Yogyakarta’s Coffee Culture: The Famous Angkringan

Talking about Yogyakarta coffee culture, angkringan is one of the aspects. Those who have once stayed in Jogja would certainly be familiar with angkringan, a simple cart with plastic tarp roof serving as a food tenant, with menus such as nasi kucing, quail eggs satay, chicken intestine satay, and wedangan (various kinds of warm brewed beverages). Nasi kucing is the distinctive menu of an angkringan-a small handful of rice accompanied by some cooked tempe or anchovies wrapped in banana leaves and paper. It is called nasi kucing (literally translated as 'cat-rice') due to the amount of rice in each single package, which is said only enough to feed a cat.

Besides being a fun place for discussions with friends until late at night, angkringan is also a place for you to turn to whenever you find only few thousands in your pocket. No wonder that angkringan is still going strong amidst new modern cafes emerging like mushrooms during rainy season; it even considered the symbol of jogja's humble life. Here are 3 famous angkringans in Jogja I’ve selected for you!

1. Angkringan Lek Man

Angkringan Lek Man has been very famous in Jogja, with Jos Coffee as the top menu-a cup of coffee served hot and added with pieces of flaming charcoals ('jos' is the sound produced when the flaming charcoal is plunged into the coffee). The food menu is relatively similar to other angkringans, such as nasi kucing, various fried snacks, quail eggs satay, chicken intestine satay, chicken skin satay, etc.

Lek Man is the son of Mbah Pairo, who was said to be the first angkringan seller in Jogja, selling since the 1950s. The legendary story is what makes Angkringan Lek Man never lacks customers, either those coming to eat or just hanging out until late night. People from outside Jogja are also known to visit Angkringan Lek Man, particularly because it is located near Tugu Train Station.

2. Angkringan Pak Jabrik

Angkringan Pak Jabrik, or mostly known as Angkringan KR (due to its location in front of the office of Kedaulatan Rakyat/KR Daily), is one of the most famous angkringans full of customers. Set up on the porch of Kedaulatan Rakyat Daily, the angkringan never lacks customers, particularly during weekends. The menu is, somehow, more varied than other angkringans. It offers nasi kucing of different variants, namely sambal teri (anchovies and ground chili), oseng tempe, oseng chicken liver, oseng mushroom, hot spicy mushroom, tomato sambal, etc. Besides various fried snacks, a variety of dishes are also available, including quail eggs satay, chicken intestine satay, snail satay, etc.

Angkringan KR is set in a large area, allowing customers to choose whether they would eat the foods seated on the benches, on the park chairs, or lesehan (sitting directly on a mat, with no chairs) along the porch of the office. It has also beenrenowned particularly as the place where various communities hang out, either arts communities, college/university students, or several motor clubs.

3. Angkringan Pak Jack

Jogja has always been identified with angkringan, and one of the most famous ones is Angkringan Pak Jack. Located on a strategic spot, on Sudirman St, West of Gondolayu Bridge, the angkringan is where teenagers, young fellows, and even older ones would head to. While offering various types of nasi kucing, fried snacks, and satays.

Angkringan Pak Jack also offers Jos Coffee-hot coffee added with flaming charcoals. The large venue allows for numerous customers, particularly during the night. Also, it is located near Gondolayu Bridge, a hangout spot for youngsters.

Dikka Rafiansyah

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