Enjoying Sambal Tumpang at Triwindu Market

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This morning I have visited the bustle of Gede Hardjonagoro Traditional Market. And this afternoon, I would go to visit a market again. The market was indeed the main attraction when visiting Solo City. There was a side of uniqueness in each market which was located in several corners of the city …

I was aghast and jumped from one of Amaris Hotel Sriwedari’s twin beds when Rahadian woke me up from a sleep which I never intended to. Soundly asleep for an hour, making my eyes so bright, free from the tangles which hit me during a location survey in Batik City.

It was half past five in the afternoon, Rahadian and I hurried down the lift and got into an online taxi which had been waiting for us from five minutes ago outside the lobby. Even though the location where I wanted to go to was not far from hotel, around one kilometer, I would never take the risk of failing to visit this destination.

Exit the hotel, drove along Honggowongso Street, continued to Mohammad Yamin Street and then turned a corner on Gatoto Subroto Street. Continuing to cut the city protocol road, the online taxi then stopped on one side of Diponegoro Street….I arrived.

Now I have stepped on Triwindu Market courtyard and I was diligently staring at market’s architecture from next to Loro Blonyo Statue, whose its right arm broke. There were “wayang^*1” ornament adorning the market roof. I could read very clearly “Welcome to Triwindu Market, Center for Antiquities and Klitikan Sales”.

Even before entering it, I could see a armor suit of Surakarta Sunanate soldier which was displayed in one of stalls. Small statues neatly lined up on the floor. So I couldn’t wait to enter it soon.

I decided to start exploring market inside until I found a large collection of “wayang” masks, wide plates made from China typical ceramics, antique chandeliers, and even a cupboard which made from old teak as a display case to show every item being traded. Made the atmosphere in the market felt magical.

I bought some mini figurine collections as an order from a colleague who was also a fan of unique items. Then, I just enjoyed the art-filled objects along market corridors. No wonder if foreign collectors hunted a lot of antiques here.

I turned around before I finally found a small crowd around market door. Four middle-aged women were seen opening a food stall and putting up banner which reading “Jenang Suro”. Suro was a substitute for the name of Muharram Month in Solo City. So I could be sure, this activity had something to do with the Islamic New Year. I tried to get closer and one of them waved to me with a smile.

“Come here, Sir!“, She said.

“Wow, what is it, Mom?. Very busy “.

“This was Jenang Suro, Sir. It’s just. To commemorate the First Suro”, She explained. My hunch was true, commemorated First Muharram.

“Come on, Sir, eat it, this is made by all seller women here, you know. Definitely delicious“.

That afternoon I enjoyed hot porridge, sprinkled with “sambal tumpang^*2” combined with soft black-eyed pea, kikil^*3, omelette slices and tofu in a splash of delicious spices. In fact, I spent two plates so deliciously.

All the impressions I got, finally made me decide that Triwindu Market was worthy of being one of Marketing Conference destination later.

Note:

*1. Wayang is a traditional form of puppet theatre play originally found in the cultures of Java, Indonesia.

*2. Sambal Tumpang is spices which come from Central Java and East Java.

*3. Kikil is a popular street food in East Java especially Surabaya and surrounding areas.

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