The lively hubbub of Pancoran in Glodok, also known as the city’s Chinatown, are kindred with legendary, decades-old eateries and shops that not only represent the enclave’s cultural roots but also the community’s livelihood and sense of place. Inspired by these surroundings, Pantjoran sets ground all the way in Pantai Indah Kapuk, a culinary destination developed by Agung Sedayu Group and Salim Group, for another pecinan haunt to come together to.
Taking over 5500 square metres of outdoor space on Golf Island in PIK, Pantjoran takes a modern spin of one of Jakarta’s oldest neighbourhoods. Even before it officially opened, the archetypal paifang gateway has already attracted passersby, brewing excitement for another “Chinatown” to hit the ground.
Naturally, Pantjoran is set up like what many would imagine it to be: Chinese-style pavilions and buildings that line up a string of eateries and shops, dotted with hanging lanterns of auspicious colours and murals that paint slice-of-life landscapes of the Chinese community. Scattered around Pantjoran are also eight illustrated posters portraying the influences of Chinese culture in the country by Malaysian artist Gladys Teo-Simpson, with stories narrated by Indonesian writer, Iwan Ong.
But the main excitement goes back to its lineup of food, whereby Pantjoran brings over some of the household names home-grown in Glodok into their domain. To name a few, there’s the 96-year trade of Hakka eatery Wong Fu Kie with its first-ever branch on the premise, the reputed curry dishes of Kari Lam in Gang Gloria, as well as the ever-popular Kopi Es Tak Kie that has run since 1927. Within its lineup of roughly 80 tenants, guests will also get a first taste of Singapore’s heritage brand Ponggol Nasi Lemak, or on to a more trendy spot to wind down, the local watering hole Holywings 24.
Facets of Pancoran get their worthy tribute here through food that eager eaters would travel for, to top with Pantjoran’s modern yet festive landscape that would attract even out-of-towners to comfortably spend their day here. While Pantjoran may not command the same folksiness as the neighbourhood it was inspired by, it is nevertheless a place bursting with the local spirit of the Chinese Indonesian community to be enjoyed by all.