Rhenald Kasali Criticizes Garuda Indonesia Business Class Menu
- Guru Besar Ilmu Manajemen Fakultas Ekonomi dan Bisnis Universitas Indonesia Rhenald Kasali criticized the meal selection in the Business Class cabin of Garuda Indonesia, pointing to a lack...
- The management professor argued that the national flag carrier missed an opportunity to use its in-flight dining as an active cultural showcase for international travelers before they officially...
- According to the flight's menu documentation shared by Rhenald, passengers were offered international items such as Vietnamese Chicken with Sweet and Sour Sauce and a Japanese Set Menu.
Guru Besar Ilmu Manajemen Fakultas Ekonomi dan Bisnis Universitas Indonesia Rhenald Kasali criticized the meal selection in the Business Class cabin of Garuda Indonesia, pointing to a lack of traditional Indonesian dishes on international routes.detikTravel reported that the critique followed a flight from Narita, Japan, to Denpasar, Bali, on October 21, 2026, which Rhenald detailed in an Instagram post on October 23, 2026.
The management professor argued that the national flag carrier missed an opportunity to use its in-flight dining as an active cultural showcase for international travelers before they officially land in the country. Suara Independent News and detikFood noted that the route featured standard international options rather than regional staples from the archipelago.
The In-Flight Menu Selection from Tokyo to Bali
According to the flight’s menu documentation shared by Rhenald, passengers were offered international items such as Vietnamese Chicken with Sweet and Sour Sauce and a Japanese Set Menu. While Rhenald acknowledged that the Japanese set was understandable given the flight originated in Tokyo, SuaraGarut.ID reported that he questioned why similar local accommodations were missing for travelers headed directly to Bali.
Guys, Prof. Rhenald Kasali baru ngobrol panjang dengan dua pengusaha besar wakil presiden direktur Toyota Indonesia dan ketua bidang ketenagakerjaan APINDO dan yang keluar dari obrolan ini adalah salah satu gambaran paling jujur tentang kondisi ekonomi Indonesia yang pernah gue… pic.twitter.com/oaG0vtPd0k
Rhenald suggested that dishes like ayam betutu from Bali, sei sapi, or ayam tangkap from Aceh could easily replace or accompany the existing international selections. Kuliner bukan sekadar soal rasa, tetapi juga bagian dari identitas dan promosi sebuah negara,
Rhenald wrote in his social media post, emphasizing that local cuisine serves as a vital tool for tourism and creative economy promotion.
Cabin Service and Recent Airline Menu Updates
Despite his critique of the menu offerings, Rhenald praised the overall service quality and cabin maintenance provided by the airline staff. Terlepas dari itu, saya memberi jempol atas pelayanan para kru dan kebersihan pesawat. Meski bukan kuliner Indonesia, chef-nya pintar dan masakannya pun enak,
he stated, commending the culinary execution despite the absence of local recipes.
Concurrently, Garuda Indonesia introduced several traditional Nusantara menu choices for its Business Class passengers through its official Instagram account. The rollout included siomay tenggiri for flights departing Jakarta toward Yogyakarta, Solo, and Semarang, alongside gohyong ayam, described as a culinary blend of Chinese and Betawi cultural influences.
Pending Response from Garuda Indonesia Management
detikTravel reached out to Garuda Indonesia to obtain an official statement regarding the management professor’s public critique. As of publication, the airline has not yet issued a response or formal comment concerning the availability of regional dishes on its long-haul and regional Business Class flights.