FRANKFURT | INDATANEWS.COM – Amid the bustling atmosphere of Frankfurt's street food festival, the enticing aroma of peanut sauce draws food lovers to a vibrant food truck named J-Town Kitchen.
Behind this culinary venture is
Eva Hertl, an Indonesian native living in Germany since 2015, who has been bringing the flavors of Nusantara cuisine to European streets.
FOODTRUCK: Eva sells a variety of food items from a truck, attractively packaged and equipped with food-serving facilities. (PHOTO: Eva Hertl)
From a Small Stall to a Professional Food Truck
Eva launched her venture in 2018 with a modest stall, participating in street food festivals, night markets, and Indonesian cultural events organized by the Indonesian consulate in Frankfurt. Over time,
J-Town Kitchen built a loyal following.
The food truck's name is inspired by Jakarta. Motivated by the city's street stalls, especially the roadside Nasi Goreng, Eva wanted to recreate the authentic street food experience in Germany.
"It was a leap into the unknown without professional cooking experience," Eva recalls with a smile. Her background in beauty services didn't directly help, but her passion for cooking and baking drove her forward.
J-TOWN KITCHEN: The name J-Town Kitchen was inspired when Eva took her husband to enjoy street food in Jakarta. (PHOTO: Eva Hertl)
Even as a child, Eva assisted in her grandmother's catering business, from shopping at local markets to cooking. Today, that early experience forms the foundation of her food truck operation, which currently employs eight people, mostly Indonesian students around Frankfurt.
Vegan Gado-Gado and Batagor Win HeartsEva has tailored the menu to suit German tastes, which increasingly lean toward plant-based options. She offers Gado-Gado without eggs and Batagor with vegetables and mushrooms as vegan-friendly finger foods.
According to Eva, Gado-Gado and Batagor remain the crowd favorites, with their rich peanut sauce particularly winning over German customers.
INDONESIAN STUDENT WORKERS: Nearly all of J-Town Kitchen's staff are Indonesian students pursuing their studies in Frankfurt, Germany. (PHOTO: Eva Hertl)
Family Support as a Key Ingredient
After the pandemic, the food truck is active every weekend, attending street food festivals and catering events across Bavaria, Hesse, Rhineland-Palatinate, and North Rhine-Westphalia.
J-Town Kitchen also appears regularly at Messe Frankfurt.
Eva emphasizes that her husband's support has been crucial to her success. Interestingly, her sister runs a food truck in the Netherlands, allowing them to exchange experiences.
STREET FOOD FESTIVAL: To grow her business, Eva frequently takes part in various events, especially Street Food Festivals across Germany. (PHOTO:
Eva Hertl)
Looking ahead, Eva plans to open an Indonesian restaurant in Germany. Her food truck journey has equipped her with the experience and confidence to take this next step. From a small stall to a professional food truck,
Eva Hertl proves that the taste of Jakarta resonates far beyond her hometown.
(IDNC)REPORTER: Darmailawati