Opening An Indonesian Restaurant At 75 During Covid
75-year-old Siu Chen is a shining example that age is just a number when it comes to pursuing your dreams. Chen, who loves cooking her Indonesian specialties for others, was one of many who had that passion put on hold by the Covid-19 pandemic.
After being unable to cook at home for her community, Chef Chen decided to open a restaurant to continue sharing her regional dishes from Medan, the city in Indonesia where she’s from. The result of this ambitious endeavor is Medan Kitchen, a restaurant that serves up blooming Nasi Bungkus, comforting bowls of Lontong Sayur Medan, and heaps of rich, flavorful Beef Rendang, among many other Indonesian favorites.
In addition to its menu of Indonesian delicacies, Medan Kitchen also functions as a market, offering Indonesian staples and a variety of Asian snacks and goods. This creates a communal atmosphere, allowing customers to shop for products while enjoying food to-go.
“Medanese dishes are mostly spicy and use a lot of spices,” shares Chen, which is an accurate precursor to the levels of flavors that you taste once having any of her dishes.
Medan Kitchen is a true gem, offering Indonesian authenticity served up with the warmth of Chef Siu Chen’s passion for serving her community. When food is cooked with this much love, trust you’ll leave with a clean plate and a full heart.
