Darni’s Story: From Longing for Beijing Flavors to Earning Rp 30 Million from Clay Pot Smoke Cooking in Indramayu

INDRAMAYU, KOMPAS.com - A simple idea pursued with dedication can open the door to promising business opportunities.

This has been proven by Darni, a resident of Rancajawat Village, Tukdana District, Indramayu Regency, West Java, who has successfully developed a culinary business called Asap Gentong.

Though it is a home-based culinary venture, Darni manages to generate up to Rp 30 million in monthly revenue from this business.

Darni, also affectionately known as Mimi Ardi, shared that she started the business in 2023.

The inspiration behind Asap Gentong originated from her life experience working in Beijing, China.

Since returning to Indonesia, she often missed the distinctive taste of smoked chicken from the Land of the Rising Sun.

This nostalgia motivated Darni to experiment until she could recreate the flavor of that cherished cuisine.

Born from Serendipity

The journey to find the right formula was not quick, until she finally discovered a flavor profile she felt closely resembled the taste she longed for.

From there, Darni bravely decided to venture into the culinary business.

"At first, it was because I like to cook, so I experimented with various recipes to make this smoked chicken," Darni said when met at her business on Sunday (20/9/2026).

Darni uses a range of raw ingredients, including free-range chickens, broiler chickens, ducks, Pekin ducks, and tuna fish.

These ingredients are prepared using traditional smoking techniques.

What’s unique is that Darni uses an unconventional cooking method—she smokes the food in a clay pot (gentong).

Interestingly, the use of the clay pot was actually accidental.

Darni admitted that while looking for a way to evenly cook the meat, her gaze fell upon an unused clay pot at home.