Jakarta’s Festival Imlek Celebrations Break Guinness World Record for Lontong Cap Go Meh

Jakarta, Indonesia, celebrated the culmination of its 2026 National Chinese New Year Festival with a record-breaking achievement: serving 5,054 portions of lontong cap go meh in eight hours, earning a Guinness World Record title. The event, held at Lapangan Benteng Square, highlighted Indonesia’s culinary heritage and cultural inclusivity.

A Culinary Tradition Recognized Globally

The “Most Servings of Lontong Cap Go Meh Served in 8 Hours” record was officially awarded during the festival’s peak celebration on February 28, 2026. Lontong cap go meh, a traditional dish, typically consists of sliced lontong (rice cakes wrapped in banana leaves), opor ayam (chicken in coconut milk curry) and sayur lodeh (vegetable stew).

Symbolism and Cultural Significance

Deputy Minister of Creative Economy Irene Umar emphasized the dish’s significance, stating that lontong cap go meh reflects Indonesia’s culinary acculturation and inclusivity. This year’s celebration was particularly meaningful as the Chinese New Year coincided with Ramadan, symbolizing a blending of Chinese-Indonesian culinary heritage and local Ramadan traditions.

Economic and Community Impact

The festival, dubbed “Grand Feast with Bobon Santoso,” provided opportunities for Micro, Slight, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs), content creators, and local communities to showcase innovation while preserving culinary traditions. Umar noted that the event underscored how traditional cuisine can serve as a platform for unity, creativity, and economic growth within the creative economy sector.

Record-Breaking Event Details

Thousands of people attended the event to participate in the record-breaking effort. The festival also featured a drone formation attraction as part of the celebrations.

Related Initiatives

The record-breaking event builds upon other initiatives promoting Indonesia’s cultural richness, such as Harmoni Imlek Nusantara, which showcases Indonesia’s cultural acculturation. The Jakarta Lunar New Year celebrations also contributed significantly to the economy, boosting spending by US$533 million.