Yogyakarta is famous for its great food. With a large international community and great local recipes the city offer plenty of culinary options for visitors. I want to share with you 5 of the best culinary choices in Yogyakarta.

Also read:

The Best Places to Eat in the South of Yogyakarta

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Gudeg is one of the famous local food here in Yogyakarta. This is one dish that you should definitely try when you visit Yogya. While there are many places that serve Gudeg in Yogyakarta, my favourite one has to be the one on Janturan street, which is called Gudeg Pawon. Besides its tasty Gudeg, eat in the restaurant gives you a great experience of old fashioned Javanese style kitchens – it reminds me a lot of my grandma’s kitchen. The restaurant is a tiny bit of a guilty pleasure of mine whenever I come and eat at Gudeg Pawon. The restaurant is open from 10-12 pm. That is right! That late night! Enough about gudeg, I want to share with you my other favourite food/drinks that you can try when you are in Yogyakarta. Let’s start, shall we?

• Nasi/Rice Pecel – Warung in Demangan Baru Street

There is nothing fancy about this small restaurant. The place is clean and pretty basic. They only have limited menu of Nasi Kuning (Yellow rice) and Nasi Pecel. The best thing is they are really tasty (so tasty!). It is a good choice for breakfast (if you are lucky, you can get it for lunch, they run out quite quickly), and it is pretty cheap.

• Es/Ice Campur – Warung Handayani in Alun Alun Kidul Keraton

Warung Handayani is really famous for the Nasi Brongkos. Nasi Brongkos is the other local cuisine of Yogykarta, but the dish is less famous than Gudeg. It is basically rice with red beans soup. To be honest, it’s not my favourite, the taste is just too boring for me. Other than Nasi Brongkos, Warung Handayani also sells Nasi Soto (which I like), Es Campur (which I freakin love) and much more. Es campur is a drink made from Tapai (traditional fermented food found), coconut flesh, probably syrup, coconut milk and ice cubes.

• Sate/Satay Klatak – Warung Mas Bari, near Wonokromo Market, Pleret

Oh my god, I think this Sate Klatak is the best goat Satay that I have ever eaten in my entire life. Hahaha. The satay is pretty simple though. They just grill the meat with a tiny of salt and probably garlic. The unique thing about it is that the skewer is not bamboo, but comes from the spokes of a bicycle. This apparently makes the meat more tender.

• Chocolate Lava Cake – Lotus Mio in Tirtodipuran Street

Lotus Mio is a place that I visit quite often. They have pretty awesome simple decorations – almost everything is made from wood. You kind of get that peaceful ambiance, especially with the small Buddha statues in front of the door. Anyways, basically the food and gelato are all tasty, but I want to highlight the dessert; the Chocolate Lava Cake here is to die for – it’s a chocolate cake served with a scoop of vanilla ice cream, and so far the best dessert in town.

• Bebek Goreng/Fried Duck – Warung in Mangkuyudan Street

Actually I prefer grilled duck rather than fried duck, but seriously I can’t really find a good one here. This small warung in Mangkuyudan street somehow met the minimum requirement, even though it is fried duck. The nasi uduk (coconut rice) is nice; the sambal (sauce) is so tasty and the important thing the duck is tender. I personally think it is better than Bebek Cak Koting, the famous one in Yogyakarta.

There you go, all my favorite yummies in Yogyakarta after I lived here for -/+ 3 months. I shall update this list of mine again when I find another delicious food / drinks in the future. This is a hard list to built without drooling. In the mean time, share your favourite places too. I want to know and give them a try!

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Traditional Drinks From Indonesia

Indonesia is rich in spices, is also rich with traditional drinks that are fresh, unique, and healthy. Many Indonesian people believe that the use of a mixture of spices as the manufacture of beverages would provide health benefits so that the typical drinksIndonesia is still favored by the people.

Indonesia lined up along the equator have a wide variety of typical drink that is refreshing and healthful. Like food, drinks in each region also has its own peculiarities.

Some traditional drinks are very popular in Indonesian society. Various types of drinks are often served in formal occasions or casual events.

