Brekecek - Cilacap Culinary

It is now time for local authentic culinary! I just learned about Brekecek during my recent trip to Cilacap in Central Java. Brekecek is a dish which is made from Pathak Jahan fish-head or basur (a kind of poultry). It is a combination of two words: BREK which means falling (to the plate) and KECEK which means dikecek-kecek or mixing the ingredients. By stipulating Brekecek as Cilacap local authentic culinary through a Decree issued in November 2014, the Head of Cilacap Regency would like to make it as Cilacap culinary tourism icon. One of the places that serve Brekecek is located in Jalan Slamet No. 5 in Cilacap. It looks like a canteen that could accommodate about 25 people.

Brekecek Fish Head and Basur

There is diversity in the cooking ingredients, namely red pepper/chili, green pepper/chili, shallot, coriander, candle nuts, ginger, turmeric, lemon grass, coconut sugar, bay leaf, galangal and last but not least salt. Usually the locals like it very spicy, therefore they put lots of red chili and green chili. For sure, you’ll sweat a lot when enjoying the meal, but it is the spiciness that makes it so delicious. I even sipped the juice from the fish-head followed by a mouthful of rice. I fell in love right away with this dish and I would certainly look for it whenever I visit the city. Bravo to Holcim team who took part in preserving this local authentic dish.

Brekecek with Vegetable and Rice