5 Unique Ramadan Hampers by Local Indonesian Businesses

Ramadan hampers are everywhere at this time of year. The holy month is here, and growing up in a diverse family that celebrates almost every religious holiday, I’m already busy looking for presents for friends and family. Indonesians love to gift – it’s almost a given that we send hampers to family, friends, neighbours, and the people dearest to our hearts during festive seasons. And more often than not, those hampers are filled with cookies – lots and lots of cookies.

The true stars of Idul Fitri are the classics: nastar (soft shortbread filled with pineapple jam), kaastengels (cheesy shortbread sticks), putri salju (almond cookies dusted in icing sugar), and lidah kucing (thin, crisp biscuits that literally translate to “cat’s tongue”). During this month, nearly every bakery sells them because they’re iconic and absolute must-haves for Ramadan, as well as the big day when everyone gathers.

So this year, I thought I’d curate some unique hamper and gift ideas – especially for those whose homes are already overflowing with cookies and sweet treats, hehe. They’re all made by local Indonesian businesses that I think are pretty cool.

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The Cool Bag by Ideku Handmade

I’ve been following this brand since they were only selling a handful of pieces through Instagram DMs. Now they’ve grown so much and have a flagship store in South Tangerang. Every year, they launch an out-of-the-box collection for the festive season, and this year’s drop is inspired by the sarung (sarong) – a piece closely associated with Muslim prayer attire.

Available for purchase on www.idekuhandmade.com

Image credit: Ideku Handmade Instagram

Sweet Treats Without the Calories by Oentukmu

They sell the cutest soaps in all sorts of shapes, and they’re perfect as presents or souvenirs for special occasions. I’ve bought them a couple of times for fun, and they smell really nice too! For Ramadan this year, they’ve created a set inspired by nastar and jajan pasar (a variety of traditional Indonesian snacks).

You can order them on Tokopedia or Shopee.

Image credit: Oentukmu Instagram

Artisanal Tableware by Carramica

You can never have too many pretty dinner sets. If you’re thinking of getting something special for your best friends, teachers, or clients, they offer a range of hampers in all kinds of designs- from classic and elegant to vintage and playful. They also come in different price ranges to suit your budget.

You can view more hampers and order on Tokopedia.

Image credit: Carramica Tokopedia

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The Scent of Ramadan by Sniff Sniff

From the name alone, you can probably guess they’re all about scent. Their hampers include a boxed fragrance diffuser with a blend of muguet ozony, green fruit, and cedarwood 5, plus a bottle of room spray – complete with a greeting card. They’re also pretty affordable, perfect for when you need to buy a few for a group of people.

Available for purchase on Tokopedia.

Image credit: Sniff Sniff Tokopedia

Ramadan Fit by Nadjani

This brand honestly takes up a decent percentage of my wardrobe – mostly jackets and trousers, hehe. This year, their collection is called Homecoming, celebrating a return to our roots and the moments that shaped us – as they shared on Instagram. The vibrant colours and patterns reflect the liveliness of a reunion – overlapping conversations, blended hues, and happiness that feels endless.

Available on www.nadjani.com and other Indonesian e-commerce platforms.

Image credit: Nadjani Instagram

At the end of the day, Ramadan is about connection – with our faith, our families, and the people we care about. Whether you stick to the classic cookie hampers or try something a little anti-mainstream this year, it’s always the thought that counts. If you’re looking to support local while gifting something a little different, I hope this list gives you a few fun ideas.

