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Many people visit Bandung, the capital of West Java province, to pamper their taste buds. You'll be amazed with what Bandung has to offer. From various food sold on street vendors to haute cuisine, every visitor will be able to find something to their liking here, in Bandung.
Sundanese (the people living in West Java are called Sundanese) has tempting refreshments. Sundanese food tends to be bland yet tasty unless you add sambal dadak (chili and other ingredients grinded together) to your food. If you're looking for more spicy taste, just add this sambal dadak with nasi timbel (steamed rice formed into a roll inside a banana leaf) and other specialties. This mouthwatering treat is too good to be missed! Usually sour vegetables soup (sayur asam) is accompanied by nasi timbel.
Sundanese Food
means, molen banana), Indonesian traditional pastry filled with banana and cheese. For a variation, try brownies kukus (steamed brownies). Es cendol, made of blended/grinded rice, palm sugar, and coconut milk, is delightful on a hot day. While for a colder day, you might want to taste bandrek or bajigur.
Bandung also offers various milk products most notably, yoghurt. Basically there are two kinds of yoghurt in Bandung the thin one, and the thick one (French style).
Hot snacks ala Bandung are widely sold throughout the city. Among them are gehu-toge tahu- (beancurd with beansprouts and vegetables filling), pisang goreng (fried banana), cireng-aci goreng- (fried tapioca), and many more. You might be interested in trying other snacks such as, nangka goreng (fried jackfruit), peuyeum goreng (fermented cassava, fried), nanas goreng (fried pineapple), and so on. Ketan bakar (roasted sticky rice) and jagung bakar/rebus (roasted/boiled corns) are also recommended.
Nasi goreng (fried rice), although not originally from Bandung, is also a favorite. The ingredients vary, according to people's preference. Sometimes the rice is mixed with seafood (usually shrimps, pieces of cuttlefish, pieces of crab's flesh), chicken and vegetables, mutton and vegetables, salted fish, and so on.
Cakue, a dish made of flour dough then fried, also worths a try.
Bandung also has other kinds of restaurants, like Padangese (food from West Sumatra, very spicy in taste), Javanese (sweeter in taste), Chinese, Japanese, Korean, Western,
Bandung
Getting There
There are many ways to go to Bandung. You can go by plane, embark a train, or rent a car from Jakarta.
Where to Stay
Bandung has it all, cozy little inns to five-starred hotels.
Moving Around
Public transportation called angkot, covers most of Bandung. For greater comfort, it is best if you take a taxi. For greater comfort still, rent a car. A day's rent will save you time and trouble moving from one place to another and since Bandung is relatively small, you can cover most of Bandung's interesting places in a day.
Dining Guide
For a taste of nasi timbel and other Sundanese food, you can try the restaurants mentioned below. There are many others, though, so while you're in Bandung, you might be able to spot other restaurants selling tasty food.
BUMBU DESA
Jalan Pasirkaliki 160, Bandung
Jalan Laswi 1, Bandung
Traditional food with elegant surrounding.
BALE GAZEEBO
Jalan Surapati 49
Wide place, where you can eat while lesehan (sitting on the floor without chairs) or using a chair.
SINDANG RERET
Jalan Raya Cikole Km 22
Jalan Raya Propinsi Ciwidey, Kabupaten Bandung
Jalan Surapati 53
One of the most famous Sundanese restaurants in Bandung.
SAUNG KABAYAN
Jalan Dr. Junjunan 107, Bandung
Modernized Sundanese cooking.
SARI PARAHYANGAN
Jalan L.L.R.E. Martadinata (Riau) 156-158
Jalan Soekarno-Hatta 408
Good, plain Sundanese cooking.
KELAPA LAGOON
Jalan Sumatera 9
Chic place. Tasty but the price is higher than other Sundanese restaurants.
Most foodcourts on the malls feature Sundanese cookings/restaurants. Most well-known is Ampera. You can grab nasi timbel here after browsing the malls.
If batagor seems to tempt you, then you might want to check out these restaurants:
BATAGOR RIRI
Jalan Burangrang 41
You can buy the batagors here half-cooked, so you can fry them at home. Half-cooked batagors only last a few days if put inside a refridgerator.
BATAGOR KINGSLEY
Jalan Veteran (Bungsu) 25
Has been Bandung?s favorite for ages. You can also buy half-cooked batagors here.
