Calling all gluten-intolerant sisters! These tapioca cookies sold out—1,500 jars in 3 days.
qponx
2026-03-06
Discover Seroja, a rebellious Pekanbaru bakery that ditches wheat flour for creative, gluten-free treats using local ingredients like cassava and sago. This spot went viral for its Ramadan tapioca cookies, selling 1,500 jars in just three days! Besides their incredibly soft bread, their new restaurant, Ernestine, serves must-try homemade gluten-free pasta. It’s a game-changing destination for delicious, innovative pastries and dishes that cater to everyone, especially those with gluten intolerance.
Fam, who gets it? After being in Indonesia for so long, I've become immune to all sorts of breads and pastries, but recently, a shop in Pekanbaru totally schooled me! 🤯 This shop is called Seroja, and their main thing is being rebellious—they actually dared to open a bakery that basically doesn't use any wheat flour!
The owner is super creative and is dedicated to creatively using local Indonesian ingredients. Things like cassava, taro, and sago, stuff we usually eat as staples, are turned into all kinds of pastries by them[1], it's like opening the door to a whole new world!
They've totally mastered Indonesian ingredients!
I got straight to the point as soon as I entered the shop. The texture of their bread really blew me away. I broke one open, and it was so incredibly soft[2], not at all the hard, dense texture I imagined for gluten-free stuff! Mantap!
But if we're talking about the real star of the show, it has to be their Ramadan-exclusive canned cookies, Khong Chuan[3]. This stuff is basically social currency; everyone gets a can for Ramadan gifting. The staff told me that during last year's pre-sale, 1,500 cans were sold out in just 3 days[4], Anjay! You have to fight to get one!
Recently, they also opened a new restaurant called Ernestine, and they've taken it even further, serving homemade gluten-free pasta! I tried the Pappardele Empal Gentong[5], which is made from rice flour. The texture is super unique, the sauce is rich, and it was so delicious I wanted to lick the plate clean!
I have to praise the ambiance too. After moving to a new location, the place is much more spacious, with ample parking. The shop is kept neat and clean, and there's even a dedicated hand-washing station[6]. The habits we developed during the pandemic can be continued here, which is very reassuring.
On a practical note…
The overall experience was amazing, but there's a small detail I need to remind you girls about. If you want to use a BCA debit card, there's a minimum spending of 50,000 Indonesian Rupiah[7]. The amount isn't high, but if you just want to grab a small bread to try, it's a tiny bit inconvenient.
A Guide to Avoid Pitfalls
Finally, for the girls who want to check it out, here are the key points:
Alright, that's all from me. I'm off to study their menu again. Do you guys know any other hidden gems in Indonesia that get creative with local ingredients? Let's chat in the comments! 👇
- Want to buy the Ramadan cookies? Set your alarm! That Khong Chuan[8] is no joke. The moment you see the "early bird price," just go for it. If you're a second too slow, you might miss out!
- A must-try for pasta lovers! If you're gluten intolerant or just want to try something new, head straight to their new restaurant, Ernestine, and order the homemade gluten-free pasta[9] without hesitation. You definitely won't regret it.
- Heads up on payment methods! I suggest bringing some cash or using mobile payment. Remember, if you're using a BCA debit card, you need to meet the 50k minimum spending[10].
- Using local cassava, taro, and sago, their gluten-free pastries are so soft they'll blow your mind [1][2]!
- Their Ramadan Khong Chuan canned cookies are social currency. Last year, 1500 cans sold out in 3 days—act fast! [3][4]
- Ernestine's homemade gluten-free pasta is unreal. The rice-flour Pappardelle Empal Gentong has a lick-the-plate-rich sauce [5]
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