Yogyakarta offers delicacies worth trying. Most taste sweet and spicy, as locals prefer. For foreigners who can't stand spicy food, they can ask for the spiciness to be reduced if possible.
Gudeg
Gudeg is the most iconic food in Yogyakarta, even people nickname it as the city of gudeg. This dish is made from raw jackfruit, cooked in thick coconut milk for few hours until the coconut milk is absorbed to the jackfruit and its color turns red. It tastes savory and a little bit sweet. This dish is usually served along with steamed rice, duck eggs and opor ayam (chicken curry). There two types of gudeg : gudeg basah ('wet' gudeg with a bit curry which is served fresh) and gudeg kering (dried gudeg which is purposedly taken back home on long travel).Bakpia
This snack is the most-wanted specialty gift from Yogyakarta. The sweet treat is made from green bean mixture, and wrapped in thin flour crust. Now bakpia comes in various flavors from cheese, milk, chocolate, pineapple, and many more. Pathuk, an area near Malioboro, is well known for many bakpia sellers. So bakpia pathuk becomes popular to hunt for this sweet treat.
Brongkos
The main ingredient is beef. Cooked with coconut milk, sweet soy sauce, ginger, lemongrass, galangal and chili, brongkos tastes sweet and alternatively spicy. Brongkos is always served with rice. For the best Brongkos, go to Warung Handayani.
Pecel
Another must-try on the list is Pecel, a dish made of various vegetables dressed with spicy peanut sauce. Pecel is just like salad, but the vegetables are cooked and the sauce dressing is usually spicy (so you must say not to use chili if you don’t like it). Spinach, green bean and bean sprouts are cooked in boiling water, drained and served with spicy peanut sauce.
Kopi joss
Java used to be so related to coffee (kopi). The local brew is served strong and black traditionally on burning charcoal. And that’s not it! The hot burning charcoal is also served in your glass. Wondering how it tastes? It’s unique and delicious! It’s said the charcoal draws out the acidity.
Kopi Joss Lik Man who has been selling kopi joss since 1940s is one you should try.
You can arrange to stop by and give a try of these delicacies on a private tour (conditions applied).
Enjoy your trip with Jogjatripper.
