「 The Street That Never Sleeps 」
“ Yogyakarta is one of those cities that never loses its root yet still embraces change” said a driver to me having to hear about my experience living for a decade in the area.
I went back to this city again after a few months away. You know, it’s like there was some type of yearning to go back there again. And as always, because I no longer have any place to stay over there, Malioboro is where I seek shelter.
It’s a vibrant street, magical and has its own charm, amidst its own chaos. It’s one of those iconic areas and streets that basically never sleeps.
For those who had the chance to visit, the atmosphere around the street is still magical. When you’re there, it feels as if something is pulling you in, something that you could never really explain with words. There’s always a new place, a new thing to do, yet the remnants of the bygone era is still nestled among modernity the street attempts to offer.
After hours in Malioboro offers its own entertainment. You can't just stroll around in this place and go back to your accommodation. To fully experience it, you have to stroll, sit down, soak up the energy or even enter some of the cute shops around the area.
Perhaps, before I show you what you can do in Maliboro, I have to take you to eat this $0.8 chicken rice meal from the area. It is around 10 minutes walk from Malioboro and this food will definitely fill you up before doing your first After Hours walk in Malioboro.
There is a new place around the northern square selling $0.8 chicken rice. It’s located in a prime location where people all around the city are trying the local cuisine. In such a premium location, I wondered why the place wasn’t as packed as any other in the area. So, naturally, I had many questions at the time. But the two were like;
- Is it sustainable to sell that cheap chicken?
- Why aren't there many customers when the chicken is so good?
This chicken is made with braising chicken in coconut milk until it’s cooked and fully tender. It’s served with savory rice and sambal with a slice of cucumber and honestly, with this type of chicken, the price isn’t really justified. So, I was really surprised they sold it for such a price given their premium location and the taste that was just so scrumptious.
In Javanese language, the dish is called Ayam Ingkung and is often served during small celebrations in the area. So, to locals, this dish is a common meal and is one of their comfort meals other than the famous Gudeg, which are always recommended for tourists in the area.
When I first saw the sign, I was genuinely surprised by the price. I mean, it’s only $0.8 and typically prices of such meals would be around 1$ at most. It’s definitely one of the cheapest meals in the area and I wonder if there’s a bias that makes people think this was a lower quality of food.
In the past, I didn’t even know this place even existed. This place was occupied by other food stalls and was just nestled among popular food destinations in the area. So, maybe there was some type of psychological bias on the pricing.
Eitherway, I tried their rice dish alongside a warming beverage that felt like a prelude to my walk in my Malioboro. After having this meal, I went back to where I was staying and scranned around the area waiting for the actual after hours to kick in.
Malioboro after hours…
What do you think happens after 1 AM?
I got fairly curious about that because I’ve never roamed this area right after the clock strikes 1 AM. I wondered what would happen, who would go out, and if there would be something intriguing to see.
When I walked, I noticed this newly opened K3 Mart, a lifestyle market offering east asian snacks and convenience store meals. It was still bustling with half sober teenagers and some people, just playing mobile legend with their groups of friends.
What intrigued me the most was this saying on the wall, Malioboro where culture meets memories. That couldn’t be far from the truth. This is the hub where you can see and meet people from all over the world and make memories in this street but in a good way.
Malioboro isn’t a rowdy street. I mean, you certainly can find that kind of vibe in its nook and crannies, along the alleyways of this street but in general, it is a calm and peaceful place to be.
From k3 mart, I ended up getting some snacks and this Korean skewered snack to accompany me while checking out the street from their 2nd floor.
During the time I was sitting there, I heard people yelling to each other, some small fights and some girls gossiping their life away up until 2 AM.
I never really see this street through this lens. It’s always from the sane, normal hours where people are a lot more civilized and lifeless. Somehow, after 1 AM, Maliboro was alive, just in its different vibes.
Having to eat such a greasy snack, I found only one spot remains open. It’s a place called Haus, a 24/7 franchise beverage shop selling all sorts of drinks. I was surprised because inside the place, I got to see Becak, the traditional Javanese transportation and some ornaments that are ethnic and authentic from Yogyakarta.
From there, I got a drink and was checking out the place until around 3 AM. Once it hit 3 AM, I saw the street was bustling with more normal people. I didn’t hear any yelling, no cursing, no petty fights or half drunk girls and guys trying to get some munchies. It was just returning to its own cycle, a normal malioboro we all get to see.
While the street never sleeps, you can also see the stillness of the area. There are many traditional transportation still being offered in the area and they will always be there, never cease despite the advancement of technology and times. This is something that other places don't really have, a way to co-exist with tradition.
See you around everyone!