Explore a variety of alluring Jogja specialties with distinctive flavors, from gudeg to bakpia, which will pamper your tongue in every mouthful.
Yogyakarta, or better known as Jogja, is not only famous for its natural beauty and historical cultural sites, but also has an extraordinary culinary wealth.
Jogja’s culinary specialties are not only appetizing, but also rich in unique flavors, influenced by tradition, history, and cultural diversity.
Each typical Jogja food has a story and way of serving that illustrates the diversity of local culture. For those of you who are on vacation in Jogja, here are 10 Typical Jogja Foods that you must try to experience their deliciousness.
1. Gudeg
Gudeg is a very famous Jogja specialty food and is almost always the main choice for tourists who come to this city. Made from young jackfruit cooked with coconut milk, brown sugar, and various spices, gudeg has a distinctive sweet and savory taste.
Usually, gudeg is served with white rice, free-range chicken, pindang eggs, and krecek chili sauce. There are two types of gudeg commonly found in Jogja, namely wet gudeg which is more soupy, and dry gudeg which has a denser texture.
One of the places famous for its delicious gudeg is Gudeg Yu Djum, which is already well-known among tourists.
2. Bakpia
Bakpia is a typical souvenir from Jogja that is very popular with tourists. This cake is made from flour dough filled with sweet green beans and then baked until brown. Bakpia has a soft texture and a sweet taste, making it a snack that is suitable to be eaten on various occasions.
Many shops in Jogja sell bakpia, such as Bakpia Pathuk 25, which is already famous for its quality and delicious taste. Nowadays, bakpia is also available in various flavors, such as chocolate, durian, and cheese.
3. Klathak Satay
Sate Klathak is a type of satay that is very typical of Jogja. Unlike satay in general, Sate Klathak uses goat meat that is skewered using iron bars, not bamboo skewers.
The goat meat used for this satay is carefully selected and seasoned with simple spices such as salt, pepper, and a little sweet soy sauce, which gives a savory and slightly sweet taste.
After being grilled, sate klathak is served with soy sauce and a plate of white rice. The savory and delicious taste makes Sate Klathak one of the must-try foods in Jogja, with famous places such as Sate Klathak Pak Pong.
4. Crackers
Krecek is a typical Jogja food made from cow or buffalo skin that is boiled and cooked with spicy chili sauce. Usually, krecek is served as a complement to gudeg, but it can also be eaten as a main dish.
Krecek has a chewy texture with a spicy and savory taste that is perfect when combined with warm rice. For those who love spicy food, krecek is the right choice. You can taste krecek in many food stalls in Jogja, especially those that sell gudeg.
5. Cat Rice
Nasi Kucing is a simple food that is very popular in Jogja, especially among students and local people. Nasi Kucing consists of white rice served with simple side dishes, such as anchovies, chili sauce, tempeh, or fried chicken.
Nasi Kucing has a small portion, making it suitable as a snack or light meal. Usually, nasi kucing is sold at a very affordable price, especially in street stalls that are widely found around Yogyakarta. This food is perfect for those who want to enjoy typical Jogja cuisine on a limited budget.
6. Stir-fried Firecrackers
Oseng-Oseng Mercon is one of Jogja’s spicy dishes that is very appetizing. This food is made from beef or chicken cooked with various spicy herbs and spices, such as cayenne pepper, shallots, and garlic.
Its spicy and savory taste makes Oseng-Oseng Mercon very popular among tourists and local people. For those of you who like the challenge of spicy flavors, Oseng-Oseng Mercon is a must-try dish.
The place that is famous for Oseng-Oseng Mercon is Warung Oseng Mercon Bu Narti which is always crowded with visitors.
7. Tengkleng
Tengkleng is a typical Jogja dish made from beef bones boiled in coconut milk and various spices. This dish has a very rich and savory flavor, with meat that is tender and falls off the bone easily. Usually, tengkleng is served with white rice and chili sauce.
Tengkleng is very popular in the areas around Sleman and Malioboro, where you can find various stalls offering this dish. Its delicious and unique taste makes tengkleng one of the foods you must try when visiting Jogja.
8. Soto Jogja
Soto Jogja is a typical version of soto that is widely found in Yogyakarta. Unlike soto in general, Soto Jogja uses free-range chicken as the basic ingredient with a clear, savory broth.
In this soto, there are usually complementary ingredients such as bean sprouts, boiled eggs, lontong, and fried onions. Soto Jogja is very suitable to be served in the morning as breakfast, because it tastes fresh and warm.
Some places that are famous for Soto Jogja are Soto Kadipiro and Soto Ayam Pak Bari which have long been known by the people of Yogyakarta.
9. Kalasan Fried Chicken
Kalasan Fried Chicken is one of the famous fried chicken dishes in Yogyakarta. This fried chicken is cooked in a slightly different way, namely by soaking it first in special spices, such as coconut milk and spices.
After that, the chicken is fried until it is brown and has a crispy outer texture, but remains soft on the inside. Kalasan Fried Chicken is usually served with warm rice, chili sauce, and fresh vegetables.
One of the places that is famous for Kalasan fried chicken is Bu Tini’s Kalasan Fried Chicken which is always crowded with visitors.
10. Jadah Tempeh
Jadah Tempe is a traditional food typical of Jogja made from sticky rice shaped like rice, then mixed with fried tempeh. Jadah tempeh is usually eaten with chili sauce, making it a simple yet flavorful food.
This food is very popular in the Kaliurang area, and is often found in various food stalls. Jadah Tempe is perfect to eat as a snack or light meal while traveling around Yogyakarta. Its savory and spicy taste gives a unique sensation that will not be forgotten.
Yogyakarta is not only famous for its culture and tourist attractions, but also for its captivating cuisine. From the sweet and savory Gudeg, to the mouth-watering Sate Klathak, every dish in Jogja offers a distinctive taste that cannot be found anywhere else.
Not only that, there are also various snacks such as Bakpia and Jadah Tempe that you can bring home as Typical Jogja Souvenirs.
Don’t miss the opportunity to taste Jogja’s culinary specialties when visiting this city, because every mouthful offers an unforgettable experience. These souvenirs are not only delicious but also represent the rich cultural heritage of Jogja.
