Warung Filadelphia Introduces Indonesian Cuisine and Hospitality

Cie Siang deliberately performs what most Indonesians do when encountering strangers: offering hospitality.

“How is it, does the food suit your taste?” asks Cie Siang warmly to her customers, table by table, at her establishment, Warung Filadelphia.

According to Cie Siang, whose full name is Kristine Jauwana, greeting customers is a routine part of her service. Beyond seeking consumer feedback to continuously improve the quality of her food and beverages, the woman originally from Bondowoso, East Java, has a specific mission with this approach.

She wishes to introduce the true essence of Indonesia to the people of Philadelphia, USA, where the restaurant is located. By employing an emotional approach towards customers, Warung Filadelphia showcases Indonesia from two distinct positive perspectives.

Food and drink are undoubtedly the best ambassadors for a nation to strengthen relations with others. Dishes from the homeland, rich with various spices, are not easily forgotten by anyone who tastes them. Every flavour of Indonesian food and drink that lingers on the palate reflects the true state of Indonesia: diverse, complex, yet capable of forming a harmony that makes enthusiasts crave similar experiences repeatedly.

For this reason, Cie Siang serves a variety of archipelago menus at Warung Filadelphia, such as Nasi Padang, Tahu Telor, Sate, Bakso, Sayur Asem, Sop Buntut, Rujak Cingur, Urap, and many more. These dishes are accompanied by various beverages, such as Wedang Jahe, Jamu Kunyit Asem, Es Campur, and, of course, warm tea.

For food, prices range from two to 22 US dollars, while drinks range from one to seven US dollars. However, Cie Siang admits that the various textures, spices, and characters of Indonesian dishes were initially not easily accepted by the palates of Philadelphia residents.

Nevertheless, she found a solution. When Warung Filadelphia first opened in 2024, Cie Siang sold chicken wings to attract local residents. “Once they come in, we offer them many Indonesian food options. They then try them and, thank God, they ended up liking them,” said Cie Siang.