There’s a unique spot in Jakarta offering travelers a genuinely different experience. It’s called Mie Sop Amanda.
This noodle shop doesn’t just serve North Sumatran specialties, it also combines the concept of a bookstore with a restaurant.
The moment you walk in, you’re greeted by tall shelves packed with books. In between them sit tables and chairs for dining. So while you eat, you’re literally surrounded by bookshelves.
What’s even more interesting is that visitors are allowed to read the books right there. It’s no surprise many people end up lingering for a while, eating while reading.
A Concept That Took Off on Social Media
This unique setup has led many visitors to share their experience on social media. That exposure has drawn even more travelers to stop by, sample the food, and experience dining among rows of neatly shelved books.
Visitor traffic is reflected in how many bowls the owner sells. Dumaria Simbolon, owner of Mie Sop Amanda, says around 200 bowls of food are sold every day.
Book sales have grown alongside the crowds as well.
Location and Opening Hours
Mie Sop Amanda is located at Jl. Kramat Raya, Jl. Komp. Maya Indah No. 5B, RT 4/RW 2, Kramat, Senen District, Central Jakarta.
The shop is open Tuesday through Sunday, from 10:00 AM to 9:00 PM (WIB). It’s closed every Monday.
Easy to Reach by TransJakarta
For those wanting to get there by public transportation, TransJakarta is a convenient option. The nearest stop to Mie Sop Amanda is the Jaga Jakarta TransJakarta stop.
From there, it’s a short walk to reach Mie Sop Amanda.
From Bookstore to Restaurant-Bookstore Hybrid
Before becoming known as a restaurant surrounded by books, Mie Sop Amanda actually started out purely as a bookstore, one that’s been operating since 1980.
Dumaria said the bookstore faced growing challenges as physical bookstores became increasingly quiet in today’s era. That’s where the idea to start a noodle soup business came from, while keeping the bookstore concept alive.
“This was originally a bookstore, dating back to 1980. Because bookstores today have gotten so quiet, I started cooking and taking pre-orders from home at first, and then it occurred to me to open up shop here,” Dumaria told stylist on Saturday (August 22, 2026).
This single space with two concepts combined officially opened on May 12, 2025. At first, visitors could only dine on the terrace. About five months in, the dining area was reorganized and moved inside the store.
The bookshelves were kept in place, allowing visitors to now eat while surrounded by books.
“When we first opened, it was just the terrace, we moved inside about 5 months later, in 2025,” the owner said.
Want to Read While You Eat? Go Ahead
Don’t be surprised if a visit here turns into more than just a meal. The bookshelves themselves are worth exploring, with more than five genres available. Choices range from fairly heavy nonfiction to light, casual novels. Prices vary too.
Books at Mie Sop Amanda are priced from around Rp 15,000 to Rp 200,000. Beyond being available for purchase, some books can also be read right there on the spot. Dumaria said quite a few visitors ask about this.
“A lot of people ask, ‘Kak, can I read the book?’ Oh yes, you can, as long as it’s not sealed,” Dumaria said.
So visitors can choose an unsealed book to read while enjoying their meal. That said, books should still be handled with care to avoid damage.
Get Ready to Be Spoiled for Choice on the Menu
Once you’ve picked out a book, don’t forget to order some food to go along with your reading time. Mie Sop Amanda offers a range of food and drinks priced from Rp 3,000 to Rp 30,000.
The menu originally focused solely on mie sop (noodle soup). Over time, more options were added, including dishes like mie gomak.
“So I started with just mie sop, then gradually added mie gomak, fried mie gomak, and mie gomak with broth,” Dumaria said.
Mie sop and mie gomak have become the shop’s signature dishes, both carrying the distinct flavors of North Sumatra. Beyond those two, there’s also mie pocal, served with peanut sauce, along with a variety of snacks and drinks.
So if eating while scrolling through your phone has become the norm, maybe it’s time to try eating with a book for company instead. Who knows, you might walk out with a full stomach, a new book in hand, and a genuinely fun experience from Mie Sop Amanda.
