Vanessa Kalani Ong

The legend of turn-of-the-century Semarang resident Nyonya Meneer (born Lauw Ping Nio) began during the Dutch occupation, when her husband had a stomach ache. She concocted a herbal medicine to help appease his discomfort, and its reputed healing powers made her the talk of the town. Nyonya Meneer’s successful recipe eventually spawned a business that she established in 1919, and you can still find her face and name on the packaging of many herbal medicines.

Nyonya Meneer's herbal drink is based on a traditional Indonesian beverage called jamu that Indonesians have turned to for centuries to enhance both their health and their beauty. Even today, locals cannot deny its remedial comfort. One of Nyonya Meneer's great-grandchildren, Vanessa Ong, has taken on the family knowledge and given it a fresh sheen for the younger generation. Ong started the Djamoe Workshop in 2014 to talk about the benefits of these home remedies.

Ong then co-founded Jamu Bar and Jamu Jamu Co, to bring to life once again the famed herbal elixirs concocted from natural ingredients. With striking new packaging and a fresher taste to balance the bitter jamu, these drinks have become a trend among younger generations looking to stay healthy.