When people think of Yogyakarta, they usually imagine famous places like Malioboro or Parangtritis. But for me, it was Gejayan that holds a special place in my heart. Gejayan was my home for four and a half years during my study in Yogyakarta. Unlike other places in Yogyakarta that were known for their travel destinations, Gejayan was known for its business districts, and kost-kostan. Tourists don't go to Gejayan, but it has many things to offer and explore.
Populated mostly by college students, there are plenty of places to eat in Gejayan. From a simple warung to a high-end restaurant, Gejayan can be your go-to culinary destination. Gejayan culinary districts never sleeps, from dusk till dawn, you can always find something to eat in Gejayan.
There are not many authentic Chinese restaurants in Yogyakarta, but there are plenty of restaurants that serve Tio Ciu dishes, mainly hotplates. Originally, Tio Ciu is a subgroup of chinese ethnicity. But Tio Ciu dishes in Yogyakarta are mainly a fusion of Chinese and Javanese flavors. Even though there are plenty to choose from, my friends and I find comfort in Tio Ciu Bang Sinyo's hotplate. In the evening after class or at night, one of us will eventually say, "Tio Ciu, yuk!" So we went to Tio Ciu and ordered a portion of chicken hotplate. Most Tio Ciu restaurants in Yogyakarta sell hotplates; from chicken hotplates, seafood hotplates, or beef hotplates.
The next culinary destination goes to the legendary Gudeg Bromo. Gudeg Bromo Bu Tekluk is one of the most famous Gudeg in Jogja. Unlike Gudeg Yu Djum or Gudeg Permata, this is a popular choice among locals and college students who are looking for late-night delicacies. Gudeg Bromo opens from eleven o'clock at night to five o'clock in the morning, but the waiting line usually starts one hour before it opens. Gudeg Bromo is not situated in a restaurant, instead it opens its stall in front of a closed shop in the streets of Gejayan where we eat on the sidewalk. What I like the most from Gudeg Bromo, their flavors are not too sweet compared to other Gudeg I've tried. When college students in other cities hang out at a coffee shop or a bar, Yogyakarta college students hang out at Gudeg Bromo from midnight till the morning comes.
Apart from it's culinary selections, Gejayan was also known for one more thing. In 1998, a tragedy happened on the streets of Gejayan where a college student named Moses Gatot Kaca was shot by the police during the 1998 demonstration. In 2019, Gejayan once again became a historical witness when the 'Gejayan Memanggil' movement took place. Along with thousands of other college students, as well as journalists, workers, and the locals, we marched together to Gejayan to voice our concerns. The most memorable part during this movement was when some of the merchants who closed their shops, gave us fruits and water for free during the demonstrations, showing us solidarity as well as Jogja's hospitality.
There's no other place like Gejayan. One day, I will go to Yogyakarta once again and explore the streets of Gejayan just to relive the special moments it has given me.
(ANL/HAL)