RRI.CO.ID, Samarinda - The Shiratal Mustaqiem Mosque, the oldest mosque in Samarinda City, East Kalimantan Province makes an effort to keep peca porridge, a traditional local dish, available for its congregation to break their fast.

"Peca porridge is a specialty of Samarinda Mosque Village, passed down from our ancestors," said Mardiyana, also known as Alus, the porridge chef, in Samarinda on Friday, February 20, 2026, as quoted by Antara.

The porridge is made with a mixture of rice, coconut milk, free-range chicken stock, and secret spices, according to Alus, who has religiously kept the cooking custom for 22 years.

This combination of quality ingredients produces a very soft texture, making it easy on the digestion after a day of fasting. "Many congregants say this porridge is very good for their health," he added.

The dish helps people with stomach ulcers. It undoubtedly takes incredible commitment and patience to regularly serve this renowned culinary masterpiece at this centuries-old mosque on Jalan Pangeran Bendahara.

Every day, the team of cooks must begin preparing the ingredients at eight in the morning, consistently stirring the mixture for five hours straight. "The lengthy and laborious cooking method is intentionally maintained to ensure the porridge's texture is perfect and the spices are well-infused," he said.

Around 25 kilograms of rice are eaten in a single day to satisfy the desire of the neighborhood, which looks forward to this authentic cuisine with great anticipation. The remaining 15 kilograms are distributed to residents to take home, while 10 kilograms of the total are served directly to the congregation in the mosque courtyard.

The mosque committee also makes certain that the congregation is never bored by switching the side dishes every day, ranging from steak chicken, shredded chicken, and red spiced eggs.

Hundreds of portions of this porridge are constantly grabbed up by ardent worshippers who bring their own food containers from home as the time for the call to prayer for Maghrib (evening prayer) draws nearer. ***