Roti Gempol: Bandung’s Legendary Bakery That Has Survived Since 1958
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- Roti Gempol, a longtime favorite in Bandung, began as a home bakery in Salatiga in 1958 before moving to Bandung in 1991.
- The business reportedly grew during the 1997–1998 monetary crisis, when it continued operating as other shops closed.
- Now run by the third generation, Roti Gempol says it uses no preservatives and supplies breads to hotels and cafes across Bandung.
Roti Gempol is one of Bandung’s long-running bakeries that has remained in business for decades. Few customers realize the shop’s story began not in Bandung, but in Salatiga, Central Java.
Located on Jalan Gempol in Bandung, the eatery—tucked inside a narrow alley—has become a regular target for food lovers drawn by its comforting, appetite-rousing menu.
The shop offers both sweet and savory breads. Customers can choose between white bread and whole wheat, with sweet fillings such as chocolate, milk, peanut, pineapple, kaya, and strawberry. Savory options include cheese, egg, and meat, with prices starting at around Rp 17,000.
Many assume Roti Gempol is originally from Bandung, but the business traces its roots to Salatiga in 1958. At the time, it operated under the name Homemade Bakery.
Wasito, who manages the store, said the first generation—descendants of Dutch Indonesians—started the business.
“It began in 1958 in Salatiga, before we moved to Bandung. Back then it was home production. The recipe likely came from the Netherlands, because our grandparents were of Dutch descent,” Wasito told detikJabar on Thursday, Jan. 29, 2026.
Around 1991, the second generation brought the business to Bandung. The bakery’s growth, he said, accelerated during the 1997–1998 monetary crisis.
“Thank God, the peak was during the 1997–1998 crisis. When other shops closed, we kept selling and stayed afloat. The proceeds helped us buy new machines and ovens,” Wasito added.
Now managed by the third generation, the shop says it continues to prioritize quality. Without preservatives, its breads typically last only three to four days at room temperature.
That consistency has helped Roti Gempol build trust as a supplier for hotels and cafes in Bandung.
“Now many cafes have opened and they take bread from here, including hotels,” Wasito said.
Beyond its sweet breads, the shop also serves other items, including yamin noodles, for dine-in customers or takeaway. Open daily from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m., the small shop is often busiest on weekends.
Indonesianpost.com | Detik
