Nasi kucing

Nasi kucing ([ˈnasi ˈkutʃɪŋ]; also known as sega kucing [sə'gɔ ku'tʃeŋ][1] and often translated cat rice[2] or cat's rice) is an Indonesian rice dish that originated from Yogyakarta, Semarang, and Surakarta but has since spread. It consists of a small portion of rice with toppings, usually sambal, dried fish, and tempeh, wrapped in banana leaves.

Not to be confused with nasi kuning.

Nasi kucing
Nasi kucing with langgi and a side of chicken satay and martabak
CourseMain course
Place of originIndonesia
Region or stateYogyakarta, Central Java
Serving temperatureHot or room temperature
Main ingredientsRice in small portion with various side dishes wrapped inside banana leaf
Food energy
(per serving)
100 calories kcal

Etymology

The term nasi kucing, literally meaning "cat rice" or "cat's rice", is derived from the portion size. The portion of rice served is similar in size to what the Javanese would serve to a pet cat, hence the name.[3]

Origin

Nasi kucing originated in Yogyakarta, Semarang, and Surakarta.[4] However, it has since spread to Jakarta[1] and even as far as Mecca, sold by Indonesian workers during the hajj.[4]

Presentation

Nasi kucing consists of a small, fist-sized portion of rice along with toppings. Common toppings include sambal, dried fish, and tempeh.[3] Other ingredients can include egg, chicken, and cucumber.[4] It is served ready-made, wrapped in a banana leaf, which is further wrapped in paper.[3]

A variation of nasi kucing, sega macan (English: tiger's rice) is three times the size of a regular portion of nasi kucing. It is served with roasted rice, dried fish, and vegetables. Like nasi kucing, sega macan is served wrapped in a banana leaf and paper.[5]

Sales
A seller at an angkringan, preparing tempeh with wrapped nasi kucing visible in the foreground

Nasi kucing is often sold at a low price (sometimes as low as Rp 1000 [US$0.12] for nasi kucing[6] and Rp 4000 [US$0.48] for sega macan[5]) at small, road-side food stalls called angkringan, which are frequented by lower-class people, or wong cilik, including pedicab and taxi drivers, students, and street musicians.[7] This has led to angkringan being considered the "lowest class of eatery".[6]

The owners of the angkringan themselves often come from lower socio-economic classes, may have few or no marketable skills, or originate from remote villages.[8] In order to open their stalls, they borrow money from a patron, called a juragan; that amount can be up to Rp. 900,000.00 (US$105.00).[9] From the daily net profits of Rp. 15,000.00 – Rp. 20,000.00 (US$1.75 – 2.35),[10] the seller repays the patron until the debt is repaid and the seller is able to operate independently.[11]

See also

References
  1. Erwin & Erwin 2008, p. 6
  2. Mundayat 2005, p. 10
  3. Mundayat 2005, p. 83
  4. Hermanto; Purwadi, Trias; Jayadi, Fauzan (7 February 2007). "Nasi Kucing Juga Dikenal di Makkah" [Cat's Rice is Also Found in Mecca] (in Indonesian). Suara Merdeka. Archived from the original on 4 March 2016.
  5. "Sega Macan Bakal Saingi Nasi Kucing" [Tiger's Rice is Ready to Compete with Cat's Rice] (in Indonesian). Kompas. 11 October 2010. Archived from the original on 7 October 2011.
  6. Yudhono, Jodi (16 April 2011). "Nasi Kucing, soal Rasa Berani Bersaing" [Cat's Rice, the Taste is Ready to Compete] (in Indonesian). Kompas. Archived from the original on 19 April 2011.
  7. Mundayat 2005, p. 73
  8. Suprihatin 2002, p. 148
  9. Suprihatin 2002, p. 158
  10. Suprihatin 2002, p. 155
  11. Suprihatin 2002, p. 163

Bibliography
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