Second biggest city of Indonesia, Bandung after Jakarta has 2million population. The city is surrounded by mountains of 2000metre levels which let the city to make nice cooling weather. Many of Jakarta people escape to this city on weekends. Bandung's average monthly salary is around 4.5million Rupiah which is equivalent to $600 Singapore dollars. F&B employees and retail sales people's monthly salary is easily 2million Rupiah(S$250) in average. There are huge gap between rich and poor however you can enjoy the local favorites at low cost and living cost is far lower than other big cities that makes life in different point of view from developed countries such as Tokyo.

"Fashion pasta" is located in a resort called Dago Pagor from 30minutes drive from Bandung city, which is also known as posh resort and residential area. Many of fancy restaurants are at the street of Dago Pagor including a restaurant invested by his group managed by Mr.Adjie's aunt. "Fashion Pasta" is built within his property in 2008. The place has 2 floor terrace and inside seating capable for 150 people under the beautiful sunshine.

Exterior. Few Indonesian restaurants are located in neighborhood

signboard

1F Terrace

2F Terrace

The restaurant is decollated with sellable pop arts and hints of Italian flag tri-colors. The serving of daily handmade fresh pasta and original desserts was a big "Wow" experience. It can easily beat the top city Italian restaurants quality. Staff service was surprisingly satisfying too. Fashion pasta employee's average monthly salary is 1.5million (S$200)  

Staff of Fashion Pasta

"Fashion Pasta" defines and definitely qualifies to be called as fine dining but price is not. This restaurant only charges approximately 80k Rupiah to 250k Rupiah (S$10-S$32) per person. What else is as reasonable as here considered by our standard? On this date, we had café latte, pizza, pasta, and spinach ravioli. Lastly, their signature handmade Panna cotta for a sweet end. The bill was 318k Rupiah (SS$40) including 15% service charge and tax.There are many Japanese expats work for Japanese firms in Bandung. There is small Japanese school as well. All of the restaurant staff including Mr.Adjie told us "Japanese are welcome!" They told us Japanese customers are polite and they consume alcohols which pump up the sales. They leave tips on top of that. He told us Japanese firm's gathering would spend 1million per person. But it is only around S$128 and it is paid as company entertainment fee. Even non-tipping culture of Japanese can have an idea of tipping from personal pocket if this restaurant can serve them such a satisfying food and services at this cost. 

Mix half-half Pizza 65,000rupiah (S$8.35)

Seafood Hand made Pasta 65,000rupiah (S$8.30)

Spinach Ravioli (S$7.40)

Panna Cotta Freshly made with goat milk. Limited to only 50pcs a day and it will always sold out! 35,000 Rupiah (S$4.40)

We have visited the restaurant little earlier than their opening hour of 12pm. At the same timing of the opening, Indonesian family customer has driven in with their personal driver for their weekend lunch. Continuously, few more groups have started to fill the good sofa seats. Restaurant often only opens 1st floor space due to heat on 2nd floor glass roof. Their monthly sales are 250 million Rupiah (S$32k). Profit is second highest in their group managed restaurant followed by Indonesian restaurant "Ringgu Alam Puncak" located at Bogor district.

1F seating filled by local families

Rich is getting richer by targeting other riches and hiring low cost employees in Indonesia. The initial cost of starting business is comparably low, so once your business is in the good line, it is much easier to join higher status. How will the Japanese firms are going to grab this opportunity as their business chance. This report showed us how shallow our market knowledge of Asian development was and far more to discover about today's Asia F&B market.