Saturday Night Nostalgia in Yogyakarta
40 Years Ago
By: Jacob Ereste
Freelance Journalist
The final discussion topic on Saturday night, November 29, 2025, following a meeting with Gadjah Mada University students at the Pawon Tempuran Restaurant in Yogyakarta, concluded with a presentation by Prof. Budi and Gus Guntur Tjahya about the increasingly growing and flourishing culinary scene in Yogyakarta and its surrounding areas, such as Angkringan Pak Gito, a popular hangout after morning exercise on the edge of Kentungan Field, Jalan Raya Kaliurang, Yogyakarta.
The morning exercise was also part of Prof. Budi and Gus Guntur Tjahya’s recommendation to overcome the urge to indulge in culinary tourism in order to stay healthy and fit and avoid the threat of being overweight.
The discussion continued after morning exercise, with General Eko Nugroho Hadi also joining in. The discussion became even more lively with new terms like “Iman” (Iman) and “Amin” (Amen), and the use of a “jengki” (a beautiful but unusable bicycle) from the General, who was rich in humor and a rich vocabulary of sanepo (affectionate words).
The interlude chat ranged from the revival movement, awareness, spiritual understanding, to nostalgia for the beautiful days of youth. It seemed to compete with the term “eating food in a food box,” including the term “lose the game but win with it.” Even the term “humuk camel” (camel hump) was equally captivating.
Thus, the name was no longer overly important, as the taste alone was more than enough.
After Isha prayers, the group departed from the Palagan area for a basi koyor dinner, heading to Brigjen Katamso Street via AM Street. Sangaji continued along Pangeran Mangkubumi Street, just for the nostalgia of Yogyakarta 40 years ago. It felt important to explore the Saturday night atmosphere on Malioboro, just to enjoy the Nasi Koyor recommended by Prof. Budi, who has a comprehensive collection of maps depicting the diverse cuisine of Ngayogyakarta Hadiningrat Province, continued their Saturday night chat at Wedang Palagan, enjoying a refreshing and delicious drink of warm ginger milk.**
Yogyakarta, November 29, 2025
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