RRI.CO.ID, Banda Aceh – In Aceh, kuah beulangong (beulangong broth) is not just a dish, but part of a social ritual that unites residents around one large cauldron. The communal cooking process, especially by men, makes this dish a powerful symbol of mutual cooperation, spirituality, and Acehnese cultural identity.

Kuah beulangong is a traditional Acehnese curry made from beef or goat cooked with young jackfruit in a large pot or beulangong. This dish uses firewood, is rich in spices, and is roasted coconut, resulting in a thick sauce and a distinctive aroma.

A single cooking session can yield over 200 servings and takes approximately two hours.

This dish is almost always present at various traditional and religious events, such as kenduri blang (blang feast), the Prophet's Birthday (Maulid Nabi), weddings, and even Islamic New Year celebrations. In fact, in many villages, a celebration is considered incomplete without serving kuah beulangong as the main course.

In the regions of Banda Aceh, Aceh Besar, Pidie, and parts of West Aceh, kuah beulangong is also known as blang broth. This dish is closely linked to the tradition of welcoming the rice planting season. During the blang festival, the community first holds a thanksgiving prayer to pray for a pest-free harvest and a good harvest, before enjoying the blang broth together.

The uniqueness of kuah beulangong lies not only in its taste, but also in its cooking method. Traditionally, the cooking process is only handled by men. The soup must be stirred counterclockwise while chanting salawat (prayer chants), which is interpreted as a spiritual symbol and a hope for blessings, similar to the meaning of tawaf (circumambulation) during the Hajj pilgrimage.

This cooking tradition usually takes place in a mosque and involves many people. The value of togetherness is central, as one person cannot handle a large pot of rice.

Historically, kuah beulangong reflects a cultural encounter. The use of curry leaves is believed to have originated from the influence of Gujarati traders (India) who settled and traded in Aceh, combined with local Indonesian spices. This combination is what gives kuah beulangong its distinctive flavor, making it widely known today.

Despite adaptations over time, including changes in the ingredients, kuah beulangong remains a symbol of social solidarity and the strength of tradition in Aceh. More than just food, kuah beulangong is a living cultural heritage that continues to be preserved by its people. (Misni Parjiati/Bambang MBKA)