Gudeg (Vegetarian-friendly)
Gudeg is the breakfast of champions for the hungry Yogyakartan. The main ingredient is jackfruit that’s stewed with spices and coconut milk for several hours, resulting in its sweet flavour. It’s then served with rice and other side dishes like braised eggs, fried chicken, and cow skin. The dish ticks every box that Yogyakartans love: it’s sweet, mildly spicy, and savoury.
There are 3 variations of the dish: gudeg kering (dry), gudeg basah (wet), and gudeg manggar (coconut flower). The first 2 simply refer to how the coconut milk gravy is cooked; the gravy is cooked until it's dry in the former while it’s served directly in the wet version. The coconut flower is a unique addition because it has a meaty mushroom-like texture, it’s worth a shot!
The main ingredients of gudeg are vegetarian, skip the meat for tofu or tempe and you have yourself a vegetarian meal!
Try it at: Gudeg Yu Djum 167
Brongkos
Brongkos is another hearty dish to start your day in Jogja. Beef is braised in dark soy sauce along with other herbs and spices like lemongrass and ginger. The resulting flavour is - you probably guessed it - sweet and savoury. It’s normally served with rice, eggs, and krupuk (crackers).
Try it at: Soto Ayam Kampung dan Brongkos Bu Rini
Ayam Geprek
This dish was first made in 2003! Geprek is a Javanese word which means “crushed”. The story goes that a customer requested for a mixture of sambal on his fried chicken which led Ruminah - the dish’s creator - to smash the chicken in a way that kneads the sambal into the meat. The dish has since been imitated and stalls selling the dish have mushroomed in both Jogja and Indonesia at large.
Try it at: Ayam Geprek Bu Rum (where it was first made)
Sego Pecel/Nasi Pecel (Vegetarian-friendly)
Sego pecel or nasi pecel is rice with vegetables and spicy peanut sauce. The vegetables used may include, but are not limited to: kangkung, spinach, bean sprouts, and papaya leaves. It’s normally eaten together with krupuk udang (prawn crackers) and fried tempe. If you’re a vegetarian, this dish will be a lifesaver for your Jogja trip!
Try it at: Nasi Pecel Bu Ramelan
Kupat Gule
Craving for a savoury dish that’s not sweet? Meet kupat gule, a spicy meaty soup dish that packs a real punch. The main ingredient is rice cake and selections of chicken, mutton, and beef. It’s then topped with braised eggs and drenched in a rich flavourful broth. It’s the perfect rainy day comfort food!
Try it at: Kupat Gule Bang Doel
Mangut Lele
Mangut lele is smoked catfish drenched in a spicy coconut milk sauce. The smoky flavour blends perfectly with the richness of the coconut milk. This dish isn’t the easiest to find in street stalls because it’s more of a home-cooked meal.
At Mbah Marto - the most renowned shop that sells mangut lele - everything is done traditionally. The catfish is smoked with charcoal and all the side dishes are displayed for you to choose from in a homely manner. It’s just like eating at grandma’s! The restaurant has been open since 1922 and their loyal customers have never stopped coming.
Try it at: Mangut Lele Mbah Marto
