Nasi kucing ([ˈnasi ˈkutʃɪŋ]; also known as ꦱꦼꦒ​ꦏꦸꦕꦶꦁ (sěgá kucing)[1] and often translated cat rice[2] or cat's rice) is an Indonesian rice dish that originated from Central Java, primarily 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.

Nasi kucing

indonesian mixed rice with various toppings, served in small portion
Course	Main course
Place of origin	Indonesia
Region or state	Yogyakarta, Central Java
Serving temperature	Hot or room temperature
Main ingredients	Rice in small portion with various side dishes wrapped inside banana leaf
Food energy (per serving)	100 calories kcal
Media: Nasi kucing

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] other part of the country, 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

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$58.00).[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

• Nasi bogana
• Nasi campur
• Nasi goreng
• Nasi kuning
• Nasi liwet
• Nasi pecel
• Nasi uduk
• Nasi ulam

References

Bibliography

• Erwin, Lily T.; Erwin, Abang (2008). Peta 100 Tempat Makan Makanan Khas Daerah di Jakarta, Bekasi, Depok, Tangerang [Map of 100 Eateries for Unique Local Foods in Jakarta, Bekasi, Depok, Tangerang] (in Indonesian). Jakarta: Gramedia Pustaka Utama. ISBN 9789792238372.
• Mundayat, Aris Arif (2005). Ritual and Politics in New Order Indonesia: A Study of Discourse and Counter-Discourse in Indonesia (Doctorate thesis). Swinburne University of Technology. Retrieved 8 June 2011.
• Suprihatin, Sri Emy Yuli (April 2002). "Hubungan Patron Klien Pedagang "Nasi Kucing" di Kota Yogyakarta" [Client-Patron Relationships of "Nasi Kucing" Sellers in the City of Yogyakarta] (PDF). Humaniora (in Indonesian). 7 (1): 147–164. Archived from the original (PDF) on 17 March 2012. Retrieved 8 July 2011.

На других языках

[ru] Наси-кучинг