This morning I want to visit the "Kraton Surakarta" or Surakarta Palace, but before that, have my breakfast. I get my becak driver to take me to Soto Gading which was recommended to me by Retno. I get there and sit down on a long bench and promptly a bowl of steaming soto ayem is placed on my table without me ordering. It appears every one is here for the soto and so there is no need to be specific about your order.
I ask around the table and I am told of course I can eat the many other types of food laid out on the table. There are tahu, telor masak (black in color), buntut ayem, hati ayem, spring rolls, etc. I am thinking " let's play safe and refrain from eating these".
The Soto is a combination of rice and vermicelli in a bowl of chicken soup or broth. There is also the spring onion, fried onion and shreds of chicken meat. It tastes really nice (homely, heart warming) with some sambal and lime I added into it.It's a small bowl of food and I also have my kopi hitam cap kapal api. It's just nice for breakfast, I like it.
It costs me only RP9,500 or about US$1.10.
This sign on the wall says "No urination here except dogs"
