Flavors and Stories: The History of Gandjel Rel as a Unique Culinary in Semarang City

Abstract

Semarang, a city with a rich historical past, began as a Pragota port in the 8th century and developed significantly over time, marked by the arrival of Admiral Cheng Ho in 1405 and the spread of Islam by Prince Madhe Pandan at the end of the 15th century. . century. Today, Semarang is known as a tourist city, with its culinary heritage playing an important role in the city's identity. One of the city's famous traditional dishes is Roti Ganjel Rel, a unique bread that dates back to colonial times. Originally called Roti Xylophone, it is said to have been inspired by the Dutch dish Ontbijtkoek, and over time evolved into the current version, which is often associated with the shape of a railroad track, hence the name. This study focuses on the history and meaning of Roti Ganjel Rel as part of Semarang's culinary heritage. The research method used is a qualitative descriptive method, which includes analysis of primary and secondary sources, such as interviews, documents and online articles. This type of bread, although once very popular, faces many challenges in modern times, including competition from contemporary foods, limited innovation, and changing consumer preferences. However, Roti Ganjel Rel remains a popular dish at certain times, such as the month of Ramadan. To understand why it has fallen out of favor, we'll look at factors such as a lack of flavor variety, texture issues, and inadequate modern marketing and education efforts. Enough. The paper also offers strategic recommendations, including improvements in taste, texture, presentation and promotion to revive interest in Roti Ganjel Rel, potentially making it a trending food on the modern culinary scene. Additionally, educational initiatives are also proposed to increase public awareness about this traditional dish. These findings aim to provide a comprehensive understanding of how to preserve and adapt Roti Ganjel Rel in the context of contemporary culinary culture.