Lara Djonggrang: Romanticizing ancient Indonesian Kingdom
updated the 7 October 2015 à 00:04
Every corner of this dining palace gives a gasping effect. Expect to be wowed!
Located in the neighbourhood of Menteng in Central Jakarta, Lara Djonggrang was a historical residence rebuilt upon the same layout. A centuries-old banyan tree dressed with eclectic lamps welcomes the patrons. As the door of this restaurant swings wide open, one might expect to drop the first “wow!” over the colorful room filled with massive statues and paintings.
Owner and founder of Tugu Hotels Group is among the biggest art collectors in Asia. Lara Djonggrang – one of the many properties – houses not only antiquities from all over Indonesia, but also Cambodia, Myanmar, China, the Middle East, and other exotic parts of the world. Some of the columns to support this building are strong and solid wood from old temples. The doors, the mirrors, the lamps – all are genuine artifacts from the olden days. Going further inside every single room in this establishment feels exactly like travelling back in time to the golden days of Majapahit Kingdom that dominated the Archipelago in the 14th Century.
Lara Djonggrang is the name of a warrior princess in a folklore from Central Java. Her father was killed by a prince named Bandung Bondowoso who came from another kingdom. The prince was bedazzled by the beauty of the princess, and asked for her hand in marriage. The princess requested the prince to build no less than a thousand temples in one night for her. The mystical prince used his magic to accomplish the task. Before the 1,000th temple was built, the princess staged a fake sunrise. Furious of this deception, the prince cursed Lara Djonggrang and turned her to become a stone.
The stone statue of princess is placed right opposite of the statue of Bandung Bondowoso in the restaurant. Amidst the fabled atmosphere, an array of Indonesian dishes that originate from many parts of the country are served in a royal manner. The chefs make sure that each dish is made according to original recipes that have been passed down from generation to generation.
Indeed the menu can be overwhelming. When in doubt, go for Pasar Nelayan, or The Fishermen’s Market, where fresh catches of the day – fishes, shrimps, prawns, crabs, mussels – are served on a mini canoe to bring a party to the table. The satays are another easy pick. Aromatic Rujak Soto Bayuwangi is a “soup” to make a warm appetizer. They also have a dedicated chef to create many kinds of “sambal” (chilli paste), so do not hesitate to try any of them. Get the Bandrek Kelapa Muda – young coconut with a bunch of herbs – for cold dessert. The La Bihzad Bar is a cool place to unwind with cocktails, wine, and sangrias.
Either after dinner or while waiting for the food to come, the staff are more than happy to take guests for a short tour around the property. Most of them could answer the questions about the history, the legend, as well as the art collection housed in Lara Djonggrang. Isn’t it cool to have a quick history lesson while having a delicious feast? We would head there again in a heartbeat!
Lara Djonggrang is located in Jalan Teuku Cik Di Tiro 4, Menteng, Central Jakarta, Indonesia. (Tel. +62-21-3153252, 3162088)
Ve Handojo
