This breakfast dish is the one I can not resist due to the temptation of comfort food, yet delish at the same time. It is somewhat kind of food that is timeless; it has been adhered to since I was a kid until now, and still exists.
It's called Nasi Pecel. This breakfast is identical to the couple of selected veggies (spinach or cassava leaves, bean sprouts, long bean, and turi flowers) that are soaked with the signature peanut sauce, which remains as "Bumbu Pecel". So Nasi Pecel is a kind of traditional cuisine that comes from the island of East Java, which is very popular in Malang, Nganjuk, and Kediri.
Malang, my hometown, has a kind of Nasi Pecel called "Nasi Pecel Pincuk". The "Pincuk" itself is kind of the switch of the plate as the served way of Nasi Pecel. So, in my hometown, the Nasi Pecel is usually served with Banana leaves that have been decorated or shaped like an upside-down pyramid, to make it easier for many people can eat and hold the dishes together.
I am in love with these dishes because of my family culture, which, as usual, found out Nasi Pecel for breakfast every time they went to their hometown, that if you are a first-time taste this Nasi Pecel, you will never be disappointed to try again and again. As my first time ate this dishes, I agree with how my family also loves this dish.
The fresh serve of veggies with warm rice and many of the soaked "bumbu pecel" or very iconic peanut sauce is really tempting, every bite of its dish is very tasty, and follow us to take another spoonful. I think Nasi Pecel is a complete dish; however, it is also served with the "Peyek" Cracker and Fried Tempe as a whole breakfast dish.
The only reason Nasi Pecel has been in this topic, that about one week ago, my family and I, my father, mother, and one of my sisters are traveled to Malang city, our hometown, to nostalgia and feel the ambience of that beautiful city. I craved the Nasi Pecel as breakfast twice at different places. Both kedais are the most popular Nasi Pecel sellers in Malang city.
Kedai Nasi Pecel Kawi
This kedai Nasi Pecel is the headmost in Malang city and has been open since 1975, that it might be operated by the third generation right now. Also, this kedai location, called Kawi Address, is the most visited place in Malang.
Kawi is famous and glorified as the oldest 'ruko' or shophouse in Malang. Before I moved to another city, this ruko was not too developed. Until now, many ancient stores have been switched up with new coffee shop concepts. However, kedai Kawi Malang is the most older store which is still open and renowned.
Pecel kawi is the most delicious breakfast for many tourists who like to visit Kawi in the morning. To be honest, as far as I don't eaten this Malang culinary heritage for about 10 years. The last time I have got to tasted it again, the flavour is a little bit change from the old version. The peanut sauce, as the hero of the nasi pecel, is changed into a different version. More like Nganjuk style pecel than Malang style pecel, which can be seen from the colour of the peanut sauce. The original peanut sauce pecel from Malang has a dark brown colour and has an intense flavour of kavir lime leaves. Then, the Nganjuk style is spicier and has a light orange-brown colour.
Because I am a fanatic of Malang-style nasi pecel, I was a little bit disappointed with the change of the peanut sauce. However, kedai Kawi Malang is a hustle kedai as everytime and the visitors are crowded as always. The store attendance, which is managed by the Chinese clans, is also friendly and still has the Chinese-Malang feature style seller.
Kedai Kawi Malang also serves many kinds of side dishes for the friends of blank nasi pecel. The most famous side dish is called 'mendol'. Is most famous and authentic side dish comes from Malang. Mendol is made by the tempe (fermentation of soybean), which is cooked by the two processes first, the tempe is steamed and then smashed with many aromatic blended spices, last is shaped into an oval and deep fried until it is golden brown.
Nasi Pecel Kawi offers many eating experiences for the customer and the visitor. You should try to see if you were travelling to Malang city.
Nasi Pecel Winongo
Pecel Winongo is a different style of pecel shop then the Kedai Nasi Pecel Kawi. It is a kind of food stall which is located on the narrow side of the most cozy street in Malang. When Malang people talked about Nasi Pecel Winongo, they might remember the comfort of Nasi Pecel Pincuk that was served with constructed banana leaves in 'pincuk' shape. As you also remember that having breakfast in Nasi Pecel Winongo is related to healing therapy, because the location for eating is under the oldest tree.
You can eat there at the traditional wooden bench and plastic chair, and far away from the busy street. What I liked most about Nasi Pecel Winongo is the taste of the peanut sauce, which is very characteristic of this brand. If you have a blank taste of the whole Nasi Pecel in Malang, the first thing you can guess Nasi Pecel Winongo peanut sauce taste is really homey and predictable.
I recommended the non-spicy Nasi Pecel for the most authentic taste of Nasi Pecel Winongo. Many people who visited this place had said that the spicy one is the hottest and destroys the original taste.
One thing you can do when eating Nasi Pecel Winongo is you can add more to the portion, as it doubles the purchase, if you about not satisfied to eat just one portion. Because Nasi Pecel Winongo is like a foodies stall with traditional food display, and is located at the edge of the street, if you were there at the rapid breakfast time and almost hustling with customers, you may have to eat it inside your car, or you might eat with pleasure to sit down on the street.
There are many good impressions about Nasi Pecel Winongo, not just about the taste but also the culinary ambiance. Yet it made new experiences for me to know Malang's pecel culinary as I also want to share it with all of you.
Cheers to all my readers, and don't forget to have your breakfast.