Café Dangdut Introduces Indonesian Coffee, Dangdut Music to People in the US

KOMPAS.com - Café Dangdut in New York was launched to introduce not only Indonesian specialty coffees but also dangdut music, a genre of Indonesian popular music to the people in the United States. 

With the establishment of this themed café, it could also pave the way for dangdut music to get official recognition from the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) as one of Indonesia's cultural heritage.

Indonesia's Minister of Tourism and Creative Economy Sandiaga Uno said that the establishment of Café Dangdut in New York would later be a way to promote tourism and the country's creative economy as a whole.

According to Sandiaga, New York is strategic and considered the most potential location to attract the world's attention.

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"In New York, coffee has become a lifestyle. Everyone carries coffee drinks as they walk. Cafe Dangdut has become a good way of promotion and brings business," Sandiaga said during a hybrid meeting with the representatives of the Indonesian Consulate General in New York and Cafe Dangdut from the ministry's building on Monday, May 24.

Sandiaga said that his office would facilitate an activity to invite American coffee experts to Indonesia to adjust coffee menus to local tastes in the US. 

"We have to appreciate and support this program through a collaboration," Sandiaga continued.

Cafe Dangdut founder, Romy Sembiring, said Indonesian coffee has enormous potential to go global. So, he ventured to market coffee in this world-known city.

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"We see that there are many opportunities in the US as it is also the largest coffee importer, while Indonesia is one of the world's largest producers of coffee," said Romy.

There is a need to promote Indonesian coffees, one of which is through the establishment of Café Dangdut, Romy said.  

He also collaborates with Indonesia's Anomali Coffee to adjust the American tastes. Founder of Anomali Coffee, Irvan Helmi, said that his party can help promote Indonesian coffees to the world.

Indonesian Consul General in New York Dr. Arifi Saiman, M.A. explained that the presence of Café Dangdut also aims to open career opportunities in the tourism, economy, and creative sector. It also promotes creative products to the world by selling merchandise, such as clothes, bags, and cups.

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