10 Legendary Betawi Eid Dishes with Delicious Flavors and Rich Stories

Eid in Betawi is not just a time for visiting relatives, but also a culinary celebration rich in tradition and distinctive flavors. Every home in Betawi serves dishes that not only tantalize the taste buds but also carry cultural significance passed down through generations.

From refreshing tape setup, flavorful sayur asem, to the very famous dodol Betawi, each of these dishes has its own story and value in Betawi tradition. Besides indulging the palate, these foods also symbolize gratitude and togetherness on the day of victory.

Here is a list of must-try Betawi dishes during Eid, compiled from various sources by Kapanlagi.com, Monday (31/3).

1. Tape Setup, Sweet Refreshing Drink

Tape setup is a traditional Betawi drink made from fermented cassava tape, served with a sweet broth flavored with sugar, cinnamon, and cloves.

Its sweet and slightly sour taste makes tape setup a very suitable drink to refresh the throat after enjoying heavy dishes like opor or rendang. Usually, this drink is served cold with ice cubes, making it a favorite choice during Eid.

In addition to being refreshing, tape setup is also known to have benefits for digestion, making it perfect as a dessert after a big meal on Eid al-Fitr.

2. Jali Porridge Betawi, Warm and Filling

Jali porridge is a traditional Betawi dish made from jali seeds cooked with coconut milk and palm sugar, resulting in a soft porridge with a distinctive sweet taste.

This dish is usually served warm in the morning before families visit each other, providing enough energy to carry out Eid activities. In addition to its delicious taste, jali porridge is also high in fiber, which is good for digestion.

Jali porridge itself has a long history in Betawi, becoming one of the staple foods before rice was easily found.

3. Goyang Flower Cake, Crispy and Traditional Snack

Goyang flower cake is a typical Betawi snack that has a shape resembling a flower. This cake is made from a mixture of rice flour, coconut milk, and sugar, then fried until crispy.

The name "goyang" is taken from the way this cake is made, where the batter is shaped using a special mold and shaken in hot oil until it comes off. Its sweet taste and crispy texture make this cake a dish that is always present on the guest table during Eid.

Goyang flower cake is not just a snack, but also a symbol of blessing and happiness. Its shape resembling a blooming flower represents the prosperity that comes on Eid day.

4. One Cake, A Dry Cake Full of Meaning

One cake is a traditional Betawi cake made from green bean flour and sugar, with a crumbly texture and a soft sweet taste. In Betawi culture, this cake symbolizes simplicity and sincerity, because even though it is made from simple ingredients, one cake has a very appetizing flavor.

The making of one cake is also quite unique, where the batter is baked in a wooden mold until it hardens and releases a distinctive aroma that tempts the appetite.

5. Kolang-Kaling Candy, a Refreshing Snack Loved by Children

Kolang-kaling candy, or more commonly known as bruluk in Betawi, is one of the favorite dishes during Eid that children adore. Kolang-kaling soaked in red sugar syrup or colorful syrup has a chewy texture that is refreshing, especially when served cold.

Kolang-kaling candy is not only a snack but is often used as an ingredient in fruit ice or mixed ice, adding freshness in the hot atmosphere of Eid.

6. Betawi Dodol, a Traditional Cake Full of Philosophy

Betawi dodol is a must-have snack that is always present in every home during Eid. Made from glutinous rice, brown sugar, and coconut milk cooked for hours until thick and sticky, Betawi dodol has a chewy texture and a distinctive sweet taste.

The process of making it requires the cooperation of many people, symbolizing the spirit of togetherness and mutual assistance, values that are highly cherished in Betawi society.

Betawi dodol remains a favorite, even with the emergence of many modern snacks. Its chewy texture and distinctive taste make it irreplaceable.

7. Betawi Sour Vegetable, A Refreshing Dish on the Second Day of Eid

In Betawi, the tradition differs from other regions that usually serve ketupat sayur on the first day of Eid. The Betawi people actually serve sour vegetable on the second day of Eid.

Betawi sour vegetable is made from ingredients such as melinjo, long beans, Siam pumpkin, and corn, with a fresh sour broth from tamarind. This dish is often served with side dishes like salted fish, tempeh, and shrimp paste sambal.

Sour vegetable provides a refreshing sensation after a day of enjoying coconut milk dishes, helping to neutralize the feeling of fullness and increase appetite.

8. Coconut Root Cake, Crispy Snack That Lasts Long

Coconut root cake has a unique shape, resembling the roots of a coconut tree. This cake is made from a mixture of glutinous rice flour, eggs, margarine, and sugar, fried until crispy and golden brown.

Its sweet and savory taste makes it a favorite snack when gathering with family during the festive season. Due to its long shelf life, coconut root cake is often prepared in large quantities and stored to be enjoyed after Eid.

9. Vegetable Sambel Godok, A Special Betawi Dish that is Savory

Vegetable sambel godok is a special Betawi dish that consists of young jackfruit, long beans, and chayote, cooked in coconut milk with special spices. This dish is often served with ketupat or lontong, becoming a main dish that is always present in Betawi households during Eid. Its savory and slightly spicy taste pairs well with complementary side dishes like rendang or semur.

10. Tape Uli, A Legendary Combination of Sweet and Savory

Tape uli is a unique combination of sweet sticky rice tape and savory uli. The sticky rice tape is made through the fermentation of black sticky rice, while uli is made from white sticky rice that is pounded, compacted, and grilled until the surface is crispy.

Tape uli is not just a snack, but it also has a deep philosophical meaning, symbolizing unity and togetherness because its preparation process involves cooperation.

11. FAQ

1. What are the traditional Betawi foods that must be present during Eid?

Some traditional Betawi foods during Eid include tape uli, dodol Betawi, sayur asem, kue kembang goyang, and manisan kolang-kaling.

2. Why is dodol Betawi always present during Eid?

Dodol Betawi symbolizes mutual cooperation and togetherness, due to its lengthy preparation process that is done collectively.

3. What is unique about tape uli as a traditional Betawi Eid food?

Tape uli has a combination of sweet flavors from the fermented sticky rice and savory from the uli, creating a delicious and distinctive blend.

4. What is the difference between sayur sambel godok and sayur asem Betawi?

Sayur sambel godok uses coconut milk and special spices, while sayur asem Betawi has a clear broth with a fresh sour taste.

5. Why is kue kembang goyang called that?

The name kembang goyang comes from the cooking method, which involves shaking the mold in hot oil to release the batter.

(kpl/rmt)