KOMPAS.com – Speaking of the Cap Go Meh celebration in Indonesia, the most popular dish is Lontong Cap Go Meh.
Presentation of Lontong Cap Go Meh is similar to the ketupat opor presented during Eid or Eid al -Fitr.
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However, there is a separate story behind the birth of Lontong Cap Go Meh which is enjoyed until now by the Peranakan community in Indonesia.
According to Chinese Peranakan Batik researcher, Notty J. Mahdi, Lontong Cap Go Meh began to emerge before the second world war in 1939.
It is said that the emergence of Lontong Cap Go Meh began with the acculturation of Chinese, Arabic, Indian cultures in Indonesia.
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At that time, Chinese people made soto cooked using pig broth. However, his neighbor who is a Muslim, is interested in tasting the soto.
The owner of Soto then replaces the use of pork bones with chickens so that the neighbor can feel the pleasure of the soto.
“”Tomorrow I look for (meat) chicken or beef, I will make soto ‘,“Said Notty when imitating the conversation of the Chinese and Muslim people, when met Kompas.com After the Cap Go Meh 2025 festival at FIB UI, Depok, Wednesday (12/2/2025).
Notty J. Mahdi, Chinese Peranakan Batik Researcher, when met by Kompas.com after the Cap Go Meh 2025 festival at FIB UI, Wednesday (12/2/2025).The story continued when the Arabs came and brought Lodeh Yaang porridge when it was popular in Semarang.
When meeting with his acquaintance from India, the Chinese friend also said the same thing.
Arabs and Indians want to be invited to a diet that is held by the Chinese.
However, at that time the Chinese reasoned that the food they consumed was not halal so that it could not be enjoyed by Arabs and Chinese.
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