Semarang Food Street, part 2: the integrated Lontong Cap Go Meh

A story about the naming of Semarang, one of the largest city in Java Island Indonesia, started at the end of the 15th century. There was a man from the Kingdom of Demak who was appointed as Islam missionary. His name was Sunan Pandanaran that became an Islamic guru for the people in the hills of Pragota. Over time, the region becoming more fertile and from the sidelines appeared the tamarind tree that grew rarely (in Javanese language: Asem=tamarind, arang=rarely. Asemarang=rarely grew tamarind trees), thus giving the title or name of the region to Semarang.

Since the influence of Chinese culture, the cuisine adaptation has occurred in the region. Chinese migrants who lived in the coastal areas of Java have created the Peranakan blend culture.

An evident of this adaptation and assimilation in cooking culture could be found in this signature dish, Lontong Cap Go Meh. To celebrate Cap Go Meh or the fifteenth day of the Chinese New Year celebrations, the peranakan people replace rice flour balls that was usually served during the celebration with Lontong or rice cake. As the side dish, a white chicken curry with other spicy yet delicious cooking from Java culture were also served .

Lontong Cap Go Meh is a special phenomenon in Peranakan-Java only. Those who live in Sumatra, Malacca or Borneo do not recognize the dish. This integration of two culture could be nowadays found in several food stall at Semawis Night Market, Semarang.