The opening soon, KoenoKoeni Hotel Semarang recently brought its distinct perspective on Indonesian heritage and storytelling to Bangkok through a one-night guest shift at Sato San Rooftop Bar, located within Moxy Bangkok Ratchaprasong. The collaboration marked an early international introduction of KoenoKoeni’s proudly Indonesian approach to hospitality ahead of its opening.
Set high above the Ratchaprasong district, Sato San Rooftop Bar is known for its bold interpretation of Thai-Isaan and Japanese culinary traditions, where shared rice cultures and fermentation underpin both its cuisine and cocktail program. Against this backdrop, the collaboration created a natural dialogue between Southeast Asian and Japanese influences, expressed through a contemporary cocktail lens.
Representing KoenoKoeni Hotel Semarang’s F&B team was Rifki Sofiyuddin, “Rifqbarman”. Originally from Central Java, he has a career spanning over a decade across Dubai, Singapore, and Hong Kong. His approach to bartending draws on both technical precision and cultural narrative, shaping drinks that reflect Indonesian ingredients, memory, and identity.
For the occasion, Rifqbarman developed a cocktail menu exclusively for Sato San, translating elements of Indonesian flavors into a contemporary format, including the Javanese Sour, combining whisky with tamarind and fresh lime to balance acidity and depth; the Fruity Sambal Martini, reinterpreting Indonesia’s beloved condiment through slow-cooked watermelon, tomato-infused vodka, and a touch of chili oil; and the Salted Negroni San, a layered composition of gin, vermouth, and Campari softened by salted caramel and sparkling coconut water.
Each drink reflected a broader narrative: the interplay between tradition and reinterpretation, and how familiar Indonesian flavors can evolve within contemporary cocktail culture without losing their origins.
The collaboration was held on 28 April 2026 and showed how these ideas can travel, taking on new expressions in a different place. As KoenoKoeni Hotel Semarang nears opening, events like this offer a preview of what to expect: a stay shaped by memory, curiosity, and meaning, where Indonesian heritage is both preserved and experienced in ways that feel relevant today.
KoenoKoeni Hotel Semarang is slated to open in Q3 2026. An invitation to slow down and connect with the craftsmanship, memory, and layered history that continue to shape Semarang and the wider region. A “portal through time,” the 111-key draws from Semarang’s Chinese–Javanese heritage, translating layers of history into a contemporary hospitality experience. This philosophy extends beyond architecture and design into its culinary and beverage direction, where familiar ingredients and techniques are reinterpreted with care, creating moments that feel both personal and connected to place.
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