Drinks

The existence of a typical drink from Indonesia is a picture of a typical Indonesian culinary richness that is not owned by any country, including:

Bajigur

 Bajigur is one typical drink from the area of West Java. This drink has a sweet and savory taste because it is made from coconut milk and brown sugar. This drink is usually served in a relaxed moment and leisure, and is believed to increase appetite. Bajigur scent that mingled smell of pandan leaves presents its own sensation of this traditional beverage menu. Moreover as it flows through the esophagus and ending in the stomach. Warmth coursed through the body immediately. Bajigur usually served with boiled yam, boiled bananas or boiled peanuts.

Bajigur easily found in West Java, consumers were most people in the area. Including tourists from outside the region who are curious about this drink. This drink is safe to be consumed by small children to adults. Bajigur main ingredient is palm sugar, and coconut milk. To add flavor, also mixed a little ginger, salt and vanilla powder.

Bandrek

This drink is suitable to be consumed in cold weather. Bandrek made of ginger and brown sugar, as well as additional spices such as cinnamon, cloves and pandan leaves.

Sekoteng

Sekoteng is drink native of Central Java with the ginger flavor that served hot. Other ingredients are usually mixed into a drink sekoteng are mung beans, peanuts, pacar cina, and chunks of bread. Sekoteng usually sold around by using a cart to carry. One side of ginger water in the pan along with the stove while the other side is a mixture of ingredients and place to prepare sekoteng.

Wedang Jahe

Wedang originated from Javanese language which means ‘hot drink’. Many variants wedang is similar but not identical. As the name implies, wedang jahe is made from ginger and palm sugar, sugar, cardamom, cloves, lemongrass, and black pepper. Drinks from the land of Java is usually added pandan leaves to make it more delicious.

Wedang Ronde

Wedang ronde is a traditional beverage that comes from Java. Wedang itself means drinks. Wedang ronde is steeping ginger water containing balls, called ronde. Usually served with roasted beans, kolang-kaling, and pieces of bread.

Wedang Uwuh

History of Java’s traditional beverage store various stories. Many types of traditional beverage that is born of the creativity or trial and error. There are various types wedang, namely wedang ginger, wedang ronde, wedang secang, and wedang uwuh.

Of the various types of wedang, wedang uwuh a unique one when seen from its name. Wedang which in Javanese means to drink, while uwuh itself means garbage. But do not be mistaken, this is not just any wedang garbage, but garbage is meant here is the organic foliage, which of course contains a lot of benefits.

Some of the benefits of this uwuh wedang, namely to lower cholesterol, as anti-oxidants, refreshing the body, relieve fatigue, cure and prevent colds, and certainly can warm the body.

Bir Pletok

It’s main ingredient is ginger, cardamom, lemongrass, cinnamon, kayu secang, and sugar.

This drink is perfect to drink at night to keep warm. Name pletok also unique origins. In the Dutch colonial period and the Japanese invaders often seen drinking beer in checkpoints.

Betawi people do not want to lose. They make their own beer that put into a bamboo tube and mixed with ice cubes. When the drinks in a bamboo tube shaken, will hear a pletok-pletok so that named pletok.

Bir Pletok is believed to have various benefits, including relieving hot, prevent colds , and warm the stomach.

Cendol

Cendol is typical of Indonesia beverage made from rice flour, served with grated ice, liquid palm sugar, and coconut milk. It was sweet and savory. In the area of Sunda, the drink is known as cendol while in Central Java known as es dawet.

Rice flour is processed in a way given the green dye then printed through a special filter, so the shape of grains. At first natural dyes from pandanus leaves are used, but now used artificial food colorings.

This drink is usually served as dessert or as a snack. Matches are presented in the daytime

Es Teler

Es Teler is a drink containing pieces of fresh avocado, young coconut, jackfruit, and dilute coconut milk. Then added sweetened condensed milk and syrup. Ice can be used shaved ice or ice cubes.

Another variation of es teler containing grass jelly, kolang-kaling, pacar cina, pieces of apple, papaya, sapodilla, melons, bread, and jelly. Until es teler to be difficult to distinguish from es campur.

Es Goyobod

Popular in Garut, West Java. Many were not familiar with this ice, because only in Garut area it was. Goyobod made from water, brown sugar, flour hunkwe, salt and pandan that cooked until boiling and thick, then allowed to until frozen. After that cut into pieces a box shape. Kuah made from a coconut milk with brown sugar, salt and pandan leaves. Goyobod served with young coconut, avocado, coconut milk and shaved ice on it.

