The Best of Yogyakarta

Ayam Goreng Tojoyo

Writer's block is not the reason why I have not written for a while. I am just too busy with my left brain and let alone my right one. It is now the time to have the right brain working again!

In my recent visit to Yogyakarta, I was lucky enough to be in the team with people who just loved to eat and tried different food without too many arguments on the selection process. The decision on where to have dinner (and dessert afterwards) was reached unanimously, most of time within seconds. On the first day we went to Ayam Goreng Tojoyo 3 on Jalan Urip Sumoharjo. This is local-style free-range fried chicken, savory dishes. The chicken was minimally seasoned and fried without flour. But, the taste was so good that I could easily have two portions of rice with it. The vegetables (lalapan) were fresh and fit well with the chili dipping sauce (spicy sambal).

Ayam Goreng Bonita

On the second day we chose to have another kind of fried chicken, namely Ayam Goreng Bonita on Jalan Kusumanegara. It was still local-style free range fried chicken, but it is sweet marinated (bacem). The place is much smaller and modest compared to Ayam Goreng Tojoyo, but it made you feel homey and you could chat warmly with the owner. It was amazing that chicken with different way of cooking could give you the ultimate satisfaction in having the meal. Do not even try to compare the price with similar food in Jakarta as the cost was much cheaper in Yogyakarta.

Nasi Gudeng Bu Hj. Amad

We also had the opportunity to have nasi gudeg as breakfast after running few kilometres inside the University of Gadjah Mada. Gudeg is the slow cooking sweet jackfruit stew. Not too far from the campus, there was Nasi Gudeg Bu Hj. Amad on Jalan Kaliurang, which was ready to serve at 7.00 AM. This dish along with opor ayam and sambal goreng krecek is a typical accompaniment for the famous nasi gudeg Yogya. There are two types of gudeg, wet and dry. Gudeg Bu Hj. Amad was a dry one and sweeter, and it tasted well with the spicy sambal goreng krecek. A portion of nasi gudeg krecek sayap costs IDR 20 K, which is also more inexpensive compared to the same food in Jakarta. So, clear message for the travelers, Yogya is heavenly space for local culinary lovers.

Tempo Del Gelato

Finally for the dessert, you just could not miss Tempo Del Gelato in Jalan Prawirotaman. In the evening, the place would be full of the teens, but you would still find the spots to sit as they had a spacious store. Two flavors in one cup would cost you IDR 20 K. I like the level of sweetness and one small cup is a right portion for me.

Until the next culinary experience...