The Food of Yogyakarta: Central Java, Indonesia

As most of you know, I am a Yogyakarta man at heart and as such love the variety of food available there. Oddly enough though, the food I most often eat in Yogyakarta is Nasi Padang!.

Yogyakarta's traditional dish is Gudeg Yogya and can be purchased just about anywhere and at anytime of the day. Sampling the variety of foods available in the area or island you visit is exciting and especially for your palette. When I first went to Yogyakarta I tried all the traditional dishes in the first six months!. But when in Yogya it is the street food that is the most delicious. Every night after the shops close out come the street vendors and it is great to sit on mats and get to know the locals whilst munching away on some delicious tucker.

Herman Saksono who has a great blog and worth checking out, has complied a list of the delicious foods available in this beautiful city:

1. Nasi Gudeg

This is probably one of the most popular dish in Jogja. A plate of warm rice is served with a variety of dishes including chicken, boiled egg, tofu, and tempe cooked in thick coconut sauce, very sweet and slightly spicy. Very Jogja and a must taste. For added flavour, gudeg rice is served with Sambel Goreng Krecek which is very spicy and hot.

2. Nasi Langgi

Another unique food. This dish is basically a serving of warm rice with Empal (Fried Beef), Abon (Preserved and Sweetened Beef), Perkedel )Potato Cake), Rolled Omelette and Sambal. Wrapped with banana leaves using special type of wrapping method this dish gives you the ultimate culinary experience.

3. Mie Goreng Jawa (Javanese Fried Noodles)

Tired of Chinese style Fried Noodles? Give Javanese Soft-Fried Noodles a try. Unlike Chinese Fried Noodles with its fish and pork flavour, Javanese Fried Noodles is lighter but sweeter with dominant shallot flavour.

4. Ayam Goreng Kalasan (Kalasan Fried Chicken)

This popular dish is also known as Ayam Goreng Mbok Berek (Mbok Berek's Fried Chicken). Garlic and coriander flavored and served with the crunchy kremes-kremes. Another must taste food if you visit Jogja.

5. Soto
Light and appetising this type of soup is perfect as breakfast. Often served with Tempe, Perkedel and Liver Satay. Add a few drops of lime juice for extra flavor.

6. Kipo Kotagede

This infamous snack can only found in Kotagede, the original capital of Ancient Mataram Kingdom. This bite-size delicacy is made of grated coconut, sweetened with coconut sugar, wrapped with pandan-green colored tapioca dough and baked under warm coals.

7. Bakpia Pathuk

Another popular delicacy. Originated by Chinese settlers, Bakpia is basically a baked sweet green bean wrapped with special wrapping. There are another variant of this snack where the green bean is substituted with black bean. Both are very tasty.

8. Jadah Kaliurang

Don't miss this if you are visiting Kaliurang. A sweet and spicy flavored Tempe sandwiched with cake made of rice and ketan. Unique and filling!

9. Wedang Ronde

Often served at night this warm ginger flavored drink is mixed with peanuts, tapioca cake, and kolang-kaling. Great for extra warmth at night.

10. Wedang Bajigur

Although bajigur is a Javanese swear word don't let this stop you from tasting this warm drink. This unusual drink is made of sweet coconut milk with mild ginger flavor mixed with breads and preserved fruit.