BATAGOR YEYE
Jalan Buah Batu 139
Jalan Cihampelas 198B
Famous for its batagor and mutton soup.
Pisang molen, brownies kukus are available at:
Sundanese Food
KARTIKA SARI
Jalan Buah Batu 165A
Jalan Kebon Jukut 3C
Jalan H. Akbar
Jalan Kopo Sayati 111A
Jalan Terusan Jakarta 77E
Jalan Ir. H. Djuanda (Dago)
PRIMA RASA
Jalan Kemuning 20
Jalan Buah Batu 169A
Jalan Peta 169
Other bakeries also sell these delicacies. If you're busy, you can always go to supermarket. Most of them sell pisang molen and brownies kukus.
Es cendol are available at:
The most famous es cendol is called cendol Elizabeth, for it is being sold in front of Elizabeth's 
Bandrek, Bajigur are available at most Sundanese restaurants.
Sometimes they even sell bandrek and bajigur on sachets, so you can bring them as souvenirs for your loved ones.
Should you fancy yoghurt, you might try these places:
RUMAH MAKAN YOGHURT
Jalan Cisangkuy 66
Thin type of yoghurt, the hangout place for young and old alike.
BMC (BANDOENGSCHE MELK CENTRALE)
Jalan Aceh 30
Apart from yoghurt, you can try other milk products here, such as milk, kefir, and so on.
OLEH-OLEH ODISE
Jalan Sukawarna Baru 28
French-style yoghurt, thick type. You can order the yoghurt in small cups or in liters.
Interested in hot snacks?
The street vendors selling these snacks can be found throughout Bandung, most notably in Jalan Supratman and Jalan Cilaki. Ketan bakar and jagung bakar/rebus can be found on Jalan Ir. H. Djuanda (Dago) and in Lembang area.
Want a taste of fried rice?
You can get fried rice on street vendors, restaurants, or food courts in malls.
Cakue, you say? Try this place:
HAUS TEA
BEC Mall Jalan Purnawarman 13-15 2nd floor, C-05
Istana Plaza Mall Jalan Pasirkaliki 121-123, LG-B3
Try the various yummy sauce to add some taste to your cakue.
Feeling adventurous in sampling spicy Padangese food? Try these restaurants:
SIMPANG RAYA RESTAURANT
Jalan Buah Batu 150
Jalan Ir. H. Djuanda (Dago) 55
Jalan Surapati
Jalan L.L. R.E. Martadinata (Riau)
A tad more expensive than other restaurants with similar type, but decidedly tasty. Try ayam pop without the chili sauce, for those of you who favor blander (yet still delicious) food.
RUMAH MAKAN KAPAU JAYA
Jalan Dipati Ukur 80A
Relatively cheap and yummy.
If you feel like tasting Japanese, Chinese, or Korean food:
HANAMASA
Jalan Ir. H. Djuanda (Dago) 48
Buffet style, Japanese food.
SAN SUSHI BAR
Hotel Holiday Inn
Jalan Ir. H. Djuanda 29
Just like sushi bars in Japan.
OKOH
Hotel Horizon
Jalan Pelajar Pejuang 45
For sushi and various teppanyaki lovers.
MOMIJI JAPANESE CUISINE
Jalan Braga 64
Classy and unique.
PAGODA MENU MANDARIN HALAL RESTAURANT
Jalan Trunojoyo 32
Spacious place, oriental-style. Delicious food, too. It is also halal, so Muslim people can eat here without any doubts.
EASTERN SHARK FIN?S RESTAURANT
IP Mall, Jalan Pasirkaliki 121-123
Wide variety of Chinese food.
FLAMBOYANT CENTRE
Flamboyant Centre, Jalan Sukajadi 232-234
For hainan rice and juan lo lovers.
KOREAN HOUSE
Jalan Sukajadi 175
Cozy place with great service.
HAN KOOK GARDEN RESTAURANT
Jalan Karang Sari 21
Very Korean, very chic.
If steak and western food are your favorites, then you might be interested in trying these places:
CAFE BALI
Jalan L.L. R.E. Martadinata (Riau) 215
Yummy western food with Balinese atmosphere. Aside from western food, this place also serves tradional Indonesian food.
DAKKEN COFFEE & STEAK
Jalan L.L. R.E. Martadinata (Riau) 67
While savoring your steak, you can also try their coffee. Ideal for hang out.
WARUNG LAOS
Jalan Prof. Dr. Eyckman 2
Delicious spaghetti and tasty pizza with thin crusts will make you longing for more.
