Reviewing The History of Angkringan Which Became a Phenomenal Place to Eat

BOGOR-TODAY.COM, BOGOR – In Yogyakarta, angkringan is a phenomenal place to eat that is popular and always a magnet for tourists, both foreign and local.

This is what makes angkringan still known today.

History of Angkringan

Looking at a few years ago, angkringan has actually been around since the 1930s. This angkringan was created by a man named Eyang Karso Dikromo or more familiarly called Jukut from Ngerangan Village, Klaten.

Initially, in running his business, Eyang Karso often changed professions, and one day he became interested in the food business at the age of 15. In fact, he was willing to go wander to the Solo area after his father died. Eyang Karso, who is the eldest child, has to support his family.

In Solo, Eyang Karso met Mbah Wiryo. The two of them also worked together to create a food business which would later be known as the forerunner of angkringan.

The emergence of the idea of ​​​​making an Angkringan

Initially, angkringan was not what we are today. At that time, Grandmother Karso and Mbah Wiryo made fish food.

Terikan is a food from Central Java which is made from various protein ingredients cooked in thick gravy.

They both sell this food at night because at that time not many were selling food at night.

While selling, Grandmother Karso and Mbah Wiryo slowly added to the menu of food and drinks being sold.

The two of them got the idea of ​​selling drinks such as ginger wedang, hot sweet tea, hot coffee, to various other traditional health drinks that can be consumed to warm the body at night.

Since there are many people who stop by to enjoy a drink without wanting to eat fish, Eyang Karso and Mbah Wirso also have an idea to serve a snack menu or village snacks.

Such as boiled bananas, fried bananas, fried cassava, fried sweet potatoes, and others.

Making special village dishes (HIK) makes angkringan starting to become familiar in Central Java.

Origin of the name Angkringan

The name angkringan comes from the Javanese language, namely angkring which means a tool and a place for selling food around.

So in the early days of selling, Eyang Karso and Mbah Wirso chose to peddle their food using a pikul cart.

The shape of a pikul wagon is a cart with a small, medium-sized cart on the right and left, with a wooden pole on the top.

With this shoulder, traders can easily carry their wares while walking around.

Then, in 1970, angkringan were no longer sold by carrying, but were sold in the form of a cart with two wheels beside it.

According to the story, it was replaced in the form of a wheelbarrow because a merchant had tripped over him, then the hot water in the pick-up cart spilled on the seller.

Besides being able to make safety safer, this angkringan cart shift is also carried out so that more merchandise can be carried and later people can eat more freely.

Over time, there have been many debates that occurred if the concept of this place to eat originated from Solo because it first appeared in Solo.

Then, there are also those who claim that the angkringan comes from Klaten. Because the person who first pioneered angkringan came from Ngerangan Village in Klaten.

It turns out, after being investigated there is a reason why angkringan is more popular in Yogyakarta and has become an icon of the city.

In the 1950s this place to eat has spread to all regions in Central Java, including Yogyakarta. It was in Yogyakarta that the angkring traders experienced their heyday.

This is because the city of Yogyakarta has many students who often stop by angkringan at night to fill their stomachs while chatting.

The many angkringan menus and the cheap prices are the reasons for students and tourists to come there.

One of the most popular menus there is cat rice. Cat rice is a culinary dish in which there is rice and side dishes.

The side dishes can be scrambled tempeh, balado eggs, fried chili sauce, potatoes ati, and so on.

The uniqueness of cat rice is its small size so it is similar to the portion of cat food.

Usually people will buy 2-3 yellow rice to meet normal eating portions.

Not only cat rice, there are various types of satay which are also a favorite food that many buyers try.

There are intestine satay, quail eggs, liver gizzard, and so on.

Angkringan actually has a unique philosophy which can be said to be one of the biggest reasons why this place to eat is still favored by the people of Indonesia.

This place always serves special village dishes. This place is considered an egalitarian place or the equality of one’s social status with others.

So, buyers who come regardless of social strata can enjoy their food while chatting freely until late at night even though they don’t know each other. Conversation material can vary.

Starting from discussions about social, economic, to political. This factor makes angkringan suitable to be visited by anyone. (*)