Reviving Batik in Jakarta: Preserving The City’s Textile Artisans

Unlike Solo, Pekalongan, Yogyakarta, Cirebon or Lasem, Jakarta is not on the radar when we think of batik producing regions. At least, it’s no longer on the radar, as Jakarta was once one of the main hubs for batik-making, complete with its own motifs and styles. So, what happened? Here we explore the history of

Preserving Traditional Indonesian Food

Indonesia is a mosaic of thousands of islands, and each island has its own culinary traditions, thus creating a huge mosaic of culinary diversity, possibly unmatched anywhere. And in Indonesia, food is not just the physical consumption of those unique flavours, but a window into the soul of its people. Food offers an immersive experience

Glodok, Jakarta’s Historical Chinatown

The Glodok Pancoran area in West Jakarta is a window into the Chinese culture beyond its homeland. Against a vibrant backdrop of cultural diversity, this bustling area offers a paradise of luscious food, heritage sites, colourful temples filled with incense, encounters with intriguing personalities, and enticing bargain hunts. Delving into the old buildings reveals the

Un-Yang-Kor-Dai: Authentic Isaan Thai Cuisines Opens in Jakarta

Originally from Khao Yai, a region of northeastern Thailand, Un-Yang-Kor-Dai makes a grand entrance into Jakarta in the vibrant locale of East Coast, PIK. The restaurant stands out for offering a unique blend of Thai and Isaan flavours, delivered with perfect authenticity. When it comes to Thai cuisine, authenticity is key. It’s about balancing sweet,

Gigi Balang: A Classic Betawi Ornament

Gigi balang is a traditional Betawi pattern often used in vernacular architecture. Beyond simple decoration, this ornamental pattern is symbolic of a Betawi philosophy on life. The term gigi balang comes from gigi belalang, or ‘grasshopper teeth’. This comes from the idea that grasshoppers, on their pursuit to bite their way through wood, can only do

GBK: Jakarta’s Legendary Landmark Undergoing Transformation

The Gelora Bung Karno Sports Complex (GBK) is currently undergoing a transformation in land use, adopting a multifunctional and inclusive approach to elevate its status as a leading sports hub and a world-class venue for cultural, entertainment, and tourism events in Southeast Asia. Born from the visionary thoughts of Indonesia’s first president, Soekarno, GBK was

Bubur Ase: A Special Betawi Porridge

At the beginning of the 20th century, bubur ase was a popular food among Batavia residences and was a mainstay for Betawi society. A bowl of this special rice porridge, full of nutritious condiments, warmed stomachs and provided sustenance for the day. Other than being a favourite breakfast meal, the dish is an example of

Doha: Honouring History in an Ultra-Modern City

Qatar, powered by the great wealth of their natural resources, have since channeled their endowments into growing its cities and experiences, transforming this Middle-east nation into something of the future. Now, old desert forts contrast the hyper-modern cityscapes, especially that of Doha, the capital and hub of Qatar’s evolution. TouchIng down at the Hamad International

Pasar Baru: Jakarta’s Historic Shopping Arcade

Specifically built by the Dutch Colonial government to accommodate the shopping cravings of European and Dutch elites in Batavia, Pasar Baru — or Passer Baroe, as it was called then — became a melting pot of communities and ethnicities, from Chinese, Indians, Europeans, and even Malays. Considered the city’s oldest shopping arcade, Pasar Baru continues

BASAibu Wiki: Conserving Indonesia’s Local Dialects through Digitisation

There are 718 identified native languages in this multi-tribal country of Indonesia, making it the second most linguistically diverse country in the world, after Papua New Guinea. The diversity of languages reflects the incontestable wealth of differing ways of life, and thus cultures and identity. But the nation’s big concern is that these native languages,

Buku Betawi: Palang Pintu, A Unique Betawi Proposal Tradition

Palang Pintu is one of the unique Betawi wedding traditions, seen as the test of ‘approval’ that the groom must receive from the bride and indeed her family. It is imbued with symbolism and is a tradition that showcases the different facets of Betawi culture. For Betawi men, there are a series of ‘tests’ that must

Episode Gading Serpong Hosts a Two-Day Wedding Open House

Experience a 2-day wedding open house at Hotel Episode Gading Serpong and don’t miss out the chance to discover a range of exclusive offers from curated wedding vendors, exciting activities, special offers, and benefits for beloved couples.  Wedding Open House returns at the Hotel Episode Gading Serpong with the theme Love Around the World. This

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