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Patekoan, tea-for-all tradition that symbolizes value of sharing
In capital's Chinatown in Glodok, West Jakarta, locals are familiar with patekoan, a tea-for-all tradition that has been preserved by a tea house in the area.
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Teapots line a long table in front of the Pantjoran Tea House in Glodok, West Jakarta. The teashop provides tea as a tradition known by locals as "patekoan". (JP/Lilian Koch)
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n a corner of a Pancoran street in Glodok, Chinatown in West Jakarta, lies a white, octagonal two-story building with tapered roof.
From the look of the building, people can tell that it was built decades ago. The building, was built in 1928 as a pharmacy named Chung Hwa before it was revitalized in 2016 and became the Pantjoran Tea House.
In front of the tea house, there’s a long table with eight teapots with a classical white-green pattern and several cups, letting anyone passing by to serve themselves a cup of green tea or two. As the teapots are exposed to sunlight, the light naturally keeps the tea warm.
Pardi, 50, a ride-hailing motorcycle taxi driver walked into the tea house that sunny Wednesday noon and grabbed a teapot on a table in front of the shop, poured himself a cup of tea and drank it.
“It’s common for locals here; the shop offers free tea every day,” Pardi said.
As the whole area is a touristy spot, including the Petak Sembilan and Gloria Alley, tourists are also welcomed to enjoy the free tea.
One tourist from Bogor, West Java, Ahun, 48, said the free tea for everyone was unique and generous. “This is my first time drinking tea without sugar. Surprisingly, I like the taste of the tea, it is light,” she said.
