Pekalongan-Tegal Culinary Tour

Even though my recent trip to Central Java was full of business schedule, there were still the evenings when we could take a stroll and enjoyed a little bit of the city. Whenever traveling, I always try to look for the local eatery. So, what I shouldn’t miss in Pekalongan and Tegal are tauto (sauto) and megono. Tauto is a kind of soto using local tauco (preserved soy bean pastes) as the main ingredient for the soup. Megono is close to “urap” of jackfruit with shredded coconut and kecombrang/honje flower, sometimes stinky bean (pete) is added to enrich the flavor.

Garang Asem

Megono

Our driver recommended a place where we could have nasi megono; Rumah Makan H. Masduki, which was near the alun-alun (Jalan Alun Alun Pekalongan). It was a simple restaurant without AC, but clean and homey. We ordered not only megono, but also Garang Asem. This was the first time I had Garang Asem with meat, since usually I had it with chicken. Garang Asem “Pekalongan style” was very much alike rawon in its appearance, but it was lighter, and there was a slight taste of sour and spicy in its savory broth. The whole green pepper (cabe rawit utuh) was cooked together with the soup. We were very satisfied with both megono and garang asem and it was proven by each of us ordering additional portion of rice. One portion of garang asem and one portion of megono were only IDR 19,000 and IDR 5,000, respectively. I considered this a real inexpensive great culinary experience.
 

Sauto Sedap Malam-Tegal

Bowls of Sauto ready to serve

Our journey continued in Tegal. Since we could not find a tauto place that was open in the evening in Pekalongan, we decided to have one in this marine city (Kota Bahari). Sauto Sedap Malam “Daán Jenggot Asli”, again recommended by our driver, was located on Jalan Raya Talang no 100. I would call this place warung soto, with long tables and benches. Your order came quickly, a bowl of sauto mixed  with rice. One could order chicken only or chicken + beef tripe + intestines for the meat. Ask for more onion leave if you like. The size of the bowl was not that big, so as you shouldn’t be surprised if I could have two bowls. I could not recall the price of one portion, but it costs around IDR 100 K for 5 portion sauto and hot tea for drinks. Perfect for a rainy night!