This evening, the weather appeared cloudy, which had become a common occurrence for the past few days without any signs of rain. Some of the plants I had cultivated started to turn yellow due to the unpredictable weather.
On Monday, June 19, 2023, as the sun began to set, I plucked a ripe papaya fruit from its tree.
Unfortunately, due to my carelessness, the papaya fruit accidentally fell on my head. I felt a bit dizzy, and over the past few days, I had indeed been lacking focus.
A short message came in on my phone. It turned out to be an old friend who also resides in Yogyakarta, but we hadn't seen each other in a long time.
They invited me to meet them at a café. I agreed, considering it an opportunity to relieve some stress.
Initially, we met at a café on Kaliurang Street, but I felt uncomfortable due to the excessive noise. Eventually, we decided to relocate to Angkringan Enaknan on Kaliurang Street, specifically at Km. 5.8, Gang Pandega Satya No. 10, Manggung, Caturtunggal, Depok Subdistrict, and Sleman Regency.
Angkringan (derived from the Javanese word "angkring," which means a curved carrying tool and mobile food stall) is a pushcart used to sell a variety of food and drinks along the roadside in Central Java, the Special Region of Yogyakarta, and East Java.
In Solo and Klaten, angkringan is known as "warung HIK" (special village dishes) or "wedangan."
Despite its angkringan setup, Angkringan Enaknan also provides books for customers to read and enjoy while relaxing.
The ambiance is undoubtedly different from regular cafes, but that's precisely what will make your visit memorable.
This concept is actually not new in Yogyakarta.
The nickname "Yogyakarta, the City of Students," also reflects the educational and creative nature of its community, including the culinary entrepreneurs.
Students and scholars represent the most potential market to tap into.
Due to this, the prices offered by Angkringan Enaknan are relatively affordable.
With prices ranging from 10,000 to 40,000 Indonesian Rupiah, you can already indulge in a variety of dishes, including various fried snacks and diverse beverages, including traditional herbal drinks (jamu), ingkung (a traditional Javanese chicken dish), tongseng (a spicy mutton stew), fried rice, and the customer favorite, black pepper fried noodles (mie goreng lada hitam).
One of the advantages of the food served here is that it is prepared without the use of monosodium glutamate (MSG), a common flavor enhancer.
This is beneficial for individuals who prefer to consume meals without added artificial additives.
By avoiding MSG, Angkringan Enaknan prioritizes providing a healthier and more natural dining experience for its customers.
I personally enjoy their milk coffee as well.
The blend is perfectly balanced, neither overly sweet nor bitter.
It sounds like they have mastered the art of preparing a delightful cup of coffee with just the right touch.
Indeed, despite its modest capacity of 50–60 people, this particular angkringan is quite suitable for hosting various activities, such as discussions and other student events.
Typically, students spend their time here working on assignments or studying for their courses. In addition to providing Wi-Fi facilities, the atmosphere is also conducive to reading books.
In several corners, you'll find bookshelves with books available for free reading.
I took the opportunity to read some books from the shelf until Feya arrived.
Here, we engaged in an intense conversation. Feya, Dwana, and I have been friends for quite some time, so we already know a lot about each other.
Fey, as I greeted her, had a keen interest in the Japanese language, which was evident from her way of dressing. But she particularly enjoyed being compared to Brisia Jodie.
Jodie gained recognition as one of the top seven finalists in the ninth season of Indonesian Idol, which took place at the end of 2017. Coincidentally, she was also studying at Yogyakarta's Universitas Pembangunan Nasional Veteran, majoring in International Relations.
On the other hand, Dwana, often called Wawa, had a strong interest in the German language. I, myself, am currently delving deeper into French.
Initially, our meeting was sparked by our shared passion for languages.
As for Rezza, I just met him today, so I didn't dare to ask too many questions, fearing that he might feel offended.
The clock struck 23:00, signaling that our gathering had to come to an end, considering that Angkringan Enaknan, despite being open daily, operates from 11:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m.
As the place is tucked away in a narrow alley, it is not recommended to bring a four-wheeled vehicle unless using an online taxi service.
After exchanging words of encouragement and supporting each other, we bid farewell, but not before capturing a few photos to commemorate the occasion on social media [mhg].