kelanawisata.id, Gunungkidul – Fried grasshoppers, also called fried locusts, are a specialty food of Gunungkidul, Yogyakarta. Fried grasshoppers are a superfood that contains high protein. This food alternative has now become a traditional dish for the people of Gunungkidul.

According to telkomsel.com, the culinary history of fried grasshoppers began with a pest attack in 1898. The edible grasshopper is the wood grasshopper with the Latin name Valanga nigricornis. This cuisine has become a hereditary tradition and a local wisdom of the people of Gunungkidul.

Quoted from Espos.id, according to research conducted by the academic community of Gadjah Mada University, Fitria Handayani stated that the phenomenon of consuming grasshoppers has been going on for a long time. It is now believed to be a traditional heritage and has become a common eating habit among the people. 

The potential of fried grasshoppers as an alternative gastrotourism destination. This supports the national tourism goal regarding culinary tourism destinations available in Indonesia. Besides its tourism potential, fried grasshoppers can become an economic asset. This delicious snack can serve as a souvenir for tourists visiting Gunungkidul.