印尼美食：兴隆伊萨娜 Meet the Indonesian Style Restaurant in Hainan’s Xinglong

In Hainan, there are not only unique local food, but also authentic delicacies from all over the world. In Xinglong, Wanning, there is a restaurant called Istana, which integrates the characteristics of both Southeast Asian and Hainan cuisine. As soon as you enter the restaurant, you will be impressed by the rich style of Indonesian architecture, the passionate Indonesian songs and the tempting coconut curry. Curry beef brisket, Indonesian fried rice, and satay beef skewers are popular among dinners.

Opening in late 2010, the restaurant is run by a family of returned Indonesian Chinese. Liang Huizhen, an 82-year-old lady who is one of the owners of Istana, describes the restaurant as the one with smell of “mom’s cooking". Growing up in a family immersed in Indonesian food culture, Liang has gradually learned how to make authentic Indonesian food since she was young. When Istana first opened, however, many diners could not adapt to the traditional Indonesian flavors because the spices were too strong. Liang tried many times to combine the food with Hainan flavors, only to formulate a relatively light and more popular taste. Today, Istana has become Xinglong's Internet-famous spot, as well as an irreplaceable flavor icon.