Toko “OEN” is one among of the oldest family-owned restaurants that is still being run and managed by the direct descendants of the founders. It was originally begun in around 1910 in Yogyakarta by mrs. Liem Gien Nio (Grandma Oen / (Dutch: “Oma Oen”), wife of mr. Oen Tjoen Hok (Grandpa Oen / Dutch: “Opa Oen”). The name has literal meaning of “Oen’s Cookies Store”.

In the history of the original Toko “OEN”, there were in total 4 (four) branches: Yogyakarta (1910-1937), Jakarta (1934-1973), Malang (1936-1990), and Semarang (1936-now)

In the year 1922 this cookies store has undergone a transformation from just merely selling cookies to an ice cream parlour and later on the restaurant. The kitchen was based on the Dutch, Indonesian, and Chinese tastes and cuisine.

Later on in 1934 branches were opened in Malang and Batavia (Now: Jakarta). In 1935, Grandpa Oen bought a building in Semarang from a Englishman who has had a grillroom in the venue. This building situated at 52nd Bodjong street (now: Jalan Pemuda). As from 1936 this building is transformed as Toko “OEN” Semarang. The original venue in Yogyakarta was then merged into one.

In 1973 the building of the Jakarta branch was bought by ABN Bank and it was broken down to be rebuilt as office facilities.

In 1990 was the downturn of the branch in Malang. The building was bought to be renovated as a car showroom. Due to the historical value of the building in Malang, the local government prohibited the building to be renovated in any way. The building needed to be intact as it always has been, including all the decorations at the front that actually was the corporate identity of Toko “OEN”. The new owner of the building then continues to make use of the identity and the trademarked Toko “OEN” as restaurant and ice cream parlour. This is actually an illegal activity / usage of the trademark Toko “OEN” since the new owner of the building did not have any agreements whatsoever with the patent holder of the trademark Toko “OEN”, who are residing, running and managing the Toko “OEN” in Semarang. The current management of Toko “OEN” Malang do not reflect any of the aspects nor the recipes that were “invented” by the late mrs. Liem Gien Nio & mr. Oen Tjoen Hok.

The dishes at Toko “OEN” Semarang are still prepared and done as if it is being prepared by Grandma Oen herself back then. The restaurant is also having the status from the menu which is a classic Dutch Colonial-style: the uitsmijter, huzarensalade, kaasstengels, and so on. For the nostalgic tutti-frutti, people are coming from near and far to Semarang. If we would have a Michelin Guide in Indonesia, they would quote this as “It is worth the detour!”.

We are eager to welcome you in our restaurant!