Juliana Siahaan
Jun 24, 2025
MINIATURE KEBAYA HOUSE, SUDIRMAN LANTERNS, AND GABUS PUCUNG
Le Meridien's Unique Way of Celebrating Jakarta's 498th Anniversary
here is something captivating along Jalan Sudirman this June. At night, the lantern decorations in front of Le Meridien Jakarta illuminate the pedestrian area, creating a festive atmosphere. Many people stop by to capture the scene with their phone cameras. In addition to the lanterns, there are bird cages complete with artificial bird sounds and Ondel-Ondel decorations among the trees. Few know that this is one of the initiatives by Diniarti Pertiwi Probosutedjo, Director of PT Wisata Triloka Buana, the owning company of Le Meridien Jakarta, to celebrate Jakarta's 498th anniversary.
Jennifer Suryadi, General Manager of Le Meridien Jakarta, mentioned that this is not the first time Le Meridien has created outdoor installations. Since Christmas 2024, Chinese New Year, Ramadan, and Eid al-Fitr holidays, the pedestrian area of Jalan Sudirman has always been lively. “We want to enliven these moments, especially because Mrs. Dinarti has been a great inspiration, making these beautiful decorations possible,” said Jennifer.
Entering the hotel area, guests can see a miniature Monas carriage complete with horses and a pair of Abang-None statues at the lobby entrance, and a Kebaya House – a traditional Betawi house – inside the hotel. As guests explore the restaurant area, various decorations such as miniature Monas, Ondel-Ondel, and carriages can be seen around the pool area.
In addition to the decorations, Le Meridien Jakarta also presents various Betawi culinary delights at La Brasserie restaurant. One of the featured dishes is Gabus Pucung, a traditional culinary dish that is becoming increasingly rare. Gabus Pucung is made from snakehead fish cooked in a black sauce made from pucung (kluwak), and it has deep historical significance and is appreciated for its unique taste and nutritional value.
The origin of Gabus Pucung dates back to the colonial era, when Betawi people who could not afford more expensive fish like carp or milkfish turned to the abundant snakehead fish found in the swamps and rivers around Jakarta. Kluwak, which grows in the same area, is used to make the distinctive black sauce, giving the dish its name and unique flavor. As part of preserving Betawi culture and celebrating Jakarta's 498th anniversary, Le Meridien Jakarta features Gabus Pucung as one of its signature dishes.
In addition to Gabus Pucung, various other Betawi dishes are also served at La Brasserie during lunch and dinner buffets, such as Soto Betawi, Selendang Mayang, Kerak Telor, Nasi Ulam, Rujak Juhi, Gado-Gado, and more. Even the chefs at Le Meridien Jakarta have learned how to make Roti Buaya to offer authentic Betawi cuisine to guests.
Cindra Dewi Jo, Director of Food & Beverages at Le Meridien Jakarta, stated that presenting Betawi cuisine, which is almost forgotten in Jakarta itself, is not easy. “We conducted surveys, went through multiple trials and errors until we found the right recipe and preparation,” said Cindra. “For example, authentic Gabus Pucung stalls are only found in Bekasi, and snakehead fish is becoming rare in the market. Roti Buaya, which is only available during special events and must be made to order, also posed a challenge, so we learned to make it ourselves until we found the right recipe and method.”
Le Meridien Jakarta hopes that by presenting these decorations and Betawi culinary delights, Jakarta's culture can continue to be preserved and enjoyed by future generations.
These Betawi dishes can be found at La Brasserie Restaurant at Le Meridien Jakarta until the end of June 2025.
