If you’ve ever had wagyu steak and immediately understood why it costs more than regular beef, this article was written for you. We want to tell you about a menu item we built with serious intention: The California. This isn’t just a burger with a cool name. It’s the combination of two things that are each notoriously hard to execute well, wagyu pastrami and a double-smashed cheeseburger, brought together in a single dish at Belly Bandit, Menteng, Central Jakarta.

What Is Wagyu Pastrami, and Why Is It Different from a Regular Burger?

Before we get into the menu itself, it helps to understand the two key elements that set this burger apart from almost everything else in Jakarta.

Wagyu: More Than a Name, It’s About Marbling

Wagyu is a Japanese cattle breed known for its intramuscular fat distribution, what the culinary world calls marbling. The higher the marbling score, the more tender, juicy, and flavor-rich the meat becomes when cooked. The wagyu we use for our pastrami at Belly Bandit is MB5, marble score 5, meaning the fat distribution is even and high enough to produce a noticeably tender texture and complex flavor. This isn’t wagyu used as a marketing buzzword. You’ll taste the difference in every single bite.

Pastrami: A Process You Can’t Rush

Pastrami isn’t just smoked meat. The process is long: the meat is first brined, submerged in a salt and spice solution, for several days to let the flavors penetrate deep into the muscle fibers. Then it’s low-and-slow smoked until the texture hits exactly the right point: tender without being mushy, aromatic without being overpowering. The wagyu pastrami we make at Belly Bandit is brined for 7 days before it’s smoked. Seven days isn’t a number we picked randomly, it’s the window we found produces the deepest, most well-rounded flavor from MB5 wagyu.

"Had the wagyu pastrami sandwich and honestly it blew me away. The meat is incredibly tender and you can taste how much work went into it. Will be back just for this." - Google Review

Meet The California

The California was born from one simple question: what if we put the wagyu pastrami we make for our sandwich… on top of a burger? The result is a menu item that’s genuinely in a class of its own in Central Jakarta.

What’s in It?

• Wagyu pastrami, deli-style, sliced thin, juicy and aromatic
• Double-smashed beef patty, two patties smashed down on a hot griddle until the edges are caramelized and crispy, while the inside stays juicy
• Yellow cheddar cheese, melted between the layers of patty
• Dijonnaise coleslaw, a creamy coleslaw with Dijon mustard that adds acidity and crunch to cut through the richness of the wagyu and patty
• Signature toasted bun, Belly Bandit’s house bun, sturdy enough to hold everything together without falling apart in your hands

All of that in one burger. That’s The California.

The California

What Does It Taste Like?

We won’t tell you this is “the best burger in Jakarta”, taste is personal. But we can walk you through what happens at every layer. First bite: the bun is slightly crunchy on the outside, soft on the inside, and it immediately gives way to the tender, aromatic wagyu pastrami. Then comes the melted cheddar, and two smashed patties delivering a contrast in texture, crispy edges, juicy center. At the same time, the Dijonnaise coleslaw brings freshness and a touch of acidity that keeps the whole burger from feeling too heavy. It’s a detail that’s easy to overlook but absolutely critical, without it, the burger could easily tip into overwhelming. The result is a burger that’s complex without being confusing. Every element is there for a reason.

The California vs. Bandit Beef Pastrami Sandwich: Which One Should You Get?

This is a question we hear often from first-time guests at Belly Bandit. The Bandit Beef Pastrami Sandwich is all about the pastrami itself, 150 grams of wagyu pastrami as the star, with hectic sauce and yellow cheese in a supporting role. The pastrami flavor is more dominant, more forward. The California is about balance between pastrami and burger. The wagyu pastrami here plays as a layer that completes the double-smashed patty, two elements that stand side by side, neither one dominating the other.

Bandit Beef Pastrami Sandwich

If you want the purest pastrami experience: go with the Bandit Beef Pastrami Sandwich.
If you want the most complex, satisfying burger: go with The California.
If you can’t decide, bring a friend and order both.

The Best Way to Enjoy The California

Eat it immediately. Smashed patties lose their texture pretty quickly after coming off the grill. The California is at its best within the first five minutes of being served.
Don’t cut it in half. We get it, it looks more manageable. But cutting a smashed burger changes the sauce distribution and changes the experience of every bite. Hold it with both hands and go straight in.
Pair it with a milkshake, not a hot drink. The richness of the wagyu and double patty is best complemented by something cold and creamy. Our personal favorite pairing for The California is the Chocolate Peanut Butter Milkshake.

 Chocolate Peanut Butter Milkshake

Recommended Sides

• Waffle fries, crispy, light, and neutral enough not to compete with the burger
• Tots, crispy potato tots, great for sharing at the table
• Chocolate Peanut Butter Milkshake, thick and memorable

If you want to explore our other burgers before deciding:

• Bandit Burger, our classic signature blend patty
• Bandit Coffee Burger, for those curious about a coffee-infused patty

Find Us at Belly Bandit

Belly Bandit, American Comfort Food & All Day Dining
Location: Jl. Sam Ratulangi No. 25, Menteng, Central Jakarta
Hours: Open daily, 7:00 AM – 9:00 PM
Parking: Valet available
Reservations: Available upon request
Delivery: GoFood · GrabFood

FAQ

What is a wagyu burger?

A wagyu burger uses beef from wagyu cattle, a Japanese breed known for its high marbling, resulting in a noticeably more tender texture and richer flavor than standard beef. At Belly Bandit, wagyu is used in pastrami form for both The California and the Bandit Beef Pastrami Sandwich.

Where can I get a wagyu burger in Jakarta?

One of the top options for wagyu burger in Jakarta is The California at Belly Bandit, located at Jl. Sam Ratulangi No. 25, Menteng, Central Jakarta. The dish combines MB5 wagyu pastrami with a double-smashed cheeseburger, Dijonnaise coleslaw, and our signature bun.

What’s the difference between The California and the Bandit Beef Pastrami Sandwich?

The California is a burger that combines wagyu pastrami with a double-smashed patty, both elements playing equal roles. The Bandit Beef Pastrami Sandwich puts pastrami front and center with 150 grams of wagyu pastrami as the main event. Both use MB5 wagyu brined for 7 days and smoked.

Is Belly Bandit open for lunch?

Yes. Belly Bandit is open every day from 7:00 AM to 9:00 PM. All menu items, including The California, are available throughout operating hours.

Can I order Belly Bandit’s wagyu burger for delivery?

Yes, Belly Bandit is available on GoFood and GrabFood. For the best experience, we recommend dining in, smashed burgers are at their peak when eaten fresh off the grill.