Red shades decorate Jalan Belimbing in Pekalongan, welcoming the Lunar New Year. The area, that is known as the Chinatown of Pekalongan, were brimming with lanterns. Festive! At the corner of Jalan Belimbing, in silence, the dragon at the ends of the red roof of Pho An Thian’s Temple dissolves in its splendor. The temple,…
The chant “Laa ilaaha illallah” wafted beautifully in certain nights in Pekalongan. This city of batik, also known as the city of Islamic students, is indeed thick with its Islamic culture. One of them is Tahlilan ritual–which, consequently, gave birth to a glass of Tahlil coffee. Tahlil means an act of remembering by continuing to…
“Please, drink the ‘steamy’ lemonade…” said the host with pride while entertaining his guests during Lebaran (Moslem’s New Year). Yes, tens of years ago, the clinking of these lemonade bottles had its own prestige. It’s a luxury drink that can not be bought by commoners. This Javanese nobles’ (priyayi) drink–almost a century old–has waded the…
Steam wafts in the air as the spicy soup got poured into a bowl. The savory aroma of this dark reddish-brown soup will greet you as you set foot in a Tauto stall in Pekalongan. Tauto is one of Pekalongan specialties. A dash of tauco—or fermented soybean, gives Tauto its unique flavor. Tauco makes a…