Local wisdom was highlighted in Archipelago International’s culinary promotion theme once again. Previously, Archipelago had picked Sate from various regions of Indonesia in their bi-monthly promotion. This time, the “Pepes” dish took center stage as the theme for July and August.

Pepes is a traditional dish found in almost every part of Indonesia, with varying ingredients by region. Some dishes include stuffed chicken, fish, mushrooms, and banana blossoms (jantung pisang). Pepes is also associated with home cooking, which is why Archipelago wishes to resurrect your memories to ease any homesickness when you are not at home.

“There are many amazing Indonesian dishes, one of which is Pepes. Archipelago always strives to promote Indonesian specialties, upscaling street food, and home-cooked dishes by plating them in an appealing display while maintaining their authenticity. This way, they can be enjoyed by our local and international guests from various backgrounds,” said John Flood, President & CEO of Archipelago International.

The variety of Pepes is undoubtedly a feature of each region, and it is also something that Archipelago hotels have promoted. Each hotel chef selects their signature Pepes creation to pamper their guests’ taste buds. For example, at Harper Malioboro Yogyakarta, they serve the Pepes Salmon menu, which consists of selected fresh salmon meat processed with special spices, wrapped in banana leaves, and steamed so that the seasoning is absorbed. It is served with warm white rice and chili paste on the side. The dominance of the savory flavor with a slightly spicy touch, combined with salmon, which is high in nutrients, makes it ideal for eating during the day or at night.

Another unique Pepes creation comes from Hotel Quest Prime Pemuda Semarang, which serves ‘Pepes Jantung Teri,’ pepes of anchovy prepared with banana heart and served with warm white rice. The creation of Pepes Ikan Mahi-mahi served with Balinese sambal embe is presented by Favehotel Kuta Kartika Plaza. Mahi-mahi fish was chosen because it is low in calories and high in protein, vitamins, and minerals.

“Pepes is a dish wrapped in banana leaves and cooked by steaming or adding a little roasting. This cooking technique enhances the fragrant aroma of the banana leaves when steamed, enhancing the flavor of the food. This uniqueness is what prompted us to select Pepes as the thematic promotion for Archipelago this month,” added Winston Hanes, Vice President of Operations at Archipelago International.

To enjoy Pepes Nusantara menus at Archipelago hotels near you, please visit the following link https://www.archipelagointernational.com/en/nusantara-pepes-treats