Mallgoers had the rare opportunity to savor authentic Indonesian spices and specialties, as well as modern food concepts during the recently concluded two-day Indonesian Food Festival at the SM Megamall Event Center.
A joint project of the Embassy of the Republic of Indonesia – Manila and SM Megamall, the event featured Indonesian culinary specialties from different restaurants and brands.
His Excellency Sinyo Harry Sarundajang, Ambassador of the Indonesian Embassy in Manila, led the ceremonial gong during the event launch. Gibran Rakabuming Raka, son of Indonesian President Joko Widodo was also present. SM senior vice president for marketing communications Millie F. Dizon and SM Megamall assistant mall manager Tiffany Tanjoined the esteemed guests.
Guests enjoyed both traditional Indonesian cuisine such as Nasi Goreng, Indonesia’s signature stir fried rice; Telur Pindang or cracked hard boiled eggs boiled again in spices; Sate Ayam or grilled chicken served with peanut sauce; Lemper or sticky rice stuffed with chicken meat and wrapped in banana leaves; and Bakwan Sayur or vegetable fritters.
The food festival also served sweet delicacies like Kue Lumpur or mud cake with chocolate or cheese toppings; Cendol or green rice flour jelly with palm sugar and coconut milk; and Klepon or rice cake stuffed with palm sugar.
Guests were also delighted to try out new concepts. Martabak Manis or pancake topped with chopped chocolate or cheese was a favorite among foodies. Food franchise Markobar, owned by Gibran Rakabuming Raka, featured unique varieties of Martabak Manis with either chopped Kit Kat Chocolate, Kit Kat Green Tea, Nutella, or cheese toppings.
Indonesian restaurants and companies that participated in the food fest included Arema Tempe, Bakmi Nyonya, Bali Ayu, Frida’s Kitchen, Gorengan Indonesia, H&H Bakso, Indonesian Christian Fellowship Makati, Mayora, Oma’s Kitchen, Pempek Cek Evi, Reddimart Multi-Resources, Inc., Restoran Garuda, Unitry Masakan Padang, and Warung Kapitolyo.
Companies based in Indonesia such as Markobar, Niners’ Kitchen, O3-IPB Bogor, and Pondan Foods also joined the event.
The food festival also highlighted Indonesia’s rich culture with performances of Tari Pendet or Welcome Dance and Tetengkoren Dance with accompaniment of traditional musical instrument called kolintang. Meanwhile, children from the Rosalie Rendu Development Center performed Philippine folk dance Bakya.
Proceeds from the event will go to Rosalie Rendu Development Center, Inc., a community-based social welfare agency in Parañaque City and Madrasah Darul Firdaus, an Islamic School in Maharlika Village, Taguig.