Mie Kopyok, a Traditional Noodle Dish from Semarang

RRI.CO.ID, Jakarta - If you are visiting Semarang, Central Java, there is one traditional dish worth trying: Mie Kopyok. This simple noodle dish has been popular since around the 1970s and remains one of the local specialties that can be found in the city.

The name Mie Kopyok comes from the Javanese word “kopyok,” meaning to stir. The name refers to how the dish is prepared, with the noodles briefly dipped in hot water and then stirred before being served.

A serving of Mie Kopyok usually consists of noodles, pieces of lontong or rice cake, bean sprouts, and sliced tofu. These ingredients are then topped with a garlic-based sauce and drizzled with sweet soy sauce, followed by chopped celery, fried shallots, and crispy karak, also known as gendar crackers, which are made from rice.

One of the things that gives Mie Kopyok its distinctive flavor is its garlic-based sauce. The strong aroma of garlic blends with the savory flavors of the other ingredients, while the gendar crackers add a crunchy texture to the soft noodles and rice cakes.

Mie Kopyok is also known by several other names, including Mie Lontong, referring to the pieces of lontong used in the dish. It is sometimes also called Mie Teng-Teng, a name associated with the practice of street vendors tapping plates to make a “teng-teng” sound to attract customers.

For those who enjoy spicy food, sambal can be added according to taste. The combination of noodles, lontong, tofu, bean sprouts, garlic sauce, and crispy rice crackers creates a variety of flavors and textures in a single serving.

Alongside lumpia and tahu gimbal, Mie Kopyok can be another option for visitors looking to explore Semarang’s local cuisine. With its simple ingredients and distinctive flavors, this traditional dish remains a food worth trying when visiting the city.