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Summer in Yogyakarta and the Magic of Spicy Chicken Gudeg: A Taste of Sweet Heat for Western Kitchens

Summer in Jogja: Where Sweet Meets Spicy in a Bowl of Gudeg

It was the height of the dry season when I stepped off the train in Yogyakarta. The air was warm and still, the sky a deep blue without a cloud in sight. Streets buzzed with life—artists sketching on sidewalks, batik shops with bold colors spilling into the alleys, and the distant hum of motorbikes weaving past becaks and tourists.

chicken gudeg


It was just past noon, and the heat had settled like a blanket. My guide, a friendly local named Dimas, suggested we eat before heading to see the famous Prambanan Temple. He led me to a small warung tucked behind the Pasar Beringharjo, where the only English on the wall was "Spicy Chicken Gudeg – Very Local Taste."

I’d heard of Gudeg before—a sweet jackfruit stew, slow-cooked in coconut milk until it melts in your mouth. But this version was different. It was served with spicy shredded chicken, thick sambal, and warm rice wrapped in banana leaves. The contrast between the caramel-like jackfruit and the spicy chicken was electric. It was sweet, fiery, comforting, and unforgettable.

Back home, I craved it—not just the taste, but the memory. So I worked on a version that Western kitchens could recreate without hunting through markets for rare ingredients. This is the result: Spicy Chicken Gudeg, simplified but soulful.

What Is Gudeg?

Gudeg is a traditional dish from Yogyakarta, Central Java, made primarily from young unripe jackfruit (nangka muda). It's slow-cooked in palm sugar, coconut milk, and fragrant spices until tender and sweet. It’s usually served with rice, sambal, boiled egg, and often spicy shredded chicken (ayam suwir pedas) to balance the sweetness.

Spicy chicken gudeg


Ingredients (Western-Friendly Version)

For the Gudeg:

  • 1 can (500g) young jackfruit in brine (drained and rinsed)
  • 400 ml (1 can) coconut milk
  • 3 tbsp brown sugar or palm sugar
  • 4 garlic cloves
  • 6 shallots (or 1 medium onion)
  • 2 bay leaves
  • 1 stalk lemongrass, smashed
  • 1 tsp ground coriander
  • ½ tsp galangal powder (or ginger)
  • Salt to taste

For the Spicy Chicken:

  • 400g (about 2 cups) cooked shredded chicken (rotisserie works too)
  • 4 red chilies (or to taste)
  • 3 garlic cloves
  • 2 shallots (or half onion)
  • 1 tsp sugar
  • Salt to taste
  • 1 tbsp oil for frying
  • Splash of lime juice (optional)

Optional Sides:

  • Steamed rice
  • Boiled eggs (marinated in soy sauce or plain)
  • Sambal or chili paste

How to Make Spicy Chicken Gudeg at Home

Step 1: Prep the Gudeg

  1. Rinse the canned jackfruit well and squeeze out the water. Tear into smaller chunks or shreds by hand.
  2. In a blender, process garlic, shallots/onion, coriander, and galangal into a spice paste.
  3. In a pot, heat a little oil and sauté the paste until fragrant (3–4 minutes).
  4. Add jackfruit, bay leaves, lemongrass, sugar, and coconut milk.
  5. Simmer uncovered on low heat for 1.5–2 hours, stirring occasionally, until the jackfruit turns dark brown and sweet.
  6. Season with salt to taste. Add water if it reduces too quickly.

Step 2: Make the Spicy Chicken

  1. Blend or finely chop the chilies, garlic, and shallots.
  2. Heat oil in a pan, sauté the chili mixture until slightly caramelized.
  3. Add the shredded chicken, stir well to coat.
  4. Season with sugar, salt, and a splash of lime juice. Cook for another 5–10 minutes until slightly dry and spicy.

Step 3: Assemble Your Gudeg Plate

  • Serve a generous spoon of sweet gudeg jackfruit with steamed rice.
  • Add a scoop of spicy chicken, half a boiled egg, and extra sambal if you dare.
  • Garnish with fried shallots or a sprig of cilantro if desired.

Tips for Western Cooks

  • Jackfruit substitution? Hard to find? Use pulled mushrooms or green banana as a creative substitute.
  • Spice level? Adjust chili count to your heat tolerance. 4 chilies is moderate for spicy food lovers.
  • Sweetness balance? Reduce sugar for a less sweet gudeg (Jogja locals love it sweet!).

Why It Matters

Gudeg isn’t just food. It’s memory, culture, and soul in a bowl. Making it in your kitchen brings a little piece of Yogyakarta into your home—its warmth, its stories, and its unique way of combining sweetness and spice in harmony.

So if you're looking for something new, bold, and comforting, Spicy Chicken Gudeg is more than a recipe—it’s a passport to flavor.

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