RAMADAN MUBARAK! 🤍

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10 Jan 2025 by Bella in Lifestyle

Swapping Beaches for Mountaintops: A Chilly Christmas in Bromo

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Last-minute Christmas Present Ideas

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28 Jul 2026 by Teman Bella in Asia

A Nostalgic Escape: Where to Stay and Eat in Yogyakarta

NOSTALGIC TRAVEL TO YOGYAKARTA - an article by Anne Diana Putri Eight years later, I came back for ArtJog (annual contemporary art festival in Yogyakarta) - but stayed for everything else. Eight years. That's how long it had been since my last trip to Yogyakarta - or Jogja, as Indonesians lovingly call it. Funny how a city can stay frozen in your memory, only to surprise you when you finally return. This time, my excuse was ArtJog. But somewhere between gallery hopping, bowls of gudeg (Yogyakarta's signature jackfruit dish) at breakfast, sipping specialty coffee, discovering century-old jamu (herbal drink) recipes, and taking the slow train to Solo, I realised I wasn't revisiting Yogyakarta. I was meeting a completely different version of it. Flying from Bali takes only one hour and fifty minutes - almost the same as flying to Jakarta. Yet somehow, the moment I stepped outside the airport, life immediately moved at a different pace. 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You may also like this article: 5 Co-working Spaces in Jogja to Get Things Done WHERE I STAYEDGrand Hotel de DjokjaCasa Wirabrajan LOCAL EATERIESGudeg SaganSate Kambing Tjokro Gembira LokaPasar NgasemCOFFEE SHOPSBergamot KoffieSpace RoasteryTadasih CoffeeINDONESIAN SPICE & HERBAL MEDICINE STOREBhumi BhuvanaJamu GinggangHotel Tentrem Pattiserie INTERNATIONAL RESTAURANT & LATE NIGHT GELATO CRAVEMediterranea Restaurant by KamilMichael Kreme Gelato Malioboro WHERE I STAYED Grand Hotel de Djokja If you're visiting Jogja for the first time, this is probably where I'd tell you to stay. The location couldn't be better - perfectly positioned between Tugu Station and Malioboro, allowing you to explore the city's heritage on foot. One experience I particularly loved was the hotel's traditional portrait session. Guests can wear Javanese kebaya and beskap (traditional attire) while being photographed inside the heritage property. It sounds touristy, and it is - but in the best possible way. Sometimes embracing local culture begins by simply dressing the part. 📍Google Map: Grand Hotel de Djokja Casa Wirabrajan If ArtJog is your main destination, Casa Wirabrajan offers an entirely different experience. Simple, affordable, and surrounded by creative energy, it's located in the same area of the Jogja National Museum. The neighborhood has quietly evolved into one of the city's most interesting creative districts, filled with cafés, local eateries, live music, and artists gathering long after sunset. 📍Google Map: Casa Wirabrajan From left to right: Grand Hotel de Djokja Heritage, Casa Wirabrajan, and Jogja National Museum area LOCAL EATERIES Gudeg Sagan Locals call it "gudeg basah" (wet gudeg). Established in 2003, it brought fresh love to Jogja’s iconic gudeg, since the city’s version is normally the dry type. You can’t make a reservation - just find a table and a server will come to you. They have two branches across Jogja, and yes, it’s completely normal to eat gudeg for breakfast here. 📍Google Map: Gudeg Sagan Sate Kambing Tjokro Gembira Loka Famous for Sate Buntel, Sate Kronyos, and Sate Klathak (different types of mutton satays) - the most satisfying meal and the ultimate protein load. 📍Google Map: Sate Kambing Tjokro Gembira Loka Pasar Ngasem A traditional market famous among locals for legendary eateries, such as: Jenang Yu Jamilah (Jamilah's sweet porridge), Warung Makan Bu Sirep (Sirep's eatery), Gudeg Yu Djum (Djum's gudeg), and other iconic Javanese delicacies. Pro tip: come to this market as early as 7am, stroll around, and try the food and drinks - then walk to Tamansari, the water temple, to explore the landmark. 📍Google Map: Pasar Ngasem From left to right: Sate Kambing Tjokro Gembira Loka and Gudeg Sagan COFFEE SHOPS Bergamot Koffie A new, chic spot with a vibrant interior and some of the best dirty coffee I’ve had in Jogja - plus a good burger if you’re hungry and missing something comforting. 