Wanandi brothers launch Japanese fast food restaurant<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): Four brothers got together and a restaurant was
\ncreated. It was as simple as that.<\/p>\n
The Japanese fast food restaurant, Dondon, is the venture of
\nthe Wanandi brothers (the sons of Jusuf Wanandi, chairman of
\nCentre for Strategic and International Studies): Judi, Ary, Dani
\nand Doni.<\/p>\n
The story began when the four went to Singapore and ate
\nJapanese style pancakes at the Marian.<\/p>\n
\"It was very good. The Japanese crepe is a bit different from
\nthe French one, although it is French in origin. They put ice
\ncream with various flavors in it,\" Dani told The Jakarta Post.<\/p>\n
The bells in their heads rang. This is something new and
\nsalable, the Wanandi brothers thought. Soon they found out that
\nthe Tokyo-based Kibun group offers franchise licenses for the
\ndelicacy.<\/p>\n
\"Through negotiations, we learned that Kibun group is
\ndeveloping its Japanese quick serve restaurant chain outside of
\nJapan, so finally we decided to import it here too. Now the crepe
\nhas become one of the menu items offered by Dondon,\" Dani said.<\/p>\n
In Japan, Kibun group operates Japanese fast food outlets
\nunder several trade names, including Oden. For its chains outside
\nthe country, the name Dondon, which is derived from don buri,
\nmeaning dishes served in bowls, is used.<\/p>\n
Jakarta's Dondon serves its food in bowls too. Dondon's first
\noutlet outside of Japan, which was opened in November 1993, is
\nlocated in Manila. Currently, Kibun is also planning to expand
\nits Dondon restaurants to Hong Kong, Singapore, Taiwan and
\nThailand.<\/p>\n
Opened officially last Jan. 8, with capital of around Rp 500
\nmillion (US$227,272), the restaurant occupies a strategic site in
\nJl. Melawai, in the compound of Jakarta's biggest shopping area,
\nBlok M, South Jakarta. The Dondon family restaurant targets
\nJakarta's middle class market segment.<\/p>\n
With the growing number of working couples, the buying power
\nof Jakartans has continued to increase strongly. This has
\napparently benefited the fast food industry. Five years ago, for
\nexample, there were only Kentucky Fried Chicken and other outlets
\nof a similar ilk. Today McDonald's, Pizza Hut, Happy Day, Country
\nKitchen, Hoka-Hoka Bento, Wendy's and Sizzler have made inroads
\ninto what appears to be an ever expanding market.<\/p>\n
Variation<\/p>\n
Dondon introduces a variation on the theme by offering various
\nJapanese dishes which have become popular. Among the menu items
\nare sukiyaki,tempura, futomaki and fish fillets.<\/p>\n
The restaurant is attempting to introduce its new concept of
\nserving fresh food by placing kitchens in all of its outlets. To
\nheighten the Japanese atmosphere, it is decorated with elements
\nof design employing wood, bamboo, pebbles and kimonos. A sumo
\nfighter is its symbol.<\/p>\n
\"Usually a fast food restaurant isn't furnished with a proper
\nkitchen, so they cook everything in the central kitchen and then
\nsupply all outlets with food from the central kitchen. We try to
\navoid that. All our outlets will be equipped with their own
\nkitchen,\" Dani said, adding that a Dondon outlet in Kelapa Gading
\nmall in North Jakarta will be opened in April this year.<\/p>\n
The food served at Dondon is affordable. The tempura set menu,
\nfeaturing fried shrimp, fried sweet potatoes and fried
\nvegetables, for example, is sold only at Rp 5,000 (around $2.27)
\nincluding tax. Package II, which offers a tasty miso shiru soup
\nand futomaki, or rice wrapped with seaweed and stuffed with meat
\nand vegetables, plus a drink, is also Rp 5,000.<\/p>\n
\"The food is not pricey, because it is a family restaurant
\nwhere a family can eat together without paying too much. Besides,
\nwe want to attract teenagers as well,\" said Dani, who expects to
\nreach the break-even point in the third year of the restaurant's
\noperation.<\/p>\n
He thinks that teenagers will provide a lucrative market for
\nthe crepe specialty, which is offered as dessert in various
\nflavors, including strawberry, chocolate, chocolate and peanuts,
\nmixed fruit, mandarin orange and blueberry cheese.<\/p>\n
The taste of the food served by Dondon will likely suit the
\npalates of Indonesians because some adjustments have been made to
\nguarantee that.<\/p>\n
\"We have consulted Kibun. They agreed to adapt the taste
\nbecause for many Indonesians sometimes Japanese cuisine is too
\nsalty,\" Dani said, adding that based on such a consideration
\nDondon doesn't serve sushi or any raw fish dishes.<\/p>\n
\"But, we will keep on watching. If the market has begun to
\nappreciate such a dish, we will cater to that taste, or serve
\nother Japanese food, such as ramen, or Japanese noodles,\" he
\nsaid. (als)<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/wanandi-brothers-launch-japanese-fast-food-restaurant-1447893297",
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