Dancers practise for the second Indonesian Cultural Fair.

THE Parkroyal Hotel grand ballroom was bursting at the seams with Indonesian chefs and dancers last weekend as they prepared for the second Indonesian Culinary and Cultural Fair, being held from August 10 to 18.

The week features a variety of Indonesian dishes for sampling, Indonesian craft stalls and music concerts and performances by professional Indonesian dancers.

Lunch is available at US$10 per person, dinner for $14 and children under 8 dine for free.

“The aim of this occasion is to celebrate and promote Indonesia with a variety of national dishes,” said Philemon Arobaya from the Embassy of the Republic of Indonesia. “Indonesia has more than 2000 sub tribes and each one has its own dishes.”

From Indonesian yellow rice, used for celebrations, to prawn sambal and beef chicken soup, the fair features all of the nation’s famous and not-so-famous specialties.

“The dishes will be prepared by Indonesian chefs and will cater to foreigners’ tastes. They will be served exactly as they are served back home,” said Mr Arobaya.

Indonesian food is made with many herbs and spices and is considered by some to be spicy. Many signature dishes feature chili as one of the main ingredients.

“It’s not much different to the level of spiciness of dishes in Myanmar, so I think most people will like it.”

This is the second time the fair is being held in Myanmar and the Embassy is already planning a third for next July.

“ It’s an interexchange of culture and cuisine” said Mr Yap Tsok Faung.
Around 40 to 50 different traditional meals are being served throughout the eight days and only 20 percent of them will be repeated.

Yap Tsok Faung, food and beverage manager at the Parkroyal Hotel, said that the reason the fair is being held is to promote Indonesia, which he feels is a country that Myanmar people do not know well.

“It is a chance for the two cultures to compare food and to promote new creations based on the signature dishes of Indonesia,” he said.

Parkroyal’s head chef is currently in Singapore promoting Myanmar cuisine.