Gudeg Jogja

Gudeg, sweet jackfruit stew (or simply jackfruit curry), is a traditional food coined to the city of Jogja, hence the name Gudeg City. Visitors with a deeply-held sense for a genuine local food should try Gudeg. Some might find the look is not very appetizing however many who have given a try, got actually addicted to it.

Even though the original recipe has its root in Jogja, you can now find Gudeg in many other cities in Java. Thus there are many variants of this food each with a bit different touch of taste. Nevertheless, in general there might be only two major mainstreams: Gudeg Solo and Gudeg Jogja. Gudeg Jogja is characterized by unique sweet taste. Visitors from outside the city can enjoy Gudeg Jogja offered in many restaurants and lesehan stalls throughout the city. They can also buy it and take it away as a gift. Visitors can have Gudeg in a particular gift package (box, bamboo basket, or a special gudeg pot).
In Jogja you can find Gudeg in different places. Notable among those are: Gudeg Bu Tjitro, Gudeg Tugu, Gudeg Bu Amat, Gudeg Wijilan and Gudeg Juminten. Javanese people often have Gudeg for their breakfast menu. So you can always find Gudeg easily from small stalls at the corner of the streets or nearby traditional markets early in the morning.

Either served in restaurants or for take away gift, Gudeg typically comes with Sambel goreng krecek and Opor ayam. The food is best served with warm steamed rice with additional choices of ingredients: tempe, tahu (tofu), egg and shrimp cracker. A number of restaurants offer unique dining experience, where visitors can enjoy Gudeg in the indigenous Javanese-designed interior and atmosphere while getting pleasure from the music of Gamelan. Many feel the experience of tasting the delicious local cuisine while listening to soothing gamelan represents a moment of life enjoyment. This is unsurprisingly in line with the Javanese concept of nglaras roso (indulging the feeling).

For those of you who are curious about Gudeg and want to give it a try in your own kitchen, here is the recipe:


Ingredients :
- 1/2 lb. (250g) Jack fruit
- 1 kg chicken (cut into small pieces)
- 3 eggs

Spices:
- 4 teak leaves
- 5 shallots
- 10 candle nuts
- 10 garlic cloves
- 4 Indian bay leaves/Salam
- 2-1/2 tsp. (12g) coriander seeds
- 1-1/4 tsp. (6g) cummins
- 1/4 cup (62ml) coconut/palm sugar
- 2 cup (500ml) coconut milk
- 2 tsp. (30g) tamarind
- 5 cups (1.25l) water
- 2 inches bruised galangal
- 1 tsp salt

Cooking Steps:
- Cut jack fruit about 1 inch thick and wash.
- Boil it with teak leaves until tender.
- Boil the eggs
- Drain the jack fruit then pound it
- Ground shallots, candle nuts, saute paste
- Add chicken pieces, salam leaves, galangal and remaining spices
- Stir fry until chicken changes color.
- Pour 4 cups of water and coconut sugar, bring to a boil.
- Add jack fruit and simmer until chicken and vegetables are tender.
- Add coconut milk 5 minutes before it's done, bring back to a boil.

Best served with warm steam rice and shrimp cracker.

Other version of Gudeg recipe can also be found at :
Gudeg ala Swiss
Gudeg ala Singapore