SUIS BUTCHER & TERRACE
Jalan Dr. Setiabudhi 174
Cool atmosphere, yummy food.
TAMANI CAFE Jalan Ir. H. Djuanda 7-9
Great western food. Also serves Indonesian and Japanese food. Big portion.
Bandung also has many good restaurants serving seafood. Among them are:
KEPITING SUPER PARIT 9 SEAFOOD
Jalan Cendana 4
Mouthwatering dishes. You can also buy their specialty?crabs, put inside a thermos flask. Ideals as gifts.
THE OCEAN SEA FOOD & GRILL
Jalan Sukajadi 225
On weekends, you will be able to watch live music. Big portion.
Those who fancy Thai food can try these restaurants:
COCA SUKI
Jalan Ir. H. Djuanda (Dago) 173
Great service. Mouthwatering dishes.
ROYAL SIAM THAI RESTAURANT
Jalan Braga 121 2nd Floor
Endless variations of Thai food.
Vietnamese food lovers might find this restaurant to their liking:
HANOI HOUSE
Jalan Sunda 56
If you visit this place on weekends, you'll be able to order from their special menu.
Souvenir Tips
Bandung mainly offers food and drink as souvenirs. Visit these stores to grab the famous keripik tempeh, keripik oncom, sale pisang, dodol, and other delicacies:
RAOS, KARYA UMBI
Both are located in Jalan Cihampelas.
Other Things to See or Do
Shop till you drop at the plentiful Factory Outlets and Malls, visit Cihampelas street to find jeans and clothes, go to Cibaduyut street to see leather products especially shoes and bags, visit other places of attraction in Bandung and surroundings.
Travel Tips
West Java Specialties
Bandung, Tidak Cuma Punya FO dan Kuliner
BANDUNG — Kabupaten Bandung merupakan daerah yang terkenal dengan berbagai macam wisata, seperti wisata belanja di factory outlet (FO) dan kuliner di Provinsi Jawa Barat, juga memiliki banyak potensi wisata yang masih belum tergali, terutama wisata bumi.
"Kabupaten Bandung memiliki potensi wisata yang menawarkan keindahan alam dengan berbagai macam sejarah di dalamnya," kata T Bachtiar dan Budi Barahmantyo, penulis buku Wisata Bumi, Cekungan Bandung yang diluncurkan dalam pembukaan peringatan HUT Konferensi Asia-Afrika (KAA) ke-54 di Gedung Merdeka, Jalan Asia Afrika Bandung, akhir pekan kemarin.
Pada diskusi buku tersebut kedua penulis memperkenalkan potensi-potensi wisata bumi yang berada sangat dekat dengan orang-orang di Bandung, yakni sekitar Kabupaten Bandung yang pada masa prasejarah merupakan cekungan dan dalam perkembangannya banyak ditemukan peninggalan artefak dan bukti-bukti geologis peninggalan zaman prasejarah.
Menurut Bachtiar, dia mulai menjelajahi alam Kabupaten Bandung sejak meninggalkan kota kelahirannya di Pameungpeuk, Garut, tahun 1974. Saat itu ia kehilangan aroma desa, seperti aroma tanah, hujan, dan kabut.
Kemudian ia mulai menjelajahi alam dan mendapati banyak sekali kekayaan alam bandung di dalamnya. Ia masih ingat bagaimana rasanya memandangi alam dengan tetesan embun di ujung rumput dan sinar matahari yang terbias oleh embun.
Pada tahun 2000-an Bachtiar yang juga seorang dosen di Fakultas Ekonomi Univesitas Langlangbuana mengajak sejumlah guru untuk melihat keindahan Goa Pawon. Di sana pula ia menemukan banyak artefak zaman prasejarah dan bertemu dengan Budi. Ternyata Budi memiliki hobi yang sama dengan Bachtiar dan sedang meneliti bebatuan yang ada di Goa Pawon.
Dia sengaja mengajak guru karena guru dapat menceritakan kembali kepada murid-muridnya dan tiap tahun akan berganti sehingga tiap tahunnya semakin banyak siswa yang memahami keindahan dan sejarah cekungan Bandung.
Bahctiar dan Budi sama-sama intens menulis di media massa tentang bagaimana pentingnya konservasi alam di Kabupaten Bandung. Sampai akhirnya tulisan-tulisan mereka dibukukan oleh Lembaga Geologi dengan judul Geowisata, Sejarah Bumi Bandung pada tahun 2006 dan diterbitkan kembali dengan revisi menjadi Wisata Bumi, Cekungan Bandung.
