A Story of Sekoteng Pak Woh

Every city and region definitely has its own unique and authentic culinary delights. Likewise in Pekalongan City, a city that is synonymous and famous as Batik City.

There is a culinary menu that you must try, namely Sekoteng. This drink is generally made from ginger water. It can be enjoyed in warm or cold. In a bowl of ginger water you can also find peanuts, white bread and green beans.

However, Sekoteng in general is different from Sekoteng in Pekalongan City. Sekoteng in Pekalongan has a unique appearance and served with ice cubes. Enjoyed it when the air is hot, hmm it is so delicious.

You can find the Pekalongan city version of Sekoteng when you stop at Pak Woh's food stall. In a bowl of sekoteng containing a mixture of milk and syrup, plus white bread, ice cubes, biscuits, and misua topping shaped like a stick but white in color.

The typical culinary delights of Pekalongan City, Sekoteng, is also called a cultural acculturation. Because there is a reciprocal nature in the making process, elements of foreign food ingredients are absorbed by the local population, then a new culinary menu is created and becomes a regional specialty.

If we look at the city of Yogyakarta, there is bakpia which is actually a taste originating from China and has been merged. In Jakarta, there are Betawi soto, porridge, and Laksa. In other cities there are also such culinary like that. In fact, the culinary here cannot be separated from strong influence of India and China.

Enjoy the freshness of Sekoteng Pak Woh, as a form of cross-cultural culture.

Stop by Warung Makan Pak Woh, which has been around since 1977 and has been passed down from generation to generation.

Not only sekoteng that you can find here, but also other typical Pekalongan City menus, such as nasi megono.

Enjoy sekoteng during the day is really delicious. The recipe is very special. The syrup is not bought from an existing manufacturer, but is made by the owner himself. It made the sekoteng has its own taste, as a characteristic of Sekoteng Pak Woh.

Many people also think that misua topping is like noodles, actually it is not. Misua is made from wheat flour, when it placed on sekoteng over time it will be soften. It tastes delicious, whether you enjoy hard or soft.

Customer Pak Woh come from various generations, not only from old people, but also from millenial generation in all levels of society. Eventhough the place is small and simple, the guests come from everywhere.

The freshness in a bowl of sekoteng will invite us to learn about cultural acculturation. Misua comes from China, while biscuits, bread and condensed milk come from European influences. Meanwhile, the location of Sekoteng is located in the Arab Village, and the ingredients are Javanese. Wow, it is very complete, isn't it?

As a result, the food created from combining many cultures becomes common. It can be enjoyed by anyone all over the world.

What is the price and where is location of Sekoteng Pak Woh?

Only by spending IDR 7,000,- you can enjoy a bowl of sekoteng by Pak Woh. It is really cheap.

To find the location of Sekoteng Pak Woh is very easy. Just type on Google Map, 'Sekoteng Pak Woh', the map will take you to your destination. Precisely on Jl. Memories, Klego, East Pekalongan District, Pekalongan City.

Prof Dr Murdijati Gardjito from Gadjah Mada University said that Indonesia as an archipelagic country is very rich in culture, religion, ethnicity, race and customs. It's very vulnerable to clashes. But the least dangerous cultural clash is a cultural clash in culinary arts, right?

In fact, the harmony of cultural acculturation can be enjoyed through the freshness of Sekoteng, which Pak Woh sells from year to year. Enjoy it...

(Triana Dewi, Part of Buku Tulis ESG)