Strolling Around Malioboro, A Major Shopping Street in Yogyakarta

by - February 13, 2022

This time,  I will share my trip to Malioboro (Special Region of Yogyakarta) that actually not so far away from my hometown. Because I visit there often, I never have serious effort to take proper documentations 😅

I have never consider Malioboro as a place that would attract tourist visitor because I often visit this place at least three times in a year. One day I moved to Bogor for my study, and my university friends eagerly want to visit Malioboro on the way back of our study tour. Is Malioboro that famous? I surprised.

Malioboro is very famous location in the heart of Yogyakarta City. It just southern part right after the railway of Yogyakarta (Tugu) Station. To get here, you can take direct train from other city that stop at Yogyakarta (Tugu Station) or take an airport train (kereta bandara) from Yogyakarta International Airport that bound for Tugu Station. At the exit gate, walks to the eastern direction for 5 minutes then you will find a street named Malioboro.

Malioboro's Pedestrian Strees
Pedestrian Street in Malioboro

Yes, actually Malioboro is name of a street. However, you can find a lot of street vendors that sell clothes, herbs (jamu), souvenirs, etc. You will find a lot of stuff is sold with high price, but I tell you the secret that you should bargain at least 1/3 times from the initial price. That's how it works.

You can also find traditional stalls (angkringan or hik) that sell local foods. Enjoying angkringan foods with black coffee may be the best way to feel the local wisdom. If you are looking for Gudeg (the jackfruit curry, the specialty food of Yogyakarta), it's better to look for a restaurant. 

Malioboro's Pedestrian Street 2
Other side of pedestrian where becak make a stop

You may wonder why there are a lot of pedicab or cycle rickshaw? The locals call it becak. It is human-drawn carriage that several years ago still popular in Indonesia. Recently the number of becak decreasing, even I forgot when the last time I used this kind of transportation. I am not sure what the reason, may be because the increasing of bike taxi or ojeg online popularity. But here, you can still find some of them.

Kereta Kuda in Malioboro
Kereta kuda that waiting for the customers

Every time I visit Malioboro, I interested in the horse-drawn carriage or kereta kuda in Bahasa Indonesia and locals call it in Javanese Language as andong, dokar or bendi. The horse-drawn carriage is one type of traditional transportation in Indonesia, I used this transportation in my home town when I was a kindergarten and elementary student. Currently, it is only used for tourism purpose.

Selasar Malioboro

Selasar, in bahasa, is a porch or veranda (some are not roofed). It also the lowest hall where the people or low-ranking employees face. However, in home property, selasar is a room, aisle or a path that connects one point to another in a building, for example from one door to another. Refers to the position of station, selasar Malioboro and Malioboro itself, I wonder that the last definition is the most suitable.

Selasar Malioboro is built by PT Kereta Api Indonesia (PT KAI, an Indonesian Railway Company) as a showroom for the small micro and medium enterprises and an area for local cultural arts performances. Its also integrating Yogyakarta (Tugu) Station with Malioboro Street tourist area. This is quite new place that available for public started from March 2021.

Selasar Malioboro
The building of Selasar Malioboro

What is inside Selasar Malioboro? I know you must be impatient to find out. There are local people that sell traditional food and coffee called as "Angkringan". In my hometown (near Solo) this stall is more familiar with the name of "Hik", even actually they are the same things. Angkringan normally open after 6 p.m., but Selasar Malioboro open from early morning.

Angkringan in Selasar Malioboro
Table and bench to enjoy the food

Now, I will explain you how Angkringan works.

There are several carts that displaying diverse food. Ask for the plate from the merchant, then choose food you want to eat. This time I choose nasi rica-rica ayam (rice with spice mixture chicken), satay of quail egg mixed with chicken organ, and tahu bacem (tofu boiled with brown sugar). Then, ask the merchant to warm your food. Wait in the bench, the merchant will bring back to you when the food are ready.

Angkringan's food
Foods displayed above the cart

Because the concept of angkringan is to eat what you want while have conversation with your friends, you can request more of food if the conversation hasn't finish or you are still hungry. You will pay the whole order after you finish your business there. The price is not really expensive. I pay Rp 12.000 for the food I ordered.

Angkringan's food
Grilled food I ordered

I will tell you the most favorite drink in angkringan that famously known as Kopi Joss. It is a typical Yogyakarta coffee served with hot charcoal. Once made, the black coffee is immediately mixed with pieces of charcoal that are still smoldering so that it makes a 'josss' sound. This voice later became the origin of the name Kopi Joss. This coffee is usually sold at angkringan-angkringan in Yogyakarta. A cup of jos coffee costs around 5.000 rupiah. You should give a try if you are a big fan of coffee.

Kopi Joss
Kopi Joss (picture taken from travel.tempo.co)

Above is my story about Malioboro and angkringan in Yogyakarta. I have more story about my visit in Taman Sari that I will post later. 

See you in the next travel story.

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