Pondok was first opened in 2006 as an eatery canteen at Singapore Indonesian Embassy. Later on due to the overwhelming positive response, Madame Indah decided to expand it into a proper restaurant.

Madame Indah set up the first Pondok Jawa Timur Restaurant at Far East Plaza, and later on expanded its premises to The Atrium, where it is now the new wing of Plaza Singapura.