Legendary Indonesian Old-School Snacks

Since I was little, snacking has been my main hobby. Although my body used to be quite thin, don't ask how much I snacked; people certainly wouldn't guess. Since I was little, who lived with Aki and Nini, my paternal grandparents, were not used to buying snacks outside because he was a very good person when it came to food. However, I know some legendary old-school Indonesian snacks that are my favorites.

As a former presidential chef, Aki is good at cooking, so all kinds of healthy food are available at home. However, as children, of course, they will be easily tempted by snacks outside. Of the many childhood memories, legendary old-school Indonesian snacks have a special place in my heart.

Snacking secretly is my 'ninja way'. One of the taboo snacks is meatballs and chiki balls. Yep, meatballs, a popular snack, are a rare item in our family, as are chiki balls, the yellow chicken that used to cost 75 pesos.

The main reason is the high content of vetsin, aka MSG, contained in snacks outside the house. If you think about it, Aki is one of those people who are aware of the dangers of pecin (vetsin) at a time when there was not much information about healthy nutrition.

When I moved to live with Embah's house, my maternal grandmother, I began to feel the freedom to snack as I pleased.

What are my favorite legendary old-school Indonesian snacks?

'Cheese' Cake

This legendary cake was my favorite snack when I was little. It tasted 'wow' to kids who love snacks because its shape resembles a cheesecake, which of course used to only be enjoyed by the upper class. This 'cheese' cake is sold in a long shape that can be cut into several parts, maybe 5 parts.

Like the original cheese cake, the top of this fake 'cheese' cake is yellow as if smeared with egg yolk. Don't imagine it tastes like the original kastengel, okay? This cake is actually just flour dough that is molded to resemble kastengel.

Chestnut

You can still enjoy this super KW cheese cake at several old-school snack outlets, which are usually found in malls or traditional markets. This old-school cake is sometimes Zauji's souvenir when he accompanies Zauji's mother shopping at the market.

Know the Rebellion

Tahu berontak is bean sprouts or wheat with added rice vermicelli. In the 80s, this tahu berontak used to be widely sold in the area (now) Jl Pusdai, Bandung, precisely in the shortcut area between Jl. Diponegoro and Jl. Surapati.

Tahu berontak has a savory taste combined with a slightly sweet taste that comes from the rice vermicelli seasoning. Unfortunately, it is now rarely found anymore. It seems that next time, Zauji and I must try it around Taman Cilaki, which is a culinary center that serves various fried foods complete with cayenne pepper, sauce, or colek seasoning.

Chiclets Candy

This favorite candy has a mint flavor and resembles chewing gum, so it can't be swallowed. The packaging is luxurious for its time. The taste is refreshing, hard but chewy when chewed. For a child, Chicklets candy is a luxury candy that must be purchased at a fairly high price.

Chiclets Candy (source: Kaskus)

Switzel Candy

This candy filled with caramel and melted chocolate is the number one favorite candy and the icon of legendary old-school Indonesian snacks. I still often bought this candy until the 90s. But unfortunately, this candy has long been discontinued. Alhamdulillah, now there is a similar candy with a different brand.

Chewing Gum Sheets

I still remember that this sheet gum was sold at an expensive price for elementary school children: 50 rupiah per piece. The wrappers were colorful, and the shape was unique in the form of a thin rectangle. Not all stalls or shops sold this gum.

The only shop I found was near Cihaurgeulis Market, Bandung, which I passed every time I went to and from school. As a kid who was not allowed to chew gum, this candy was a dream that I could finally buy after entering the 3rd grade of elementary school.

Banjur Crackers

Crackers or crackers are typical Indonesian snacks that almost always have to be on our main menu. Banjur crackers usually consist of canned blek crackers or emih crackers (noodles) and spicy oncom sauce. The taste is delicious.

Now banjur crackers are identical to fast-breaking snacks that can be bought while waiting for ngabuburit for only 1000 rupiah for 1 medium-sized noodle cracker. Apart from the month of Ramadan, this legendary old-school Indonesian snack is rarely found anymore. My friend and I found these banjur crackers in a restaurant for 13,000 rupiah for one portion containing 2 white blek crackers and Oncom sauce. Well, it's quite a cure for missing Indonesia's legendary old-school snacks.