📍Google Map: Bergamot Koffie Space Roastery A local chain with 6 branches across Jogja - each with a different mood and ambiance, but consistent coffee at every branch I visited. Their signature is Es Kopi Susu Dolce (sweet iced coffee), along with manual brews, and you can take away merch and coffee beans too. 📍Google Map: Space Roastery CCC Tadasih Coffee A unique boutique coffee shop run by Mas Ferza himself. It only has 17 seats and opens just four days a week, so check Google to make sure they’re open. Ferza is a passionate host who offers 8 types of coffee beans from around Indonesia and beyond, with specialty coffee priced from just 35K per cup. As unbelievable as it sounds, he even publishes a monthly transparency book for Tadasih, covering how much of each bean has sold, average prices, and how many origins he covers. His mission is simply to turn regular guests into friends through genuine conversation - and please, order the toast, it’s incredible. 📍Google Map: Langenarjan 29 (RSVP only) From left to right: Space Roastery, Tadasih toast, Bergamot exterior INDONESIAN SPICE & HERBAL MEDICINE STORE Bhumi Bhuvana A very special place to discover rare ingredients from all over Indonesia, like sea salts from Bali, Cirebon, and Kalimantan, which you can taste on the spot - plus palm sugar from the Baduy people of Kalimantan. They offer a bookable walking tour, but you can also just pop in for the day and try the home-cooked meals the staff prepares daily, drawn straight from legendary Indonesian cookbooks like Mustika Rasa. The staff will welcome you warmly and guide you through a side of Indonesian gastronomy most of us never get to touch. The space is small, so give them a heads-up before you visit. 📍Google Map: Bhumi Bhuvana Jamu Ginggang Jamu is famous throughout Indonesia, and it was born in Java. This place is special because it’s run by the original acaraki, a Javanese herbalist once appointed by the city’s mayor, located in the Pakualaman area. Stepping in feels like traveling back to 1950, when this place was first established. Using real spices, you simply tell the lady at the counter how you’re feeling, and she’ll make you a bespoke jamu - in a world full of cocktail bars, this place existed long before the glitz. It’s a privilege to experience a place like this today, both as a homage and a history lesson. 📍Google Map: Jamu Ginggang Hotel Tentrem Pattiserie The birthplace of Tolak Angin, Indonesia’s famous instant herbal medicine, this hotel lets you explore the brand’s other creations. In the lobby of Hotel Tentrem Jogja, you can enjoy an afternoon tea with Tolak Angin ice cream, takeaway chocolate pralines, and popsicles - all made from Tolak Angin. 📍Google Map: Hotel Tentrem Form left to right: Bhumi Bhuvana entrance and its collection, Jamu Ginggang INTERNATIONAL RESTAURANT & LATE NIGHT GELATO CRAVE Mediterranea Restaurant by Kamil One of the most visited restaurants for both international and domestic tourists. It offers an array of international dishes, from pizza to hummus to steak frites to chocolate mousse. The affordable prices are a highlight, but the food itself is genuinely good and consistent. It’s a fine casual dining restaurant with none of the intimidation that ambiance can sometimes bring. The wine of the month is excellent too, at half the price of Bali or Jakarta - Bordeaux included. Do make a reservation, though, or you won’t get a proper seat. 📍Google Map: Mediterranea Restaurant by Kamil Michael Kreme Gelato Malioboro A new gelato hotspot open until 2am - sounds like a good deal to me. The gelato itself is solid, but the bonus is the café next door, Blue Butter, which has a giant 4D cat installation with blinking eyes that draws crowds in for a photo. Quite a scene to stumble on in Jogja. 📍Google Map: Michael Kreme Gelato Malioboro Mediterranea Restaurant by Kamil Yogyakarta was everything I hoped it would be and more. From wandering through historic landmarks and hunting down local favourites to discovering hidden cafés and cultural gems, every day brought something new. But the journey doesn't end here. Next up, we're heading east to Solo, another city rich in Javanese culture, heritage, and unforgettable eats. Stay tuned for the next chapter of this Central Java adventure on my next article!