Mangkuluhur ARTOTEL Suites, Semanggi, Jakarta, in collaboration with the Hungarian Embassy, presents a world-class culinary experience through the Hungarian Culinary & Cultural Festival 2026, which will take place from the 27th of March to the 4th of April, 2026.
During the festival’s officiation ceremony and press conference at Mangkuluhur ARTOTEL Suites’s Tiara Ballroom on Thursday, the 26th of March, Eduard Rudolf Pangkerego, who serves as the Chief Operating Officer (COO) of ARTOTEL Group, made his remark that the Hungarian Culinary & Cultural Festival 2026 represents a “harmonious blend of two rich cultures”, which are the Indonesian culture and the Hungarian culture.
“At ARTOTEL Group, we believe that hospitality goes beyond providing a place to stay,” Pangkerego said. “It is about creating meaningful experiences. Experiences that connect people, celebrate culture, and inspire a new perspective. Today, we are proud to bring that vision to life through this special collaboration with the Embassy of Hungary.”
Pangkerego also added, “We sincerely hope that this festival not only delights your senses, but also fosters deeper cultural appreciation and strengthens the bond of friendship between our two nations. On behalf of ARTOTEL Group, I would like to express our heartfelt appreciation to the Embassy of Hungary, our partners, and everyone who has contributed to making this event possible. We invite you to experience the spirit of Hungary, right here in the heart of Jakarta, at Mangkuluhur ARTOTEL Suites, and we hope you guys enjoy the festival.”
H.E. Lilla Karsay, the Hungarian Ambassador to the Republic of Indonesia, Timor Leste, and ASEAN, also delivered a speech during the festival’s officiation ceremony and press conference, as she highlighted that the Hungarian Culinary & Cultural Festival 2026 is not just a single event, but also a diverse series of programmes taking place in Jakarta and Surabaya.
“This would not have been possible without the strong collaboration between the ARTOTEL Group, the Ministry of Agriculture of Hungary, and the Embassy of Hungary,” Karsay said. “Together we are not simply organising events; we are creating connections and shared experiences.”
The Hungarian Ambassador also noted that Hungarian and Indonesian cultures are closer than one might think.
“After spending nearly 10 years in Indonesia, I have learned one very important thing: the quickest way to connect between people is through their stomach, and this is [where] we are surprisingly similar,” Karsay continued. “Indonesia has rendang, and we have our rich and flavorful beef stew. Indonesia has sop buntut, while Hungarians have a world-famous goulash soup. And one of my personal favourites, soto ayam, is very similar to the Hungarian újházi chicken soup. And just as rice is at the heart of Indonesian cuisine, bread holds a similar place in Hungary.”
Additionally, the Hungarian Ambassador underscored how the Hungarian Culinary & Cultural Festival 2026 would be the place where some of Hungary’s talented chefs, pastry chefs, wine experts, and mixologists would bring the most authentic flavours of Hungary to Indonesians.
“A great deal of effort has gone into making this week possible. Now it is our turn, the Hungarian team, to share what we have to offer. Thank you very much for being here today, and please enjoy the amazing food and entertainment and the spirit of Hungary,” Karsay concluded.
The Hungarian Culinary & Cultural Festival 2026 is set to feature Hungary’s renowned food delegates, namely wine expert Krisztián Nyári, master pastry chef László Balogh, master chef Béla Prohászka, chef Balázs Mucsi, pastry chef Márk Szamosi, and mixologist Balázs Molnár. After the festival’s officiation ceremony and press conference, the reporters were given an opportunity to have a taste some of Hungary’s signature dishes and wines, including paprika chicken stew with galuska dumplings, red wine beef stew, and Érintés white wine.
The Hungarian Culinary & Cultural Festival 2026 begins with an exclusive culinary workshop that brings together chefs from Hungary and Indonesia, providing the participants with the opportunity to experience authentic Hungarian cooking techniques firsthand. A private dinner and wine tasting session are also included as part of the festival’s opening ceremony. During the festival, visitors could enjoy a variety of Hungarian specialities served buffet-style at the hotel restaurant. Beyond the culinary delights, the festival also features various exclusive events, such as the Chaîne des Rôtisseurs Dinner and the Skål Dinner, which involve the gastronomic community and global tourism industry players.
During the Q&A with the media, Faisal Tranggono, the General Manager of Mangkuluhur ARTOTEL Suites, said that, ultimately, the Hungarian Culinary & Cultural Festival 2026 is a valuable opportunity for those who want to experience authentic Hungarian cuisine without having to dig deep into their pockets.
“It is our privilege for us, Mangkuluhur ARTOTEL Suites, to be given this trust by H.E. Lilla Karsay, as the Hungarian Ambassador. It is also our privilege as given by the ARTOTEL Group for Mangkuluhur ARTOTEL Suites. Hungarian cuisine is neither small nor unknown. There’s no border if we’re talking about food.”
As he delivered his closing remark, master chef Béla Prohászka expressed his hope for the Hungarian Culinary & Cultural Festival 2026 as well as its significance for the relationship between the two cultures and nations.
“I believe this culinary festival will be most successful if many people come, try Hungarian cuisine, and experience the many flavours of Hungary. Gastronomic culture acts as a bridge between the two countries and can strengthen relationships. Therefore, I want everyone to come and try Hungarian cuisine throughout the festival,” Prohászka enthused.
Andrea Antal, the Head of Department at the Hungarian Ministry of Agriculture, also added, “I very much wish for everyone to experience Hungarian food and culture, not just until the 4th of April in Jakarta, but also beyond. I can also say that Indonesia is a very popular tourist destination among Hungarians, though I also hope to welcome many Indonesians who want to visit Hungary in the future.”
Join us for a celebration where heritage meets flavour.
🪙 IDR 388,000 nett/person
🗓️ 27 March – 4 April 2026
📍 Beranda All Day Dining – Mangkuluhur ARTOTEL Suites
Secure your table:
+62 822 9979 9929 | +62 21 5268833
– All images are courtesy of Felix Martua –