Cozy dining at an altitude is what Food Cabin is all about, because regular cafés are, well, too mainstream. At this aviation-themed café in Kemang, South Jakarta, ‘passengers’ would actually feel like they’re boarding an airplane.
As an avid traveler, café owner Insaf Sanyoto wants to share his passion with his patrons. Chairs here come in the form of modified rows of airplane seats, seat cushions quirkily but artistically painted with maps of Japan and Papua New Guinea, and décor made from restyled airplane interior. When you walk in through the door, you’ll find yourself greeted by souvenirs and memorabilia from all around the world.
“Food Cabin is inspired by my passion for traveling. Thanks to my previous work experience on a cruise in the US, I got to spend years traveling around the globe. I’ve been to Hokkaido, New York City, London, Paris and many more cities and I always took pictures wherever I went. When I got back to Jakarta, I had this idea to open up an eatery that represents all those places I have visited,” Insaf told NOW! Jakarta.
“Approximately 75 percent of the furniture came from aircrafts that are no longer operational. Years ago, one of my relatives who worked as an aircraft mechanic gave me some stuff from an old airplane. I kept them at home and thought, ‘Well, they are kind of cute’ and I’ve been hooked on them ever since. So I transformed them and made them a part of Food Cabin. I also happen to know someone who helps me procure secondhand airplane materials,” he added.
Thanks to its Instagrammable interior, Food Cabin has been a popular spot for hanging out ever since its opening on 13 April 2015. There was even a television series that was filmed at the café.
Add to the interesting décor a palatable menu that features fusion dishes in an eclectic form of mix-and-match Indonesian and international cuisines, such as the all-time favourite Nachos Rendang (nacho chips smothered in rendang sauce), traditional Indonesian salad bathed in peanut sauce known as karedok rolled in Vietnamese rice paper and Dory Burger that satisfies your hunger with crunchy, juicy dory fish served in black buns with a kick of Japanese hot sauce wasabi.
“My educational background in culinary has come in handy with the menu as I took to invent the recipes myself. Our dessert Japanese Cendol, a sweet cold taro concoction mixed with grass jelly and red beans, is very popular. We also have local coffee from Toraja and Padang Solok,” Sanyoto said.
With prices ranging from IDR 40,000 to IDR 70,000 for food and IDR 30,000 to IDR 50,000 for drinks, Food Cabin is very affordable and highly attractive. No wonder there’s never a dull moment at this joint. Next time you think of dining out, do it in style at Food Cabin!
Stay in the loop with the latest from Food Cabin by following its Instagram account @food_cabin.
Food Cabin
Jl. Benda Raya No. 46 F Unit A, Kemang, South Jakarta
T: +62-21 22001074
