Yogya: A guide to the best warungs and shops

By Eleanor Rivers s8
University of Technology Sydney

I've been living in Yogya on the ACICIS program for almost two semesters now, and during my whole time I have lived in the same, great, kost, in the Pogung Baru area off Jl. Kaliurang. I've gotten to know the area pretty well, and the girls in my kost have told me the best places for things, so here is a run down of good places mostly along the Jl. Kaliurang strip.

Warungs:

• The best Nasi Goreng in Yogyakarta is just a bit further north of Maju Supermarket, kilometer 5,3 on the west side. At the moment Nasi Goreng Ayam is rp2000 and with Udang is 2100. It's next to warung that sells gudeg.
• If you're living in the Pogungs, a good place for lunch is Mbak Um's on the East end of Blok C... Javanese food.
  Also in the Pogungs, the west end between Blok B and C there is a great Padang place with a lovely lady who loves to gossip about all the westerners in the area!
• MonaLisa/Silvania, km5, is also a nice little spot, with a good variety of food. Most of it's
  nice (some of it is not so nice).
• Warung Hijau, just a bit further north of the Mataram Ditch is also quite good.
• Rumah Makan Ananda (Jl. Kaliurang, east, up towards the ringroad) - not bad prices and great seafood.
• PUJAYO (PUsat JAjanan YOgya), just a bit further south from Mirota Kampus has the best juices (it also belongs to the father of a friend of mine!).
• There is a great Bubur Ayam place just south of Mirota Kampus too.
• For the best ayam bakar, Suka Suka on Jalan Kaliurang, can't be beaten.

Shops:

• Stationary: best value is at Toko Merah on Jl. Gejayan (west), north of the Jl. Colombo intersection
• Tailor: Leo's, on the intersection of Jl. Colombo and Jl. Gejayan.
• VCD Rental: Wahana on Jl. Kaliurang (east) - best variety and quality.
• Supermarket: Mirota Kampus is the cheapest for most things around this area
• Photo developing: Anita's on Jl. Kaliurang (east) - a little bit more expensive, but I have never had a bad batch from the place
• Internet: when we arrived in January there was only two internet places in the area, ranging from expensive and not so good to cheap and not good at all. Now, there are at least 10 within walking distance from my house, and the standard seems to be a lot better (or maybe I'm just used to it). Bugs next to Hackey's Cafe (Jl. Kaliurang km5, west) is good and the people are really friendly. Tell them that Ela sent you!