The city of Jakarta turns 497 years old on June 22, 2024. Various celebrations were held to enliven Jakarta’s birthday. Being the most populous city in Indonesia, Jakarta is also famous for many things such as its tourist attractions and culinary tours.
Here are 5 Betawi food recommendations, which one is your favorite?
- Cente Cake
Sweet cente cake is one of the traditional Betawi snacks that is still often found today. This cake is made with ingredients that are easily available in Betawi, such as coconut milk, tapioca pearls and mung bean four & starch. It is said that this cente cake is influenced by Chinese culture, as seen from its name “cente” which means “beautiful”. In Betawi society, sweet cente cake is usually served at traditional events such as weddings and circumcisions.
- Nasi Uduk
Who doesn’t know nasi uduk? Nasi uduk is a traditional dish that is familiar to Indonesians. Nasi uduk is usually eaten as breakfast and is present at traditional Betawi events. Unlike regular white rice, nasi uduk uses white rice cooked with coconut milk and other seasonings. Nasi uduk is also usually served with fried egg, tempeh orek, fried chicken, and sambal kacang. Its savory taste makes this dish a favorite of many people.
- Pepe Cake
This colorful layered cake from Betawi is also one of the favorites of many people. Pepe cake is also commonly served during celebrations or religious holidays. With a sweet flavor and chewy texture, kue pepe is made from sago or tapioca flour, cooked with coconut milk and sugar. This cake is also rectangular in shape and has various layers, and can be created with various colors. Quoted from Seni Budaya Betawi, kue pepe is said to symbolize a close relationship in brotherhood that never breaks.
- Soto Betawi
There are various types of soto spread across Indonesia, one of which is Soto Betawi. Soto Betawi also contains offal and a mixture of beef. One of the characteristics of Soto Betawi is the coconut milk sauce, which produces a savory taste. Reporting from the Ministry of Education and Culture’s WarisanBudaya page, the term soto Betawi is said to have been first popularized by Li Boen Po in 1971 to name his soto so that it had a characteristic in the midst of the rampant soto trade at that time.
- Putu Mayang
This sweet traditional cake attracts many people with its bright color and noodle-like shape. This putu mayang cake is made from rice flour and served with brown sugar sauce and coconut milk. Reporting from Kompas, putu mayang cake has a connection with Betawi folklore, one of which is the story of Jampang Mayangsari. The word “Mayang” is said to be associated with the beautiful character “Mayang Sari”. In folklore, the word “Mayang” is described as something choppy, and beautiful, like the shape of putu mayang cake.