Bachtiar dan Budi melalui bukunya mengajak semua masyarakat bandung untuk dapat menemukan kembali Bandung dengan segala keramahan masyarakat dan keindahan alamnya. Diceritakan dalam buku bagaimana catatan perjalanan dan pengalaman berwisata di alam Bandung. "Hal yang bisa dilakukan dengan perjalanan setengah hari mungkin Goa Pawon, lagi pula Goa Pawon adalah tempat yang paling menarik," kata Budi yang juga dosen geologi di ITB.
Budi mengajak para pemilik biro wisata mengembangkan potensi wisata bumi tersebut. Budi, Bachtiar beserta rekan-rekannya bersedia membantu dari segi interpretasi biologi. Masih banyak potensi lain yang bisa digali, contohnya retakan banjaran dan bukit kapur yang ada di Padalarang.
KOMPAS.com
Jaipongan " The Sundanese Traditional Dance"
Jaipongan was a genre of dance art that was born from creativity of an artist from Bandung, Gugum Gumbira. His attention in the people's art that one of them was to knock on xOBJ made him knew and knew true perbendaharan patterns of the movement of the available tradition dance to Kliningan/Bajidoran or the Tilu Beat. The movements of the aperture, pencugan, nibakeun and several styles of the movement mincid from some art above was enough to have the inspiration to develop the dance or art that currently is known by the name of Jaipongan.
History
Before the form of this performance art emerged, there were several influences that formed the background of the form of this social dance. In West Java for example, the social dance was the influence from Ball Room, that usually in the performance of social dances is not free from the existence ronggeng and pamogoran. Ronggeng in the social dance no longer functions for the ceremony activity, but for entertainment or the method mixed. The existence ronggeng in performance art had the attraction that invited the sympathy of the group pamogoran. For example in the Tilu Beat dance that like that was known by the Sundanese community, it was estimated this art was popular around 1916. As performance art of the people, this art only was supported by simple elements, like waditra that covered the re-chapter, kendang, two kulanter, three beats, and the gong. Likewise with the movements of his dance that did not have the pattern of the standard movement, the dancer's costume that was simple as the populist reflection.
Together with faded him the artistic kind above, former pamogoran (the spectator who played an active role in performance art of the Beat of Tilu/Doger/Tayub) changed his attention in Kliningan performance art, that in the area of the Coast of Utara West Java (Karawang, Bekasi, Purwakarta, Indramayu, and Subang) was known with the Kliningan Bajidoran term that the pattern of his dance and the performance incident him had the resemblance with art beforehand (knocked on xOBJ). In in that, the existence of the dance in the Banjet Mask was enough to be enjoyed, especially in Karawang, where several patterns of the Bajidoran movement were taken from the dance in this Banjet Mask. Choreographically the dance still menampakan patterns of the tradition (knocked on xOBJ) that contained the element of the movements of the aperture, pencugan, nibakeun and several styles of the movement mincid that in turn became the foundation of the Jaipongan dance creation. Several movements of the foundation of the Jaipongan dance apart from the Tilu Beat, Ibing Bajidor as well as the Banjet Mask were Tayuban and Pencak Silat.
The emergence of the work dance of Gugum Gumbira was initially acknowledged as the Tilu Beat the development, that indeed because of the foundation of the dance was the development from knocking on xOBJ. The first work of Gugum Gumbira was still being very thick with the colour ibing knocked on xOBJ, both from the aspect of the choreography and his accompaniment, that afterwards the dance became popular with the Jaipongan term.
Jaipongan Now
The Jaipongan work first that began to be known by the community to be the "Pulus Keser Bojong leaves" dance and "Rendeng Bojong" that both of them were the kind and the teamed dance of the daughter's dance (Putra and the daughter). From the dance emerged several names of the dancer Jaipongan that was competent like Tati Saleh, Yeti Mamat, Eli Somali, and Pepen Dedi Kurniadi. The beginning of this dance emergence could become discussions, that rumours of his centre were the erotic and vulgar movement. However from exposing several print medias, the name of Gugum Gumbira began to be known by the community, everything after the Jaipongan dance during 1980 was staged in TVRI the Jakarta central station. The impact of this popularity more increased the frequency of the performance, both in the television media, hajatan and celebrations that were held by private enterprise's side and the government.
