The Taste of Java at Qunci Villas Resort: Chef Jenny Hendrawati Brings Regional Indonesian Cuisine to Lombok

A Journey Through the Flavors of Java

Indonesia’s culinary traditions vary enormously from island to island and from region to region.

For The Taste of Java, Chef Jenny created a menu designed to introduce guests to some of the distinctive flavors of Java, including Soto Betawi, Ayam Goreng Lengkuas, Gurame Pesmol, martabak and a selection of sambals.

For dessert, guests discovered Serabi Solo, a traditional Javanese pancake associated with Solo in Central Java.

The experience went beyond dinner. Chef Jenny also hosted an interactive cooking demonstration, giving guests the opportunity to see how traditional Indonesian dishes are prepared and to learn more about the ingredients and techniques behind them.

Indonesian Food Beyond Nasi Goreng

For Qunci Villas Resort, events such as The Taste of Java are about more than creating a special dinner.

Many international visitors arrive in Indonesia familiar with only a small selection of Indonesian dishes. Yet the country is home to hundreds of regional food traditions, shaped by different islands, communities, ingredients and histories.

Qunci General Manager Vittorio Negri explained during the event that one of the resort’s goals is to introduce international guests to a broader picture of Indonesian cuisine.

Rather than presenting Indonesian food as a single style, Qunci wants guests to discover the diversity of flavors found across the archipelago.

This approach is particularly meaningful in Lombok, where food, culture and travel naturally come together.

Chef Jenny Hendrawati in Lombok

The Taste of Java marked Chef Jenny Hendrawati’s second visit to Lombok.

During the event, she spoke about the island’s potential as a destination, highlighting its food, natural landscapes and beaches.

Her menu at Qunci combined traditional recipes with contemporary presentation, while keeping the identity of the original dishes at the center of the experience.

The result was an evening that allowed international visitors to discover Indonesian cuisine through both taste and storytelling.

Bringing Indonesian Culinary Culture to International Guests

Qunci Villas Resort regularly brings Indonesian culture into the guest experience through food, local ingredients, special dinners and culinary collaborations.

The Taste of Java continues that philosophy.

For travelers staying in Senggigi, dining can be more than simply choosing a restaurant. It can also be a way to understand where you are.

From Lombok’s own Sasak traditions to the cuisines of Java and other parts of Indonesia, Qunci aims to give guests opportunities to experience the depth of Indonesian food while staying on the island.

The strong response to Chef Jenny’s dinner and live cooking sessions reinforced the interest international travelers have in authentic regional cuisine.

Qunci plans to continue developing culinary events that bring Indonesian chefs, ingredients and food traditions to a wider international audience.