Minta Bon
Can I Have the Bill?
'Bon' comes from Dutch — a reminder of Indonesia's colonial history.
Learn to ask for the restaurant bill in Indonesian with "Minta Bon." The word "bon" is borrowed from Dutch, reflecting Indonesia's colonial history. Combined with the universal air-writing gesture, this phrase makes paying at Indonesian restaurants effortless.
💬Example Sentences
Minta bon, ya. Terima kasih.
Can I have the bill, please. Thank you.
Pak, minta bonnya.
Sir, can I have the bill.
Sudah selesai makan, minta bon tolong.
We're done eating, the bill please.
🏭Cultural Context
The word "bon" is one of many Dutch loanwords in Indonesian, a legacy of over 300 years of Dutch colonial rule. Other Dutch-origin words include "kantor" (office, from "kantoor"), "handuk" (towel, from "handdoek"), and "gratis" (free). In Indonesian restaurants, the bill does not come automatically -- you must ask for it. The air-writing gesture (pretending to write on your palm) combined with "minta bon" is universally understood. Tipping is not traditionally expected in Indonesia, but it is increasingly appreciated in tourist areas. In smaller warungs, you often pay at a counter rather than at the table, and the bill might be calculated by counting empty plates.