TIMES HONGKONG, JAKARTA – Nights in Yogyakarta are always the right time for culinary hunting. This time, we were in the Prawirotaman area, an area famous for its various mouth-watering stalls and cafes. Among the crowds of tourists going back and forth, one legendary stall steals the attention: Warkop Mie Nyemek Ibu Siti.

When night falls, the atmosphere around Prawirotaman comes alive with various smells and sounds. Amidst the sparkling lights and rows of street vendors, the boisterous voices of visitors could be heard coming from Mrs. Siti's small stall.

This stall has been established since 2014 and serves Nyemek Noodles with a recipe passed down from Mrs. Siti's older sister, who started this business in 2001.

"We still maintain the traditional cooking method using charcoal. We also mix the spices ourselves," said Mrs. Siti during an interview at her shop. This cooking method provides a distinctive smoky taste, different from ordinary instant noodles.

National Champion with Authentic Concoction

Not just an ordinary stall, Mie Nyemek Ibu Siti has received national recognition. In 2022, Mrs. Siti won second place in the Indomie instant noodle mixing competition which was held to celebrate Indomie's 50th anniversary.

"We won second place nationally, and for Central Java, first place," said Mrs. Siti proudly.

Ibu Siti's Nyemek noodles are famous for their uniqueness. In one portion, visitors can choose duck eggs or chicken eggs as a complement, and can adjust the level of spiciness according to taste. "The favorite here is Mie Nyemek with duck eggs, sweet and savory with the addition of soy sauce," he explained.

Long Queue, But Worth It

The popularity of this stall is beyond doubt. Based on reviews on Google, Mie Nyemek Ibu Siti's stall is often filled with visitors, and queues can reach one to two hours during peak hours. This stall is open from 18.00 to 03.00 in the morning, and the crowd usually peaks from 20.00.

“When it's busy, there can be long queues. "But, in my opinion, it's worth it, especially if we're hanging out with friends," said a loyal visitor.

When we tried a portion of Mrs. Siti's signature Nyemek Noodles, the smoky taste from the charcoal was very pronounced, plus the texture of the noodles was just right, not too soft.

"It's different, because it uses charcoal and Mrs. Siti's hands which makes it special," said another visitor who has become a regular customer.

One portion of Mie Nyemek is priced at IDR 14,000 for those using chicken eggs and IDR 17,000 for duck eggs. Affordable prices for great taste!

Worldwide Taste

Not only is it liked by local people, Warkop Ibu Siti is also often visited by famous artists and figures, including Pon Salim, the owner of Indomie himself, who visits this stall to appreciate Ibu Siti in person.

“At that time Pon Salim came directly here. "We have the photo as a souvenir," said Mrs. Siti.

At her stall, Ibu Siti also provides a variety of flavors, such as rendang and Aceh, all of which use her secret spices and special blends. It's not surprising that this stall is always busy and has become a mandatory destination for tourists visiting Yogyakarta.

Location Info and How to Enjoy

For those of you who want to try, this stall is located in the Prawirotaman area, Jogja, very easy to access and close to various hotels and accommodation. With a traditional atmosphere and authentic taste, Mie Nyemek Ibu Siti is a culinary destination that should not be missed when visiting Jogja.

So, if you are planning to explore Jogja's nightly culinary delights, make sure Mie Nyemek Ibu Siti is on your visit list. Guaranteed, the distinctive sweet and savory taste and traditional touch will make you come back for more. (*)