DailyCo is taking a pause from fast-paced food ops to turn the camera on the people behind the flavours: the smallholder farmers, artisans, and micro-entrepreneurs who power Indonesia’s culinary identity.

Launched as an independent YouTube docu-series, Kisarasa isn’t just a show about food—it’s a moving tribute to the unsung heroes shaping the nation’s economy through flavour, tradition, and quiet resilience.

Over three seasons (and counting), Kisarasa has travelled from Bali’s highlands to the spice trails of Maluku, telling the real stories behind Indonesia’s rich food culture. Along the way, it’s done more than just tell stories. It’s sparked business growth, built brand awareness, and helped create economic opportunities for the people it features.

Host Chef Renatta Moeloek inspecting kluwek with Ibu Romlah

Where Food Meets Impact

Indonesia’s F&B sector is no small side dish—it’s a Rp853.7 trillion (US$51.5 billion) industry as of 2024 and the country’s biggest non-oil-and-gas economic contributor. And behind the scenes, over 61% of this economic activity comes from MSMEs, particularly micro-entrepreneurs operating at street level and village scale.

Kisarasa puts these individuals front and centre—from kluwek fermenters and spice growers to humble street vendors and home bakers. Hosted by Chef Juna Rorimpandey and Chef Renatta Moeloek (both household names from MasterChef Indonesia), the show strikes a balance between culinary expertise and deeply personal storytelling.

Where most food shows focus on star chefs and plated perfection, Kisarasa digs deeper—into the community, culture, and care that go into every bite.

What Happens After the Cameras Stop Rolling

Ibu Romlah

The impact of Kisarasa is tangible. Just ask Ibu Romlah, a kluwek processor featured in Season 1. Kluwek, also known as black nuts, are essential in iconic dishes like rawon—but they’re toxic if not fermented properly. Ibu Romlah’s episode led to a surge of orders, growing her weekly production and widening her customer base across Java, Sumatra, and Kalimantan.

“We received more than 30 new orders after our episode aired,” she shared. “Recurring orders increased by 18 to 25 percent. My production capacity has expanded too.”

Across other episodes, featured producers have reported stronger brand recognition and recurring sales jumps of up to 25%—a clear indicator that storytelling, when done with purpose, can be a powerful growth tool.

Processing the raw kluwek

A New Model for Food Media

Behind the series is DailyCo, the multi-brand F&B powerhouse known for household names like Dailybox, Breadlife, HiGeorge!, and Ayam Blenger PSP. With over 200 outlets and 3 million meals served each month, the group’s food empire is massive—but Kisarasa represents something more personal.

For DailyCo founder Kelvin Subowo, the show is “not just content—it’s a way of giving back.”

“Kisarasa is our love letter to the small food producers of Indonesia,” he says. “They are often overlooked, but they are the heart of our food system. With this show, we’re helping them be seen, heard, and appreciated—not just by local customers, but by the nation.”

And it’s working. The series now has nearly half a million subscribers, proving that viewers are hungry for more than just recipes—they want to know the hands that grow, grind, and plate their food.

Looking Ahead

As Kisarasa continues to grow, DailyCo is actively exploring partnerships and collaborations to amplify the show’s impact. Whether through B2B opportunities, sustainability-driven investment, or community-led initiatives, the company sees content as a way to connect mission with momentum.

“Kisarasa wasn’t just about discovering great food in Indonesia,” adds Chef Juna. “It was about recognising the people behind it. These small-scale entrepreneurs are the lifeblood of our culinary heritage. By telling their stories, we’re not just preserving tradition—we’re helping to build a more resilient food economy.”

📺 Catch all episodes of Kisarasa on YouTube: youtube.com/@Kisarasa_id

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Images: DailyCo