Kelanawisata.id, Yogyakarta – Every Ramadan, the Kauman Village area in Yogyakarta is filled not only with a religious atmosphere, but also with the enticing aroma of local culinary delights that attract tourists. At this point, Kicak cuisine emerges as one of the most sought-after traditional foods at the Kauman Ramadan Evening Market, creating a unique gastronomic experience that exists only during the fasting month.

The kicak snack itself has a long history in this area. According to residents, this food has been known since the 1970s when a resident named Mbah Wono began making and selling kicak in front of his house before breaking the fast. From there, kicak gradually became widely known and turned into a typical Ramadan culinary treat closely associated with the traditions of Kauman Village.

This food is a type of takjil cuisine that is not easy to find outside of the month of Ramadan. Because of the high demand during the holy month, many vendors at the Kauman Ramadan Evening Market also sell kicak, making this food a culinary symbol associated with the atmosphere of ngabuburit and breaking the fast in Yogyakarta.

"This tastes really sweet, and what's unique here is that it has jackfruit shreds," said Endra, a tourist from Central Java who sampled the Kicak snack.

In terms of ingredients, Kauman Kicak is made from white glutinous rice that has been steamed and finely pounded until it resembles jadah, then topped with grated young coconut, palm sugar, and slices of jackfruit that provide a sweet sensation and the distinctive aroma of pandan mixed with the aroma of jackfruit. This mixture has a soft texture and a sweet-savory taste that is very suitable to be enjoyed as a takjil meal after a day of fasting.

Another uniqueness is the presence of Kicak, which truly becomes a culinary sight that can only be enjoyed if Kawan Kelana visits the Kauman Ramadan Evening Market during Ramadan. Tourists from other cities and even abroad often make kicak the main goal for hunting iftar snacks, because this food seems to become an iconic experience of breaking the fast that is authentic to Yogyakarta.

It should be noted that the Kauman Ramadan Evening Market, where kicak is widely sold, is not just an ordinary market. The narrow alleys in Kauman Village transform into rows of food stalls offering a variety of traditional Ramadan snacks. This makes it one of the most exciting culinary destinations to explore during the time of ngabuburit. 

For travelers who want to try this cuisine, visiting Yogyakarta during the month of Ramadan is the perfect time. The Kauman Evening Market is strategically located in the city center — not far from the zero kilometer point of Malioboro and the Yogyakarta Palace — making it easily accessible on foot or by using local transportation.

With its distinctive taste, strong cultural history, and its connection to warm Ramadan traditions, Kauman Kicak not only enriches Yogyakarta's culinary heritage but also becomes a gastronomic attraction that must be tried when visiting the City of Gudeg during the holy month of Ramadan.