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When you visit Bali, don’t miss to go to Jimbaran. It is a fishing village and tourist resort in Bali, Indonesia. Located just at the south of Ngurah Rai International Airport, the beach is cluttered with seafood restaurants and some of the finest luxury hotels in the world.

Jimbaran is well-known as tourist’s (both domestic and international) favourite place to enjoy the real taste of delicious Balinese grilled fish (ikan bakar). From Kuta/Nusa Dua/Legian are about 15 minutes, and 30 minutes from Denpasar. There are 3 areas where you can find seafood restaurants:

1. Jimbaran Bay/Muaya Beach Area 1

There are many seafood restaurants and cafes along Muaya’s Beach to Four Seasons Hotel. Access to this area is from Jl. Raya Uluwatu, near Bali Intercontinental Hotel.

There are 2 favourite restaurants here Manega and Nyoman, therefore actually most of the restaurants here have same menu. Average price is above Rp. 50.000, – per portion per person. Usually contains if fish (you can choose type of the fish), prawn, squid, rice, vegetables and 3 different of sambal, including ‘sambal mentah’ Bali (Bali typical of raw sambal). If you want to eat lobster or crab, you need to pay extra … which means more expensive. Thing that made Jimbaran Grilled fish is different is because all the fish is marinated with special spices and grilled over a fire of coconut husks (batok kelapa) rather than charcoal grilled. Make it very delicious! And you can enjoy it with the view of the beautiful beach and sunset!

2. Jimbaran Bay/Jimbaran Area 2

Located more toward north from Jimbaran area 1, this place was actually a former area for grilled fish restaurants before its expanded. To get here you can go to Jl. Pamelisan Agung, near Jimbaran Traditional market, then straight forward to the beach where you can park your vehicles. From here you can see restaurants and cafes in the left side. Menu and price is the same as Jimbaran area 1.

3. Jimbaran Bay/Kedonganan Area 3

It’s located near Ngurah Rai Airport, north side of the Jimbaran Beach. Also many seafood restaurants here with same menu, but some have price lower than Rp. 50.000,- per portion. This area is also close with fish market Kedonganan where you can buy fresh fish from the fisherman. If you want to take home ‘Ikan Bakar’, they also offers you to grill it with special marinate just like in restaurants, also get some sambal. You only need to pay thousand rupiah per kilo of fish.

The best time to eat here is ‘late afternoon’, when you still can enjoy the beautiful blue sky, listen the sound of the waves, while waiting for the sunset. It’s an unforgettable moment to see when the sun slowly disappears … the sky turn into red … and suddenly it’s dark … no more brightness … only the reflection of the moon light on the water.

To create more romantic air, all restaurants in Jimbaran are using candles or small light … great place for romantic dinner with your loved one!

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1. Nasi Goreng

wordpress.com / Via foodandchic.com

As one of the country’s signature dishes, nasi goreng is definitely Indonesians’ favorite. A plate of stirred fried rice complemented with eggs, prawns (chicken, salted dried-fish, goat meat, or anything of your choice), chilli, and veggies will surely make your mouth water. Don’t forget the kerupuk.

2. Mie Goreng

flickr.com / Via Flickr: guccibear2005

Fried noodles is also on top of Indonesian’s favorite list. Mie goreng is usually served with the same complementary ingredients as nasi goreng. The taste is competitive!

3. Mie Ayam

Via Flickr: flamingpot

If you’re starting to notice that mie is a popular dish here, it’s because it is! This another variation of noodle dish is served with chicken broth soup. It is usually topped with sweet seasoned chicken, scallion, kai choy, and dumplings.

4. Bakso

Via Flickr: tya

Bakso is Indonesian meat balls served in chicken broth soup, rice vermicelli or yellow noodles (depends on your liking), sprinkled with fried shallots, celery, and of coursesambal.

5. Nasi Uduk

flickr.com / Via Flickr: tehkici

Nasi uduk is another Jakarta’s traditional food. The rice is cooked in coconut milk so it becomes savory. It is then mixed with other additional dishes such as ayam goreng, omelette, fried tempe, and crispy crackers made from paddy oats.

