Kasima Restaurant in Sentul Cultural Park, Promotes Indonesian Cuisine with a Modern Concept

Slightly different from most Indonesian restaurants, this place to eat in Sentul has succeeded in combining the concept of various traditional menus with modern buildings.

The restaurant, which is located in Taman Budaya, Sentul, West Java, is named Kasima. Its name is taken from the Sundanese language, namely tikasima which means fascinated.

"Simply put, kasima has the meaning of charm. My hope is that this restaurant concept can fascinate customers with what we make, both in terms of the menu and the place," said Wawat Sumarna, owner of the Kasima restaurant.

"The target is families, but I don't want to leave the target market for young people. That's why I created the concept of a modern place and family-friendly menu. So I married the two concepts," he added.

Kasima Restaurant consists of three floors with a total capacity of up to 140 people. There are indoor rooms, back outdoor rooms, terraces, and rooftops that can be a choice of places to eat.

The food at Kashima is also diverse. So far, most of them are from East Indonesia and West Java.

Some of them are Nasi Campur Kupang, Nasi Campur Rendang Sunda, Betutu Chicken, Siong Sira, Urab Bali, Sei Sapi, Sayur Ase Chili Green, Sate Lilit, and Bistik Sunda.

As for drinks, customers can choose Pitaloka Flower Tea, Kinasih Larah Kunyit Manis Kinanti Tea, Kaniraras Apples, and various coffees.

Kasima Restaurant, which is open every day at 09.00-22.00 WIB, sells one food or drink with a price range of Rp. 30,000 to Rp. 200,000.

No need to worry, Kasima also carries the concept of a middle meal, suitable for customers who come as a family or group so they are more efficient. 

Intention to introduce a variety of Indonesian food

Wawat said that the dishes at Kasima were not only limited to the typical menus of East Indonesia and West Java.

"In a comprehensive concept, Kasima will bring Nusantara food that has its own uniqueness," said Wawat to The Newbie Food, Tuesday (31/5/2022).

His intention is to introduce many Indonesian specialties that are less well known to the general public, especially young people.

"So if I ask today's children, do you know Siong Sira? I think it's young people who live in Eastern Indonesia who know, but if you live in Jakarta, I ask them, most of them don't know," said Wawat.

"From there, I want people to know that Indonesian food, especially Eastern Indonesia, is very delicious. That's why I brought East Indonesian food at first," he added.

It took Wawat a year to plan this concept and finally succeeded in establishing Kasima in early 2022.

Later, the menu at Kasima will be replaced every six months with Nusantara dishes from other regions.

"It will come out by series . So later, we will bring all Indonesian cuisine in one Kasima restaurant. The concept can be six months later, then other menus will come out, like the Sumatran theme or others," explained Wawat. 

The concept of Wawat's design is inseparable from the hard work of the team he has, especially the cooks who will process the Nusantara dishes.

"I am looking for chef who is quite competent. So I will tell him the menu and how to maintain its authenticity. Product tests are always carried out before it reaches the public directly," said Wawat.

During menu changes from other regions, Wawat said, Kasima would maintain some of signature .

The restaurant owner who loves to eat and has a business education background hopes that he can introduce more Indonesian specialties to young people.

Not only in Sentul, Wawat also plans to build new restaurant branches in other cities.

"My closest dream is to be able to enter the youth area, namely to open several new branches from Kasima while waiting for time and finalizing the concept, as well as the team," concluded Wawat. 

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