Journal of Transnational American Studies

This article explores the history of Dutch Indonesian grocery stores in Southern California. Following World War II and the Indonesian War of Independence, thousands of Dutch and Dutch Indonesians migrated to the United States and established themselves throughout Southern California. Among the neighborhoods of Los Angeles, immigrants opened dozens of Dutch Indonesian supermarkets that catered to both communities. This article unpacks the complex relationship between Dutch and Dutch Indonesian immigrants in the postcolonial era and the legacies of Dutch colonialism in the US context. I argue that these stores not only serve as the main cultural connection between immigrants and their homeland but also are sites of cultural discussion over Dutch Indonesian connections. Additionally, this article also situates Dutch Indonesian cuisine within the rising popularity of Indonesian cuisine in Los Angeles and examines the status of Dutch Indonesian stores in Southern California.