Central Lombok –
Inaq Esun puyung racing rice is a typical food originating from Puyung Village, Central Lombok District, West Nusa Tenggara (NTB). Inaq Esun is the historical person behind the existence of Nasi Balap.
A photo of an old woman wearing black batik and a white cloth wrapped around her head is displayed in a number of Nasi Racing Puyung food stalls. The name Inaq Esun is already familiar to people, especially those who have visited Lombok Island.
Inaq Esun’s rice racing puyung consists of white rice, pelecing chicken, crispy chicken and dried soybeans. This rice is different from other racing rice in that each portion is served with crunchy potatoes and long beans.
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According to the story of Inaq Esun’s grandson, Muhamad Zohri, the origin of the name Nasi Balap Puyung was around 1970. At that time, Inaq Esun was selling rice at Kebun Roek Market, Mataram City, using a barter system. Buyers don’t need to pay with money, but they can also eat enough by paying with daily necessities.
Meanwhile, the name Nasi Racing is taken from the habit of one of Inaq Esun’s grandchildren who often carries out illegal racing on the highway. His grandson often wins races, his grandson always treats his friends at the Inaq Esun stall.
“Well, this is where Inaq Esun’s puyung racing rice came from, it was born from there and is now widely known,” said Zohri to detikBaliSunday (21/7/2024).
Inaq Esun Racing Rice Recipe
 Appearance of a portion of Puyung Inaq Esun Racing Rice. (Edi Suryansyah/detikBali) |
Zaki explained how to make this typical Lombok food which is quite easy. It only requires a few basic spices, such as chilies, shallots, garlic, shrimp paste, seasonings and salt.
Zaki said there were no complicated spices in making this food. It’s just that Inaq Esun puyung racing rice does have a special dosage which is used to differentiate it from the others.
“There’s not too much spice. There’s nothing else, just a special dose,” he explained.
The method of making it is also very easy, first the chicken must be half-baked first. After that, just chop it, then add spices and put it in a container to fry with the spices for 20 minutes.
“That’s for the crispy chicken. We cook it using firewood. For the crispy chicken, we shred it first, then fry it. It’s not too complicated,” said Zaki.
Puyung Inaq Esun Racing Rice Branch
 The atmosphere of the Puyung Inaq Esun Nasi Racing race in front of the Puyung Village Field, Jonggat District, Central Lombok. (Edi Suryansyah/detikBali) |
Zohri said that Inaq Esun’s business was continued by his children. Almost all of his children have the same business by opening stalls in different places.
The main stall was continued by the second child, Inaq Esun, who currently has two branches. Namely the branch next to the Lombok International Airport Gas Station (BIL) and in front of Puyung Field.
“There are two main stalls, one in front of the airport and one here (in front of the Puyung Village Square),” said Zohri.
Meanwhile, the other Inaq Esun stall belongs to other children. Even though they sell the same product, their financial management is different.
“The name is the same, but the kitchen is different. Now only three of Inaq Esun’s children are still alive. And they are the ones who continue this business,” he explained.
The difference between Rice Racing Puyung Inaq Esun and Rice Racing Puyung Bisa
 The atmosphere of the Nasi Balap Puyung Inaq Esun stall which is located in front of the Puyung Village Square, Jonggat District, Central Lombok. (Edi Suryansyah/detikBali) |
Inaq Esun’s puyung racing rice is acknowledged to have a different taste from puyung racing rice in general. The distinctive spicy taste is quite pronounced on the connoisseur’s tongue. For the menu, the owner only provides two models, namely extra spicy and standard.
According to Zaki, the Inaq Esun puyung racing rice stall only serves ordinary Racing Rice. They deliberately did not add long beans and crunchy potatoes to maintain the characteristics and taste.
“For us, we only have white rice, pelecing chicken, crispy chicken and soybeans. We don’t use vegetables like other stalls,” he said.
Zaki admitted that he often received input from buyers to add other variants. However, he always answered that Inaq Esun puyung racing rice is a heritage that must be maintained, as well as the taste and filling.
“Our aim is just to continue. There are no other additions, so that it is different from the others,” he said.
Price of Puyung Inaq Esun Racing Rice
 Nasi Balap Puyung Inaq Esun stall which is located in front of the Puyung Village Square, Jonggat District, Central Lombok. (Edi Suryansyah/detikBali) |
Inaq Esun’s grandson from the fifth child revealed that the price per portion of Inaq Esun puyung racing rice is quite affordable. Serving white rice, shredded chicken, crispy chicken and fried soybeans, priced at just IDR 23-25 thousand.
“Per serving is only IDR 23 thousand. The only difference is that if they order spicy and extra spicy it only adds IDR 2 thousand because there are additional side dishes,” he said.
Likewise with the food, Zaki also provides a number of variants of drinking water. Such as iced tea, orange ice and water at a price of IDR 5-10 thousand.
“Even if you want to add more, there are only crackers. That’s the only thing on the menu, there are no other additions,” he explained.
(nor/nor)
