Once Hong Kong’s first taste of Indonesian cuisine, Indonesian Restaurant 1968 has shuttered its doors in Central, ending a nearly six-decade story.

With 58 years in operation, including their original location in Causeway Bay, Sheung Wan tenure, and a move to Cochrane Street in 2023, the restaurant was a favourite for diners exploring the cuisine for the first time or seeking an elevated interpretation of its spicy form. 

Indonesian Restaurant 1968 was conceptualised by Indonesian couple Chang Chian Lo and Lee Thau Chen who brought the cuisine to light in Hong Kong. Dishes like their chicken satay, fresh corn fritters, rendang, Indonesian curry lamb rack, laksa soup, and nasi goreng were among signatures favoured by diners.

“With their hard-earned savings and an unyielding spirit, they opened a small Indonesian restaurant. Through their dedication and passion for sharing their homeland’s flavors, they transformed their modest eatery into a beloved culinary destination, bringing a taste of Indonesia to Hong Kong and building a legacy that continues to thrive,” read a biography on the restaurant’s website.

The restaurant was awarded MICHELIN Bib Gourmand awards from 2011 to 2017. Multiple calls made by Foodie to the restaurant’s home number and WhatsApp have bounced. It is unclear whether they have plans to reopen the restaurant in a new location.

Rubin Verebes is the Managing Editor of Foodie, the guiding force behind the publication's viral stories. With a knack for cooking up mouthwatering profiles, crafting immersive restaurant reviews, and dishing out tasty features, Rubin tells the great stories of Hong Kong's dining scene.

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