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 under its belt, including at its original location in Causeway Bay, Sheung Wan tenure, and a move to Central’s Cochrane Street in 2023, the restaurant has been a favourite with diners exploring Indonesian cuisine for the first time or those seeking an elevated interpretation of its complex flavour profile.
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 chicken satay, fresh corn fritters, beef rendang, curry lamb rack, and nasi goreng were amongst the 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 flavours, 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,” reads a biography on the restaurant’s website.
The restaurant was awarded Michelin Bib Gourmand status from 2011 to 2017. Multiple calls made by Foodie to Indonesian Restaurant 1968’s main number and WhatsApp have bounced. It is unclear whether the owners have plans to reopen the eatery in a new location in the future.