The Jaipongan presence gave the contribution that was quite big against the instigators of dance art to more again active dug up the kind of the people's dance that beforehand inattentive. With the Jaipongan dance emergence, was made use of by the instigators of dance art to hold Jaipongan dance courses, was made also use of by the businessman of night pubs as the guest decoy of the invitation, where the further development of the efforts opportunity of this kind was formed by the instigators of the dance as an effort to empowerment of economics by the name of the Dance Studio or groups in several areas of the West Javanese territory, for example in Subang with Jaipongan the style "kaleran" (north).
The typical Jaipongan characteristics the style kaleran, namely purity, eroticism, the humorist, the spirit, spontaneity, and simplicity (natural, the way it is). That was reflected in the pattern of the presentation of the dance in his performance, there were those who was given the pattern (Ibing Pola) like in Jaipongan art available in Bandung, also had also the dance that not dipola (Ibing Saka), for example in art of Jaipongan Subang and Karawang. This term could be experienced by us to Jaipongan the style kaleran, especially in the Subang area. In his presentation, Jaipongan the style kaleran this, as follows: 1) Tatalu; 2) the Gadung Flower; 3) Kawung Gopar; 4) the Pembukaan Dance (Ibing Pola), usually was brought by the single dancer or Sinden Tatandakan (attacked sinden but could not singing but danced the song sinden/juru kawih); 5) Jeblokan and Jabanan, was the performance part when the spectators (bajidor) sawer money (jabanan) while greetings tempel. The term jeblokan was interpreted as the couple who resided between sinden and the spectator (bajidor).
The further development of the Jaipongan dance happened in taahun 1980-1990-an, where Gugum Gumbira created the other dance like Toka-toka, Setra Sari, Sonteng, Pencug, Kuntul Mangut, Iring-escorted the Puring leaves, Rawayan, and the Kawung Anten Dance. From these dances emerged several dancers Jaipongan that was competent including Iceu Effendi, Yumiati Mandiri, Miming Mintarsih, Nani, Erna, Mira Tejaningrum, Ine Dinar, Ega, Nuni, Cepy, Agah, Aa Suryabrata, and the smoke.
Today the Jaipongan dance might be acknowledged as one of the identities keseniaan West Java, this was visible in several important agendas that in connection with the guest from the foreign country that came to West Java, then was welcomed with the performance of the Jaipongan dance. Likewise with artistic missions to manca the country was always supplemented with the Jaipongan dance. The Jaipongan dance often influenced other arts available in the West Javanese community, both in performance art of the puppet, degung, genjring/terbangan, kacapi jaipong, and almost all the performances of the people and to music dangdut modern that dikolaborasikan with Jaipong became art of Pong-Dut.Jaipongan that has diplopori by Mr. Nur & Leni
The source of reconciliation
The gift reward. 2003. The description of West Javanese art. Officially Culture & West Javanese Tourism, Bandung.
(The source from wikipedia)
Angklung art from West Java (original Indonesia)
Played the musical instrument angklung not was easy like that was imagined. Needed the sensitivity of the feeling to shake angklung in order to be able to dismiss the soft and toned sound. Want to could play angklung? Come to the Mang Ujo Cave in Padang Ratu, Cicaheum, Bandung, West Java. The management of the Mang Ujo Cave will give the guidance, in fact until taught the instruction angklung. At this time, padepokan accommodated the kindergarten pupil until the interested senior secondary school studied the typical traditional musical instrument of this Parahyangan Land.
When being established around 1938, the deceased Daeng Sutigna only intended to conserve local art. Later, sound-bunyian that was caused from angklung evidently could suck extraordinary attention. Almost every day padepokan was filled up by the visitor, from that only want to just enjoyed the sound wave angklung, to that was interested understand better. Finally Daeng Sutigna increasingly serious managed his cave. He formed the group angklung with the number of players more. Daeng Sutigna seriousness bore fruit results. The group angklung him could appear in front of the Heada of State in the Conference Asian Afika in the Building of Merdeka Bandung in 1955.
Currently, although the founder has died, his heir that is Mang Ujo and Erwin Anwar stayed determined continued the Daeng Sutigna goal. In order to follow the development of the time, Mang Ujo combined the sound angklung with the other musical instrument, like kendang, the piano, the organ, or the guitar. Moreover Mang Ujo made the centre of the production and the development of the artistic creation angklung. His program was introduced angklung to the students at the same time studied about the musical instrument instruction that took this black bamboo base.
