Long before culinary tourism became a global trend, William Wongso was travelling across Indonesia in search of recipes, traditions, and flavours that reflected the country’s extraordinary cultural diversity. From traditional markets to conversations with grandmothers, fishermen, spice traders, and home cooks, his decades of exploration have shaped a lifelong commitment to preserving and sharing Indonesia’s culinary heritage.
This August, that journey arrives at The Ritz-Carlton Jakarta, Pacific Place through The Archipelago Table by William Wongso, an exclusive two-day culinary showcase held at PA.SO.LA Restaurant on 1 and 2 August 2026. More than a special menu, the experience is designed as an exploration of Indonesia through food—where every dish carries a connection to a place, tradition, encounter, or memory.
Created in collaboration with Executive Chef Willmer Colmenares and the hotel’s culinary team, the menu draws inspiration from discoveries made throughout Wongso’s travels across the archipelago. Signature creations include Rendang Beef Cheek and Garang Asam Salmon, while Tuna Gohu in Pani Puri offers an unexpected interpretation of Gohu Ikan, a beloved North Maluku delicacy. By presenting the dish in delicate pani puri shells, the creation brings together different textures and culinary influences while encouraging diners to approach Indonesian flavours with fresh curiosity.
That curiosity sits at the heart of The Archipelago Table. For Wongso, food is a living expression of culture, carrying traces of history, geography, migration, and family traditions. Understanding a dish, therefore, also means understanding the people and communities behind it. As he explains, Indonesia’s greatest strength lies in its diversity, and the experience aims to leave guests with not only memorable flavours, but a deeper appreciation for the stories that bring those flavours to life.
For The Ritz-Carlton Jakarta, Pacific Place, the collaboration also reflects the brand’s approach to creating experiences that extend beyond traditional luxury. Guests are given the rare opportunity to meet Wongso personally and engage with the knowledge, passion, and curiosity behind his life’s work.
The meaning of the table extends even further. A portion of the event’s proceeds will support fundraising efforts for clean water facilities in East Nusa Tenggara, ensuring that every reservation contributes to an impact beyond the dining experience. In this way, The Archipelago Table becomes a celebration not only of Indonesian cuisine, but also of the people, traditions, and communities connected through it.
