Despite the onslaught of modern culinary trends, traditional cuisine still have a place in the hearts of Indonesians. Many cafes and restaurants serve traditional menus that are never empty.
Quite a few of these cafes have a special history, like Kawisari Cafe & Eatery. Located in Kebon Sirih, Central Jakarta, this cafe tells the story of the oldest coffee plantation in Blitar since 1870.
Upon entering this Dutch-style building, you will be greeted with a view of the bar and high stools. Kawisari consists of 2 floors with more dining space upstairs. There is also an outdoor space near the entrance and a terrace space on the 2nd floor.
The Idea of Kawisari Café & Eatery
Kawisari Café & Eatery has a concept inspired by the coffee plantation that was brought to the capital. The plantation located in Blitar, East Java is the oldest coffee plantation established since 1870.
The main product of this coffee plantation is Robusta due to its location which is not too high at 600 to 1,000 meters above sea level (masl). The surface area reaches 800 to 1,000 hectares. Kawisari then serves a premium blend of Robusta and Arabica for coffee drinks in cafes.
Traditional Menus typical of East Java
Speaking of Kawisari’s menu, of course it’s not just coffee, this place also has dozens of traditional menus. One dish worth trying is the Tompoh Kawisari Corn Rice (Rp 55,000).
This dish is special because it is often sold by coffee farmers during the harvest season. The corn rice is placed in a bamboo basket covered with banana leaves to look like a basket.
Complete side dishes are placed on top of the rice. There is crispy fried chicken, salted chicken feather fish, pomade, sambal tempe and vegetable lodeh. The corn rice has a nice yellow color. The texture is soft and chewy even though it is made only from corn kernels.
Traditional Menus Coffee-based
Visit to Kawisari is not complete without a taste of the coffee menu. The coffee that comes from Kawisari’s plantation is more than just an ordinary coffee, and even won the 2019 AVPA France Gourmet Award for Best Java Robusta Coffee in the strong, powerful and bitter category.
Signature Ice Coffee (Rp 61,000), for example, is an iced latte with a luxurious feel. The espresso is made from Kawisari’s signature premium blend of Arabica and Robusta, which we believe balances the acidity and bitterness.
The creamy blend makes this drink even more delicious and creamy. It’s more like an iced latte where most of the ingredients are milk. It has a sweet taste that makes it perfect for quenching your thirst.