Toko Oen is one of the culinary icons in the city of Semarang.

Located in the city center, Jl

Pemuda 52, this restaurant has a long trail.Founded in 1935, Toko Oen is like a time machine. The space
is full of traces of the past. Starting from old photos of Semarang City, old newspapers, cupboards, and
old sideboards.Also classic wall clocks, glass jars, vintage glasses and even a Guldens Cents coin counter.
Before Indonesia's independence, the currency used was Guldents.

Toko Oen was very successful in the colonial period with an Indische menu, combining Javanese-
Dutch flavors. In its time, this restaurant became a gathering place for Dutch nobles on weekends.Until
now, at the age of 86 years, Toko Oen has consistently served traditional menu dishes with a little extra
Chinese seasoning.The menus include cat tongue cake (katetong), ice cream, loenpia, and various bestik.
Well, this beef tongue bestik at Toko Oen is the winner. The taste is distinctive, unmatched by other
bestik.

The pastries at Toko Oen are also unique in that they remain the same shape as they were when
they were first sold in 1910. At that time, Toko Oen was just a small pastry shop in Yogyakarta founded
by Liem Gien Nio. The name Oen is taken from the name of her husband, Oen Tjoen Hok. The pastry
shop later developed into a restaurant. Several branches were opened in a number of cities, namely in
Malang and Jakarta.

In 1935 Toko Oen opened in Semarang after Toko Oen in Yogyakarta was closed. In its
development, the branch in Jakarta was sold, and Toko Oen in Malang changed ownership.Until now,
only Toko Oen Semarang has survived with Liem Gien Nio's original recipe. Not only the recipe, the
architectural design of the building is also maintained.“In the 1980s we were about to renovate the
building to be modern. But in the end we chose to maintain the authenticity,” said Jenny, the third
generation Oen Store owner

Toko Oen consistently maintains the recipe, as well as the cooking utensils. Even the ice cream
maker is still using the same tools since Toko Oen first opened. The tools are imported directly from Italy
in the early 1920s.Those who like ornaments from the olden days will definitely enjoy the atmosphere of
Toko Oen. Moreover, the menus that are served really tempt the tongue.: In the end, this legendary
restaurant is not just a restaurant. Toko Oen is arguably a long record of the past. Like a time machine
that takes visitors to the atmosphere of colonial times.