Extreme Culinary of Oseng Ungkrung Uler Jati

photo by Hery Fosil

“What so extreme it is” The words that come from mouth after taste oseng ungkrung uler jati (cocoon of caterpillar which have reproduction in the teak-trees). It is the kind of food that you can find in Gunungkidul, Yogyakarta in early rainy season. “Wow, its abnormal food, but it’s delicious”. This food is actually usual in Gunungkidul, because it is favorite food after grasshopper which is very popular in Gunungkidul.  Both of them are very extreme and uncommon food, but it is the fact, that people actually more brutal than animal.

“You know, it is a cocoon and I eat it”. This menu serve in a small warung LESBIAN (Lesehan BiasANe) in Gunungkidul, it is taken place at Siyono Wetan (north), near the city center.  If I have a time when I come to my hometown, I will go to this warung  and order different menu such as Oseng mercon, oseng mushroom, rica- rica enthog, etc. but the special one is oseng ungkrung uler jati  because it just can find in this place just in the early rainy season.  

“If you like spicy very much, I suggest you to order it, you can order how spicy do you want”. I always order the spicy oseng ungkrung because of the combination of the taste which make me will taste it again and again. “The taste is like shrimp, crispy but for each cocoon and soft”. It can burn your mouth, and then you will flutter your hand because it is very hot and your face will wet because of your sweat. “It is deliciously oily and salty, somewhat sweet, and it is so hot”.

 About this place, it is my favorite place because the owner of this warung is very friendly and she will prepare the ingredient and cook it by herself.  The place is clean although it is at the roadside, people visit this warung usually will quickly enjoy the ambience because in that place, they can make a friend and very friendly. “We like to make a joke, talk to each other about many things”, and we often laugh together. “I feel very special when I visit this place, because I meet people and we can eat together, we make a friend and we know each other, share about the taste from the menu that has been order and also the ambiance that make enjoy the time in my hometown”. Actually this warung has many menus and for each has special taste. When the usum ungkrung (cocoon season in early rainy season) come, this place will full of customers to order oseng ungkrung made by the owner of this warung. But be careful if you have an allergy, because it can make you itching. 

 “I hope that season will come again quickly”.