‘Sorry to squash your excitement, but “Bong,” is not the elongated device one would use to smoke Mary Jane. It’s actually a coffee shop in Jogjakarta named after the owner. What’s appealing, or unappealing about Bong depending on your perspective, is that it showcases a prison theme throughout the cafe, with bars covering the windows and walls. It’s certainly an unorthodox choice for decor, considering coffee goers crave an intimate environment when it comes to sipping their Java while pounding away on a keyboard or burying their noses in a book. Thankfully, displays of vintage household items like TVs, telephones and sewing machines help soften the “slammer” interior.

I popped into Bong after treating myself to a pre-New Year’s facial and haircut at neighboring Jogja Beauty. The menu is largely Indonesian, with a few Singaporean and Malaysian influences sprinkled into the mix. I vigorously sipped up an iced “Kopi Tarik,” which translates to pulled coffee. This traditional coffee style of Joe made up of Arabica beans from Aceh, Sumatra, is repeatedly poured from one vessel to another using a strainer, hence the “pulled” name. The result is a thick texture and a deep flavor. To accompany this decadent drink, I ordered the roti canai – an Indian inspired flatbread prominent in Malaysia – to dip into a rich curry filled with braised chicken and potatoes. With such charming and tasty fare, you forget that you’re actually in prison.