A Nostalgia in Oen in Malang, East Java

SURYA.co.id | MALANG - In a Friday, black clouds were all over Kota Malang, East Java. but, the activities in downtown continued still. Some of them were getting ready for Friday’s prayer is the Great Jami’ Mosque. It is always interesting to see this mosque located beside GPIB Immanuel Church.

Not far from this place, there is Sarinah Mall. it adds the intensity in downtown Kota Malang. Suddenly, my eyes interested in a building with Holland colonial architecture in the corner of Jalan Basuki Rahmad. Above the building, there is nameplate. It is written Toko Oen Ice Cream Palace Patissier.

Entering this place made me feel like I was brought back to Holland colonial’s era. There are some old chairs and windows. There are some jars filled with some snack. The interior design is also simple.

“This place was established in 1930. At first, it was owned by Max Liem, then the ownership is different because he had no heir. Now, Toko Oen has only two places, in Malang and Semarang, ” Anshori, Tour Manager from Tourist Information Toko Oen, said.

The Holland architecture and the high historical value make Toko Oen becoming a cultural heritage. Moreover, it is also a travel destination.

Anshori added: “Furthermore, there is much international travel agents, from the Netherlands, put Toko Oen as their one of travel destinations, “

During Holland colonial era in Malang, Toko Oen was a hot place for Holland people on weekend. They usually danced in the front.

“There was a Holland tourist who did a tour in Malang. He was born in Surabaya and went back to Netherland in 1957. After he arrived in Toko Oen, he told that he rode a motorcycle from Surabaya to Malang just to go to Toko Oen. According to him, Toko Oen does never change.” Anshori said,

Toko Oen actually is not only a shop. In this place, the visitors could taste European, Chinese, or Indonesia cuisine. For example, the visitors could eat steak, salad, and fried rice. It is not surprising, there are many people or tourists eat their lunch here.

“Ice cream is the most favorite menu here. There are miscellaneous of ice cream, such as oen's special,” Anshori said.

Toko Oen is not only just a typical travel destination or restaurant. This place keeps a long history of Holland’s life in Kota Malang.

“It is not easy to do a big renovation, especially the physical features in this place. This place with its venerable architecture is not only as a proof that Holland has lived here but also as a place to do nostalgia.” Anshori ended.


Translated by Vicensa Naomi