6. Bubur Ayam

flickr.com / Via Flickr: monsterijo

This ultimate breakfast of the country is made of rice porridge served with shredded chicken, cakwe (Chinese crullers), crispy fried shallots, and chopped scallion. As always, the more the kerupuk, the merrier.

7. Sate

flickr.com / Via Flickr: swimupgood

Sate or satay is skewered grilled meat served with peanut sauce. If you happen to pass by a sate vendor and they’re grilling it outdoor, blowing meat smoke with a hand-held fan, it is most likely to attract customers with its distinguished smell!

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If you love to eat, then Yogyakarta is a great city to visit. The city has a distinct culinary culture. I want to share best restaurants in Yogyakarta, but first let me tell you a bit about the signature food of Jogjakarta.You should try Nasi Gudeg and Nasi Brongkos.

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Gudeg is basically a young unripe jackfruit that is cooked over a 24 hour period. The dish is served with steamed rice, cow skin, chicken/egg, cracker and temple/tofu vegetable dish. Wondering where to eat Gudeg in Yogyakarta? I can suggest three places; Gudeg Sagan(Jalan Professor Dr Herman Yohanes No.53), Gudeg Pawon (Jalan Janturan No. 36; opens at night 10 pm) and around Wijilan street area.

Nasi Brongkos is the step sister of Nasi Gudeg. It is not as famous as Nasi Gudeg, but it is just as tasty. My favourite place to eat Nasi Brongkos is at Warung Handayani Alkid (alun-alun kidul/south town square). Warung Handayani sells two types of Nasi Brongkos, which are Nasi Brongkos Telur (egg) and Nasi Brongkos Koyor (beef).

If you are a risk taker, go for the Nasi Brongkos Koyor, steamed rice with beef soup (comes with quite a lot of fat). The taste of the broth is quite unique. It is a mix of savory, sweet and slightly spicy.

Not up for a challenge? Go try their Nasi Brongkos Telur, steamed rice with soup that contains tolo beans, tofu, hard-boiled egg and crackers. Nasi Brongkos Telur is usually preferred by foreigners.

If you crave international or not-completely-local food and just want to eat at nice restaurant in Yogyakarta, worry not. Jogja cafes and restaurants are mushrooming here and there around the city.

I want to share best restaurants in Yogyakarta, of course according to me, that provide (mostly) international cuisine and are located in the South of the town. Hopefully, I can write down about best restaurants in the North of Yogyakarta too in the near future. Let’s start, shall we?

1. Nanamia Pizzaria

Their pizza (I love Diavola pizza) are good, the pasta is super tasty and I can’t get enough of their Berrymia drink. Nanamia has two outlets. One, the first restaurant, is located in the north of the city and the second is located on Jl. Tirtodipuran No.1, Mantrijeron.

The restaurant in the South is my favourite. If you are travelling with kids, Nanamia in Tirtodipuran is great. It has a proper area for your kids to run around in. They have simple swing in the restaurant and it makes the whole ambiance even better for kids.

2. Milas Restaurant

Speaking of Yogyakarta restaurants, Milas is one of a kind. It’s a great place to go if you are a vegetarian, or if you want to eat something different. Milas, which is located at Prawirotaman 4 street, is like a secret garden.

I love the Tempe (fermented soya beans) salad and the ice cream. They serve Indonesian and International dishes. Besides the restaurant, Milas also has a small corner where they sell organic stuff and some souvenirs (books, wallet, bags, etc) made from Indonesian fabric like batik and lurik.

3. Golden Clopatra Restaurant

Golden Clopatra is one of the few places that serve Middle Eastern dishes in Yogyakarta. The restaurant is located on Mangkuyudan street No. 21. They cook super tasty Chicken Shish Tawook, Egypt Kebab Cofta and Humus.

Besides the food, they also provide Shisha with various flavored tobacco. If beer is a big deal for you, then this restaurant isn’t the one that you should try. Yes, they do not provide alcohol.

4. Mediterranea Restaurant

The above three restaurants are in no particular order, but I have saved the best for last. Mediterranea is my favorite place in town. You’ll be surprised at how busy your plate is for the price you pay. They are bloody good!

Some advice: Do make an early reservation if you are thinking to eat during prime time (7-9 pm) and always give their special of the day a chance. Most of the time, their special of the day is super awesome.

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