Tasty Pindang Tetel, An Authentic Pekalongan Cuisine That Looks Like Beef Stew
When you stop by Pekalongan, you can't miss the chance to taste its special cuisine. One of The most popular is Pindang Tetel. you might guess from its name, this must be fish-based cuisine. But surprisingly, it is made of beef, or to be specific, it is made of bone-in meat called daging tetelan. At a glance, Pindang Tetel looks like Rawon, typical food from Surabaya. But when you taste it, there is a different taste even though both cuisines use kluwek, pengium nuts as a mixture of spices.
Pindang tetel can be found in some places in Pekalongan. Either in the Regency or City of Pekalongan. Pindang Tetel is often served with Sand Crackers —-a hot sand fried cracker—, Pekalongans call it Usek Cracker with white or pink color.
Pindang Tetel stands for “Paling enak daging tetel” means the most delicious bone in meat. The cuisine, which comes from Ambokembang Village, Kedungwuni District, Pekalongan Regency, is originally made of daging tetel. However, for now, not only daging tetel but also meat and offal is being served.
Usually, Pindang Tetel sellers do not only sell Pindang Tetel. But there are also other menus or side dishes for Pindang Tetel besides Usek Crackers.
It is also kluban —-a salad dish of steamed vegetables mixed with seasoned and spiced grated coconut— So that the Pindang Tetel dish is healthier and fresher. Besides kluban, sellers usually also sell Bothok, a traditional Javanese dish made from shredded coconut flesh which has been squeezed from its coconut milk which is tasteful. This dish is usually another menu choice for those who don't want to eat meat. Apart from that, it is no less delicious, if you enjoy Pindang Tetel accompanied by iced banana soup to quench your thirst. Even though it contains coconut milk, the freshness of the banana soup is a perfect match to accompany the Pindang Tetel.
Mbak Isah’s Pindang Tetel is one of the favorite in Pekalongan. Mbak Isah herself has been selling Pindang Tetel for about 30 years. Along with technological advances, Pindang Tetel now can be ordered by an online food delivery service. Mbak Isah sells Rp. 15.000/portion.
”I spent more than 5 kilograms on beef. According to taste, some customers ask for more beef fat, some ask for beef bones. Especially when there is bone marrow a lot of customers ask for it. Usually, it is served with kluban so that it doesn't contain too much cholesterol”, said Mbak Isah. (nov)
