Indonesian Restaurant Wins Global Fans in Mexico City

RRI.CO.ID, Mexico City - Raising Indonesia’s profile on the global stage does not always require high-level political diplomacy or sports arenas. For Renta Uli Panggabean, an Indonesian diaspora entrepreneur living in Mexico City, traditional culinary heritage serves as the perfect vehicle to introduce her homeland to the Land of the Aztecs.

Located in the central Cuauhtemoc district of Mexico City, Uli’s Restoran Enak (Delicious Restaurant) has spent the last three years turning into a cultural hotspot. The restaurant's popularity has experienced a significant surge due to the ongoing 2026 FIFA World Cup, which has drawn hundreds of thousands of international visitors to the Mexican capital.

Uli noted that a large portion of her foreign clientele consists of travelers who have been in the city for a few days and grown tired of the acidic profiles common in local Mexican cuisine. Seeking a change of pace, these tourists turn to search engines for alternatives.

"When they search on Google using the keyword 'Asian cuisine', the name Restoran Enak currently appears at the top of the list," Uli said, as quoted by Antara on June 15, 2026.

This digital visibility, paired with positive reviews from local Mexican influencers and media outlets, has significantly expanded the restaurant's reach. Over 90 percent of the patrons are non-Indonesians, hailing primarily from the United States, Canada, Australia, Europe, and Mexico itself. While some have previously traveled to Southeast Asia, many are completely unacquainted with Indonesia prior to dining at the establishment.

"In fact, some of them express their interest in traveling to Indonesia after eating our food," Uli added.

Capitalizing on this interest, Uli frequently assists her customers by creating travel itineraries and connecting them with tourism agencies back home, turning her dining room into a direct pipeline for Indonesian tourism.

The current success of Restoran Enak is the result of a long, difficult journey. Uli initially started her culinary venture nine years ago as a home-based catering service. Her breakthrough came after the COVID-19 pandemic when friends within the Asian community at the United States Embassy in Mexico began ordering her dishes for official functions. After two years of consistent catering, they encouraged her to open a physical restaurant.

Finding a commercial space, however, proved to be an uphill battle that took three full years. "The current location of Restoran Enak is the 11th site. Many property owners rejected us because they were skeptical about Indonesian food," Uli emphasized.

Unlike established culinary staples like Thai, Chinese, or Korean food, Indonesian cuisine was virtually unknown to local landlords. The owner of the 11th property took a chance on the venture, offering his support and subsequently developing a personal interest in Indonesian and broader Asian cultures.

Logistics posed another major challenge, particularly regarding authentic ingredients like Indonesian sweet soy sauce (kecap manis) and traditional crackers (kerupuk). Due to trade routes, Uli found it far easier to source these items from suppliers in the United States rather than importing them directly from Indonesia.

Over time, she established a resilient network of fellow Asian restaurant owners and suppliers, some of whom now approach her directly with inventory.

Reflecting on her business journey, Uli expressed hope that the Indonesian government would establish structured mentorship and support frameworks for diaspora entrepreneurs looking to set up businesses in Mexico. Such programs, she believes, would help incoming entrepreneurs navigate local real estate challenges and raw material supply chains much more efficiently.

For Indonesians aiming to start businesses abroad, Uli emphasizes the importance of consistency, adaptability, and aggressive networking. For her, the hurdles faced while executing this flavor-based diplomacy are deeply tied to a pride in her heritage and a desire to make Indonesia known throughout Latin America. ***