Explore the most famous culinary delights of Central Java with authentic, mouth-watering flavors, from gudeg to wingko babat.
Central Java is one of the regions in Indonesia that is rich in culture, tradition, and cuisine. Every corner of this province holds a wealth of appetizing culinary delights, ranging from sweet, savory, to spicy.
It is no wonder that culinary tourism in Central Java is always the main attraction for tourists, both local and foreign. Here are 10 of the most famous Central Javanese culinary delights with authentic flavors, which you must try when visiting this area.
1. Gudeg Jogja
Although identical to Yogyakarta, gudeg is also part of Central Java’s culinary specialty. Gudeg is prepared from young jackfruit boiled in a mixture of coconut milk, brown sugar, and various spices.
Its sweet and delicious taste is usually served with rice, chicken, boiled eggs, tofu, and spicy krecek chili sauce. For lovers of sweet foods, gudeg is the perfect choice to start your culinary adventure in Central Java.
2. Soto Kudus
Soto Kudus is a typical soto from Kudus City that uses chicken or buffalo as its main ingredient. This soto comes with a delicious clear broth, added with bean sprouts, chopped celery leaves, and sprinkled with fried onions to add to the deliciousness.
One of the characteristics of Soto Kudus is the use of small bowls, so the portion is smaller than soto in general. The light broth and fresh taste make Soto Kudus very popular, especially as a breakfast menu.
3. Solo Liwet Rice
This culinary comes from the city of Solo and is one of the favorite dishes of many people. Nasi liwet is rice cooked with coconut milk and served with side dishes of chayote, shredded chicken, pindang eggs, and areh (cream from coconut milk).
The savory taste of rice mixed with various side dishes makes Nasi Liwet Solo one of the culinary delights that should not be missed when visiting Solo.
4. Fried Tempeh
Tempe Mendoan is tempe that is fried until half-cooked with a thick coating of flour. This culinary is very famous in the Banyumas area, Central Java.
Its soft texture on the inside and crispy on the outside makes mendoan popular with many people. Usually, mendoan is served with soy sauce or cayenne pepper, adding a refreshing spicy sensation.
5. Semarang Spring Rolls

Lumpia Semarang is one of the culinary icons of Central Java that is already famous abroad. This food consists of spring roll skin filled with bamboo shoots, eggs, chicken or shrimp, then fried until crispy.
Lumpia is usually served with a thick sweet sauce, spring onions, and cayenne pepper. The combination of the crunchy texture and savory taste of the filling makes Lumpia Semarang a snack that is loved by many people.
6. Semarang Gimbal Tofu
Tahu Gimbal is a typical Semarang dish consisting of fried tofu, rice cake, bean sprouts, cabbage, and eggs, then doused with savory and sweet peanut sauce.
In addition, this dish is complemented with gimbal, which is a crispy shrimp fritter. The delicious taste of peanut sauce blends perfectly with the various ingredients in it, making Tahu Gimbal an appetizing dish.
7. Garang Asem
Garang Asem is a typical Central Javanese dish made from chicken cooked with tamarind and coconut milk spices, then wrapped in banana leaves and steamed.
Its sour, spicy, and fresh taste makes Garang Asem very suitable to be eaten during hot weather. This food has a unique taste, with the fragrant aroma of banana leaves that cover the chicken.
8. Klathak Satay
Sate Klathak is a culinary specialty from Bantul Regency, Yogyakarta, which uses young goat meat as the main ingredient. Uniquely, this satay is not seasoned with soy sauce or peanut sauce like satay in general, but only seasoned with salt.
This satay is skewered using iron bars, not bamboo skewers, so that the meat is evenly cooked. Sate Klathak is usually served with thick curry sauce and white rice.
9. Fried Getuk
This culinary specialty from Purwokerto is made from mashed cassava, mixed with brown sugar, then fried until crispy.
Getuk Goreng has a sweet, legit taste and a crunchy texture on the outside but soft on the inside. This dish is often made as a typical Purwokerto souvenir and is perfect as an afternoon snack.
10. Wingko Babat
Wingko Babat is a typical food made from grated coconut, mixed with glutinous rice flour and sugar, forming a savory and sweet cake.
It tastes sweet and savory with a strong coconut aroma. Wingko Babat is very popular in Semarang and its surroundings, often sold as a souvenir. This cake has a chewy but soft texture, making it very delicious to eat with a cup of warm tea.
Central Javanese cuisine offers a variety of flavors that reflect the rich culture and traditions of this province. Among the Semarang Special Food, you’ll find dishes that range from sweet, savory, to spicy, all of which have unique and unforgettable characteristics.
For culinary lovers, exploring various traditional foods in Central Java is an adventure full of surprises and satisfaction.