There are plenty of reasons why globe trekkers include Yogyakarta on their list of Indonesian travel destinations, and one major draw is the city’s heavenly culinary scene. Don’t be surprised to find that sweet dishes dominate here. However, spicy, piquant dishes can’t be taken for granted either and will indulge your taste buds.
Here is an informative list of the delicacies in Yogyakarta, including all the dishes you need to have:
1. Gudeg
After stepping off the plane in Yogyakarta, the first thing you ought to do is to find the legendary dish, Gudeg. This phenomenal meal is made from “nangka muda”, or unripe jackfruit, stewed for a couple of hours with coconut milk, palm sugar, and various aromatic seasonings, like shallots, garlic, galangal, candlenut, and bay leaves. It gets its reddish-brown color from teak leaves, which are also added.
Gudeg Pawon
Address: Jl. Janturan UH/IV No. 36, Warungboto, Umbulharjo, Warungboto, Umbulharjo, Kota Yogyakarta
Opening Hours: 10 pm to 12 am
2. Mangut Lele
Mangut Lele is another must-taste food and features fragrant, smoky catfish. This freshwater fish, commonly caught in traditional ponds, is marinated with lime juice, salt and coriander and fried in sizzling oil, for a while. Then, it is simmered with spices, like chilies, garlic, shallots, Javanese galangal, palm sugar, and coconut milk, then smoked.
Mangut Lele Mbah Marto
Address: Sewon, Panggungharjo, Bantul, Daerah Istimewa Yogyakarta
Opening Hours: 11 am to 4 pm
3. Sate Klathak
Eating Sate Klathak, while walking through bustling Malioboro Street, is obviously fantastic. This version of mutton satay is uniquely presented, as it’s skewered on a bicycle spoke. The mutton is greased with butter, garlic paste, ginger, and sweet soy sauce, then grilled over charcoal. It’s usually served with “gulai kambing”, a yellow colored gravy.
Sate Klatak Kambing Muda Pak Tong
Address: Jl. Wijilan No.14, Panembahan, Kraton, Kota Yogyakarta, Daerah Istimewa Yogyakarta
Opening Hours: 10 am to 9 pm
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4. Mie Lethek
The English proverb “Don’t judge a book by its cover” must have been talking about Mie Lethek, which literally means “dirty noodle.” Despite its repugnant look, this typical dish, made from cassava flour, is flavorful and delicious. It’s usually cooked over smoldering coconut shells and served with shredded chicken and a boiled egg.
Mie Lethek Bantul Mbah Mendes
Address: Jl. Sarirejo, Maguwoharjo, Kec. Depok, Kabupaten Sleman, Daerah Istimewa Yogyakarta
Opening Hours: 10 am to 10 pm
Website: Mie Lethek Bantul Mbah Mendes
5. Oseng-Oseng Mercon
Are you a spicy food fanatic? If so, don’t skip out on the fiery dish Oseng-Oseng Mercon. Living up to its name, this dish literally means “exploding firecrackers” and is comprised of sauteed cow skin, fat, and cartilage and a lot of chili paste. It is one of the favorite foods among foodies in Yogyakarta and is often wolfed down with hot steamed rice and other dishes like fried catfish or chicken.
Oseng-oseng Mercon Mbok Sum
Address: Jl. KH. Ahmad Dahlan No.21, Ngupasan, Gondomanan, Kota Yogyakarta, Daerah Istimewa Yogyakarta
Opening Hours: 8 am to 4 pm
6. Bakmi Jawa
Bakmi Jawa is regarded as one of the best Indonesian noodle dishes, due to its delicate texture and savory-sweet taste. In this dish, egg noodles are sauteed with some basic Indonesian spices, such as shallots, garlic, pepper, candlenuts, chilies, and sweet soy sauce. Fresh veggies, such as chopped cabbage and spring onion are also added, as well as shredded chicken and fried egg.
Warung Bakmi Ketandan
Address: Jl. Bhayangkara No.17, Ngampilan, Kota Yogyakarta, Daerah Istimewa Yogyakarta
Opening Hours: 5:45 am to 12 am
Website: Warung Bakmi Ketandan
7. Angkringan Food
Angkringan refers to a place to chill out on the roadside, where you can savor a wide variety of traditional food and beverages, offered by local vendors and their “gerobaks” (a kind of food cart). You can opt for a variety of fritters, satays, skewered quail eggs, nasi kucing (a small portion of wrapped rice with tempeh) and much more – the dishes are all incredibly cheap.
Angkringan Gareng Petruk
Address: Jl. Margo Utomo No.30, Gowongan, Jetis, Kota Yogyakarta
Opening Hours: 5:30 pm to 1 am
8. Entog Slenget
Enjoy the hot sensation of Entog Slenget. This meaty dish has basic ingredients and is comprised of Barbary duck. The diced fowl is cooked with “rica-rica” spice paste, which mostly uses a plentiful amount of red chilies. You will find it so tender and juicy, after its long process of simmering.
Entok Slenget Kang Tanir
Address: Jl. Pakem - Turi, Donokerto, Turi, Kabupaten Sleman, Daerah Istimewa Yogyakarta
Opening Hours: 4 pm to 9 pm
9. Ayam Goreng Mbah Cemplung
Editor's Note: There's no photo available at the time of writing
Unlike ordinary fried chicken, which is unhealthy, Ayam Goreng Mbah Cemplung doesn’t threaten your health, as it comes from organic chicken – additionally, it’s accompanied by fresh, raw veggies, like Thai basil and cucumber, both which are good for the digestive system. If you love spicy food, just add the hot sambal sauce.
Ayam Goreng Mbah Cemplung
Address: Sendang Semanggi, RT.05, Sembungan, Bangunjiwo, Kasihan, Bantul
Opening Hours: 8 am to 7 pm
10. Brongkos Jogja
Brongkos Jogja is a great option if you’re looking to quench your craving for a soupy dish. The main ingredients include tofu, “kacang tolo”, or Javanese beans, egg, diced beef, chilies, and coconut milk. These ingredients are all simmered with lemongrass, bay leaves, galangal, and ground spices, including garlic, shallots, coriander, keluwak (a type of fermented fruit), and galangal. This reasonably priced dish can easily be found at Alun-Alun Kidul.
Warung Handayani
Address: JL Gading No. 2, Selatan Alun-Alun Kidul Keraton, Patehan, Kraton, Kota Yogyakarta
Opening Hours: 6:30 am to 4 pm
Craving a culinary paradise? Hit Yogyakarta!
Yogyakarta is not only a mecca for cultural adventure but it’s where you can have the most delectable cuisine on your culinary journey. From the sweet Gudeg to the delightful traditional fried chicken, this city, in the middle of Java, has proven that its food should not be missed.
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