Eel Cracker

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A. Overview

Eels live in water and maybe will not please some people with their snake-like look. But in Godean, Sleman, some women produce a tasty, nutritious snack out of them and actually make millions of rupiahs every month.

Synbranchus, as they are called scientifically, are a pure water kind of fish with a slick, pipeline body and fin on their back. Eels eat tiny fishes and could be found in wet rice fields, swamps, mud, and small rivers.

The eel cracker business in Godean District, Sleman, has been running since 1980. That time, Godean had not become a place known for the snack because there were only few big merchants to run the business. It began to develop into the biggest eel cracker producer after the Agricultural and Forestry Agency of Sleman Regency provided supports for the eel cracker sellers in Godean Market.

Today, with less and less rice fields in the area, it becomes quite difficult to find eels in Sleman. To make eel cracker, now people get supplies of fresh eels from outside Sleman, such as from Klaten and Boyolali Regencies.

In Godean Market, there are no less than 50 eel cracker sellers. They are affiliated in an association called Harapan Mulya.

The business has indeed been going well lately. The sellers can make profit up to Rp 40,000 per kilogram. In a month, they usually need 25-30 tons of eels, of which 90% brought from East Java and only 10% from Godean and nearby areas.

B. Features

Besides tasting deliciously piquant and crunchy, eel crackers are believed to be advantageous for the body and safe to be consumed by anyone from kids to elderly. Eel crackers will certainly make a good gift for friends, relatives, and family.

Eel crackers are made of eels coated with protein-rich flour and then fried until crisp. It tastes delicious, piquant, and crispy. Eel crackers are good for snack or side dish. This snack also lasts long.

There is a tip for you as to picking out eel crackers. You need to take a look at the size. Those made of smaller eels taste better, and are usually more expensive, than the bigger ones.

C. Location

You can find eel crackers at around Godean Market, Sleman Regency, which is 15 kilometer west of Yogyakarta City.

D. Access

Godean Market can be reached easily by public and moreover, private transportation. To take a bus, you may start from Giwangan Bus Station in Yogyakarta. But if you go by your own vehicle, you just need to go to Tugu Intersection and take the westward turn. Go straight ahead, the market is about 15 km away. It usually takes about half an hour to get to the market but in busy hours, such as in-out work and school hours, it will likely take more time.

E. Prices

Eel crackers are usually sold at Rp 25,000 to Rp 40,000 per kilogram. For non-flour eel crackers, the price can reach Rp 50,000 per kilogram.

F. Accommodations and Other Facilities

The best thing in buying an eel cracker is that you can have a taste before giving out your money. Aside from the crackers, the merchants usually also sell fried eels. You can as well get many other local foods like kelanting or slondok, paru crackers, and spinach crackers. Moreover, there are birds and ornamental plants for sale if you are interested.

Text: Andreas Eko Wahyu S.
Photo(s): Collection of Jogjatrip.com
Translation: Reza Daffi
(Primary data and various sources)

Read : 6017 time(s).

If you are from outside Yogyakarta and want to visit this place by travel agency services,
please contact:

Maharatu Tour and Travel

Jl. Sisingamangaraja No. 27 Yogyakarta.
Telp. +62 274 8373005. Fax. +62 274 379250
Email : maharatu@maharatu.com -maharatu257@yahoo.com
Website : www.maharatu.com

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