RRI.CO.ID, Surakarta: Pasar Gede (Gede Market) in Solo, Central Java is always a top destination for tourists spending their holidays in the city. The diversity of legendary culinary delights and the market's iconic atmosphere are hard for travelers to resist.

Salsa Bella, a tourist from Ponorogo, East Java, admitted that she came to Pasar Gede specifically to hunt for dawet selasih, a traditional Javanese cold dessert made from coconut milk and palm sugar. For Bella, tasting the dish at its source provides a more authentic experience.

"It tastes delicious and very different from the ones in East Java. Here, the dawet is savorier, while there it's predominantly sweet," she said on Saturday, January 17, 2026.

Niken Widariani Tias, a tourist from Kediri, East Java, echoed this sentiment, expressing her interest in visiting Solo after seeing a trend on TikTok. Niken, a first-time visitor, was impressed by the variety of legendary foods available at the market.

She tried sosis (sausage) Solo and dawet selasih, the latter of which had a unique filling complemented by porridge and sticky rice. The combination of sweet and savory flavors in this Solo specialty is considered very suitable for the East Javanese palate.

"The city of Solo is beautiful, neat, and aesthetically pleasing. There are also lots of transportation options, making it easy to reach everything," said Niken.

Besides the city's beauty and culinary delights, tourists also stay for the relatively affordable prices. This makes Pasar Gede a favorite, budget-friendly destination for travelers looking to spend their holidays. (Misni Parjiati/Bambang MBKA)