Brilio.net - Muntilan, a sub-district in Magelang Regency, Central Java, has become a trade center. This sub-district is also filled with various shops and stalls with their own characteristics. Muntilan also offers a variety of culinary tours or food stalls that would be a shame if you missed them.
Of the many food stalls, Mrs. Haryoko's empal soup is considered special, you know. This food stall is quite successful in attracting the attention of many tourists.
Located on Jalan Veteran No.9, Sayangan, Muntilan, Bu Haryoko's empal soup stall is considered legendary. Not without reason, this shop which has green painted walls has been standing since 1940.
photo: brilio.net/nadhifah
In the past, Bu Haryoko's empal soup stall was located in front of the Hok An Kiong Temple, Muntilan. However, in the second generation, this stall moved to the west side of the Temple and continues to survive until now until the third generation. Even though she has been selling for 84 years, Mrs. Haryoko's empal taste remains consistent because she uses a recipe passed down from generation to generation.
The menu sold at this stall is still the same as when it first opened, namely empal soup. One bowl of empal soup contains vermicelli, cabbage, chili sauce, pieces of meat, broth and fried onions. There is also an additional menu of various beef preparations such as kikil and lung as complements.
photo: brilio.net/nadhifah
On Sunday (10/3), the brilio.net team deliberately visited and tasted Mrs. Haryoko's empal soup. From the outside, the parking lot in front of this tiny shop is filled with cars and motorbikes lined up. Sure enough, when he entered, almost all the seats were filled with visitors.
A native Banjarnegara visitor named Dinar also explained his experience when he first tasted Bu Haryoko's empal soup. According to him, this menu tastes delicious, the meat has a soft texture. You don't even need extra energy to cut the meat when eating it.
"Because it's delicious, I will go there again when I go to Magelang," he explained.
The atmosphere in the shop is fairly simple. There are several fans installed on the ceiling, while the entire wall appears to be filled with calendars from various shops in Magelang. The interior calendar on the shop wall is what makes the atmosphere feel even more homey.
Instead of putting up photos of celebrities who have come in person, Pujiningsih has stuck dozens to dozens of calendars from various types of shops on the walls of his shop. According to him, this method is a form of charity because it can help promote these shops to introduce them to visitors.
photo: brilio.net/nadhifah
Even though it is not large, this stall is still busy with visitors. Even Pujaningsih Riyati, as the current shop owner, relies on 3 employees to help her with her daily sales. This woman, who is now around 60 years old, explained that every day she manages to consume as much as 60-70 kg of beef.
"I don't really count the turnover, but every day that much meat runs out. "The problem is that many people buy just a few kilos of empal meat," said Pujaningsih.
photo: brilio.net/ida
Pujaningsih is the third generation of the original descendants of Mbah Karto (founder of the Sop Empal Bu Haryoko stall). Of the 7 siblings, only Pujaningsih continues the family business. This is because he admits that he likes cooking and has been helping his mother's business since he was young.
After graduating from junior high school, my mother was forbidden to continue going to school and was told to help me in the shop. "And I also enjoy and have a talent for cooking and selling," he explained.
While selling, Pujaningsih admitted that there were no significant challenges. Except, in 2020 when the COVID-19 virus entered Indonesia. The reduced number of tourists going to Muntilan made him inevitably close the shop for a while.
"The roads are quiet, people don't eat snacks because they're afraid. "Finally I closed the shop for 3 1/2 months," he explained.
Currently, Bu Haryoko's empal soup stall already has one branch. Not in Magelang City, the first branch of Bu Haryoko's empal soup stall was actually founded in Yogyakarta. After investigating, this branch of the Muntilan stall is managed by Pujingsih's children, who are the fourth generation.
Mrs. Haryoko's empal soup stall in Muntilan is also busy with famous people. Starting from artists, religious teachers, to officials. Such as Yuki Kato, Enzy Storia, Vidi Aldiano, Ustaz Widianto, Susi Pudjiastuti, and Sultan Hamengkubuwono X.
Bu Haryoko's empal meat soup stall is open every day Monday to Sunday, from 06.00-14.30 WIB. However, because it's so busy, the empal soup usually runs out at 13.00 WIB, you know. A bowl of empal soup is priced at IDR 30,000 per portion. For those of you who visit Muntilan, don't miss tasting this menu directly.