kelanawisata.id, Bantul - When visiting Malioboro, it is not complete without stopping by Jalan Wijilan. This street is full of vendors selling special dishes typical of Yogyakarta. Gudeg was first sold on Jalan Wijilan. Today, this location has become the main Gudeg center in Yogyakarta.

This special dish is made from young jackfruit cooked with palm sugar. In addition to young jackfruit, a complete Gudeg is served with swik eggs (brown boiled eggs), tofu, tempeh, spicy cow skin sauce, and, of course, areh (coconut milk gravy).

According to kebudayaan.jogjakota.go.id, Gudeg is not only made from young jackfruit, but also from bamboo shoots. In addition, there is also gudeg made from manggar (coconut flowers). One of the pioneers of Yogyakarta Gudeg is Yu Djum. Gudeg consists of Wet Gudeg and Dry Gudeg. Wet Gudeg is generally the same as Dry Gudeg, except that coconut milk sauce is added.

Quoted from Tempo, the history of Gudeg began during the construction of the Mataram Kingdom in Kotagede. Clearing the Mentaok forest revealed many melinjo and young jackfruit trees. These trees were cut down because they were considered economically worthless and abundant.

The abundance of young jackfruit has inspired the local community to create dishes made from young jackfruit (gori). The spices used include palm sugar, bay leaves, coconut milk, shallots, galangal, candlenuts, and coriander. The process of cooking gudeg is done in a large cauldron for 12 to 15 hours.

The process of cooking gudeg is carried out on a large scale. The dish is continuously stirred, giving rise to the name hangudeg, which means to stir. The origin of the name Gudeg then comes from this cooking activity.

Now, the Gudeg center is located on the east side of the North Square, specifically in Kampung Wijilan. Quoted from Visiting Jogja, in 1942, the first Gudeg seller was Ibu Slamet. Over time, Gudeg Campur Sari and Gudeg Ibu Djuwariah or Yu Djum emerged. Today, these eateries offering the typical Yogyakarta dishes can be found south of Plengkung Wijilan. (R)