122 x 120 mm, 172 pages

London, UK and Jakarta, Indonesia (English-language)

First published in 2026

Creator: Rahel Stephanie (Spoons)

Editor: Sabrina Citra

Design and art direction: Nadine Hanisya, Ratta Bill (Tiny Studio) & Nano Zantara

From the team behind Pedas comes the delightfully packaged Cantik Manis, a one-off special edition published by Spoons and Tiny Studio spotlighting traditional Indonesian market sweets. Cantik Manis—a direct translation of ‘pretty and sweet’, and the name of a pastel Indonesian dessert made from mung bean flour, coconut milk and tapioca pearls—is a collaboration across countries and disciplines that aims to get at the heart of Indonesian culture, femininity, and the exoticised gaze through which the two are often viewed. 

In Rahel’s own words: ‘More than just a favourite Jajan Pasar (loosely translated as Market Sweets) choice, Cantik Manis is a reflection of my femininity: an embrace of sweetness, delicacy and playfulness… this zine unpacks diasporic nostalgia, exoticisation in the western culinary industry, and modern romance.’

Inside, find eight saccharinely illustrated sweet recipes from Bolu Kojo to Kue Lapis, complete with accompanying personal reflections, interwoven between features on the role of sweet snacks in Jakarta, desserts as love language, and the importance of conscientious consumption. A delight to behold!

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