RI Ambassador Views Indonesian Restaurant Business Abroad as Promising

The increasing number of Indonesians abroad opens up promising business opportunities for Indonesian restaurants, said the Indonesian Ambassador to Ukraine, concurrently Armenia and Georgia, Arief Basalamah.

“The spread of Indonesians abroad, especially in Armenia and surrounding countries, makes Indonesian restaurant businesses a profitable investment,” he stated in a press release from the Indonesian Embassy in Kiev, Ukraine, on Tuesday (14/4).

He said that with professional management, Indonesian restaurants can attract customers not only from Indonesians but also tourists and culinary enthusiasts interested in the flavours of the Archipelago.

Arief added that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Indonesian representations can facilitate workshops on opportunities in the Indonesian culinary business.

Such activities could feature successful restaurant owners to share lessons and best practices with stakeholders, including the private sector.

One example of an Indonesian restaurant is Little Bali, located in Yerevan, Armenia.

The restaurant, themed around Indonesian nature, is near Cascade Park, one of the popular tourist destinations in the city.

Established in 2024 by Indonesian diaspora member Fugen Chandra, the restaurant offers dishes such as nasi goreng, Madura chicken soto, and nasi Padang.

“Currently, customers come not only from Indonesia but also local residents, international tourists, and expatriates in Yerevan,” he said.

Based on data from the Indonesian Embassy in Kiev and its extension office in Tbilisi, there are around 30 to 50 Indonesians and the Indonesian diaspora in Armenia.

Most are migrant workers as well as Indonesians married to locals.