The Hague becomes top destination for Indonesian cuisine

More than 60 eateries in The Hague’s city centre serve Indonesian dishes that trace back to the Dutch colonial era. The small street‑food stall Kopi Kopi, run by chef Debby Elias and her partner Allan, offers a menu that includes the spicy goat‑meat soup Tongseng Kambing, vegetarian tofu and tempeh satay, and grilled chicken Ayam Bakar Kalasan. All dishes are halal and pork‑free, reflecting traditional Indonesian dietary rules.

The culinary scene is framed by the city’s historic ties to Indonesia: the Dutch East India Company (VOC) established a lucrative trade network in the 17th century, and the Netherlands granted Indonesian independence in 1949. Today, historic venues such as De Poentjak and Toko Frederik sit alongside modern spots, illustrating a blend of old and new in The Hague’s skyline and food culture.