KBRN, Yogyakarta: Pasar Lawas Mataram (The Mataram Old Market) returned in 2025 as a vibrant cultural and economic celebration, held in the historic subdistrict of Kotagede, Yogyakarta, specifically in the courtyard of the Great Mosque of Mataram.

The three-day event, which ran from September 26 to 28, embraced the philosophical theme “Kebak Tanpa Luber,” meaning “filled without spilling,” encouraging the community to maximize its potential without excess, and to preserve tradition without losing its essence.

Visitors were immersed in a nostalgic atmosphere, surrounded by a wide array of authentic traditional culinary offerings such as adrem, a chewy fried delicacy made from rice flour and coconut sugar, and kicak, a sticky rice cake made with glutinous rice, grated coconut, jackfruit, and sugar, known for its fragrant aroma and soft, sweet flavor.

Cotton candy and other legendary treats, rarely found in today’s modern markets, added to the charm of the experience.

The festival also featured folk arts and cultural performances, enriching the experience while educating the public on local history and enduring values.

More than just a marketplace, the 2025 edition of Mataram Old Market served as a catalyst for the local economy, particularly benefiting micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs).

The event provided a platform for entrepreneurs to showcase their products and craftsmanship to a broader audience.

Among the vendors was Irma, a third-generation seller of sate gajih (meat fat satay), who expressed gratitude for the opportunity to participate. She reported selling between 15 and 20 kilograms of satay per day during the festival. “This sate gajih business has been passed down from my grandmother to my mother, and now to me. I sell three skewers for IDR 10,000,” she told RRI on Sunday, September 28, 2025.

Irma, a third-generation seller of sate gajih (meat fat satay), takes part in the 2025 Mataram Old Market in Kotagede, Yogyakarta, on Sunday, September 28, 2025. (Photo: RRI/Nata Dwiharso)

Irma said the event helped boost her family’s income and allowed her to continue a culinary tradition rooted in heritage.

Other traditional dishes also drew attention, including fried ice and kerak telur, a Betawi specialty.

Dika, one of the visitors, said he was intrigued by foods rarely encountered in daily life. “It's unique, isn't it? Kerak telur and fried ice. I also saw other traditional foods I don’t usually come across. This is my first time tasting sate gajih with its savory and sweet soy sauce, it’s really delicious,” Dika concluded. ***

Translator: Misni Parjiati

Editor: Lasti Martina