. 
Fittingly, it stands confidently across from another cult favorite, Allpress Espresso (a spot my sister tells me is a favorite of Charli XCX).
The moment I stepped inside, I was hit with a wave of nostalgia. The scent of freshly fried gorengan and rich Indonesian coffee instantly transported me back home. A miniature 'becak' near the entrance added charm, and while the interior was minimal, it had enough warmth to stir up a longing to book the next flight to Jakarta.

The barista welcomed me with a smile and typical Indonesian warmth, guiding me through the menu that immediately triggered my homesick cravings. They offer everything from classic Indomie goreng and rebus, to regional snacks like pempek Palembang, batagor, and tempe mendoan. You’ll also find hearty peanut-based dishes like gado-gado and ketoprak, and beloved street food desserts like roti bakar and pisang goreng. 
For spice lovers, they even serve ayam penyet and ayam cabe ijo—not for the faint of heart. Still nursing a mild stomachache from the night before, I opted for something milder: a comforting bowl of Bakso Malang (meatball soup) and a side of tahu isi.
The drinks menu was just as impressive. Alongside espresso, cappuccino, and lattes, Ngopi UK proudly features Indonesian favorites like kopi tubruk, teh tarik, milo dinosaur, soda gembira, and the one I ordered: kopi susu. Their beans are roasted in-house using Indonesian-made equipment, which they say brings out the full depth and aroma of the coffee.

And oh, the kopi susu. It was like catching up with a childhood friend. Sweet, bold, and familiar. The balance between condensed milk and coffee was spot on—neither overwhelming the other.  Coffee purists might turn their nose up at it, but for those of us who grew up in Indonesia, this is nostalgia in a glass.
As for the tahu isi—it was phenomenal. The cook battered and fried it right in front of me, and you could taste the freshness. Crispy outside, soft and flavorful inside, with a well-seasoned filling. At around £6–7, it's not the cheapest snack, but with five generously sized pieces, it's perfect for sharing.
The Bakso Malang, while good, didn’t quite hit the mark. The meatballs and fried pangsit were delicious, but the broth lacked the rich, meaty depth I was hoping for. It felt a bit too clean, almost restrained. Still, I found myself finishing every last drop.

All in all, my visit to Ngopi UK was a heartwarming experience. I left feeling proud—proud that Indonesian food and culture are being celebrated and enjoyed thousands of miles from home. I hope to see more Indonesian establishments spring up across the world, making our cuisine more accessible and appreciated globally.

Bravo, Ngopi UK. I’ll definitely be back to ‘ngopi’ there again.

Locations:
Birmingham: 40 Ludgate Hill, Birmingham B3 1ER, United Kingdom
London: 78 Dalston Ln, London E8 3AH, United Kingdom

Written and Picture by: Gandira Pratama