Mang Ujo afterwards developed the concept padepokan (Institute) only did not make angklung, but also the other handicraft. By appointing several officials, the Mang Ujo Cave now markets various souvenirs, including the wall decoration or the miniature of the ship and the traditional house.
To popularise the blend of musical art and the handicraft, Mang Ujo established the work was the same as the Government of the Bandung Municipality or the local travel agency. The party of the local guest and foreign will be entertained by the concert angklung, showed the mask dance, the circumcision procession, and the puppet roll over. The players all of them, yes children who were bundled into this Mang Ujo artistic group. Tourists's response in the concert was very positive. Some tourists in fact were not reluctant to go along berlenggak-lenggok followed the musical wave angklung. (Ken/Inka Prawirasasra and Effendi Kasah)
The related Link :
http://www.angklung-udjo.co.id
http://angklung-web-institute.com
WAYANG GOLEK Spectacular puppetry and gamelan from West Java
Enter a magical and enthralling world of Javanese legend brought to life through the master puppetry and music of West Java’s leading Wayang Golek troupe Giri Harja III led by Asep Sunandar Sunarya, Sunda’s most celebrated dalang (puppeteer). Steeped in a long family tradition of dalangs, he is a captivating storyteller, skilfully manipulating his elaborately carved and decorated puppets through raucous fight scenes, where puppets are thrown and spun in the air, to complex martial arts movements and the delicate and subtle expressions of traditional dance. Asep is particularly loved for his humour, using trick mechanisms in the puppets and hilarious references to every day life to entertain audiences of all ages. The accompanying gamelan music is lively and varied, characterised by dynamic dance drumming contrasting with music of incredible subtlety and beauty.
The troupe
Asep Sunandar Sunarya dalang (puppeteer)
Dedeh Herawati juru kawih sinden (female vocal)
Wandi Suhendi saron I
Asep Suhanda saron II
Dadan Suhendar demung
Dinar Mustika peking
Arief Nugraha R gambang
Endang Rahmat kendang
Aip Wiganda rebab
Akep Rahmat bonang
Cipta Dewa canoli I
Nenah Hayati canoli II
Dedi Rosida gong
Dedi Rosida wiraswara (male vocal)
Wayang Golek is a traditional form of puppetry from Sunda, West Java. Unlike the better-known leather shadow puppets (wayang kulit) which are found in the rest of Java and Bali, wayang golek puppets are made from wood, and being three-dimensional do not use a screen. They simply use a banana palm in which the puppets stand, behind which one puppeteer (or dalang) is accompanied by his gamelan percussion orchestra with (in Indonesia) up to 20 musicians. The musicians are guided by the drummer, who in turn is guided by signals which the dalang gives whenever there is a change of mood or pace required.
Traditionally these shows are performed for at least six hours during the night, attracting an adult audience of all social classes. Originally these shows might be performed, (for example), to appease the gods, to offer thanks or ask protection for a harvest or to exorcise evil spirits. They also continue to be performed at circumcision or wedding parties, or to events such as the anniversaries of large businesses. The wayang golek performance becomes a social event around which there may be many stalls selling refreshments and other small items, and the audience come and go as they please, watching or listening from all sides. They particularly enjoy the clown scenes, when much tomfoolery and satire take place.
The stories are usually based on the epic stories of the Ramayana or Mahabharata, originally Hindu epics from India, which later were adopted and adapted to suit Muslim teachings. (Only in Bali wayang kulit are still used within the Hindu faith). The six hour show of wayang golek does not tell the whole story of these epics. Instead one story might be chosen from a tiny part of the whole epic, and there are many stories within stories. Sometimes new stories are also created, but the history of the characters in the original epic is always respected. After a new story has been performed for some years, this too might become a part of the established fact/storybank(pakem) which other dalang then draw upon. Wayang golek storytelling is therefore like a tree which continues to grow many new branches from the same long-established trunk.
In Indonesia people are familiar with the different types of character appearing in the stories, which can be recognised by the size, shape colour and angle of their eyes and nose and the way they walk, talk, sing, dance and fight. It is a highly respected art form, and continues to thrive as a vibrant living tradition, offering a coded philosophy within which there is something for everyone, rich or poor, politician or artist alike.(http://www.indonesianembassy.org.uk)
