Roti gambang facts for kids
Roti gambang, cinnamon bread sprinkled with sesame seeds.
|
|
| Alternative names | Ganjel rel (Javanese) |
|---|---|
| Type | Bread |
| Course | Breakfast, appetizer |
| Place of origin | Indonesia |
| Region or state | Jakarta and Semarang |
| Created by | Betawi and Javanese |
Roti gambang is a unique Indonesian bread. It is also known as ganjel rel in Javanese. This rectangular brown bread is topped with sesame seeds. It gets its delicious taste from cinnamon and palm sugar.
This special bread is a traditional food from Jakarta, where it's called Roti gambang. It's also a well-known Javanese bread, called roti ganjel rel. People in Java often enjoy it during special times. These include the Dugderan festival, the holy month of Ramadan, and the celebration of Eid ul-Fitr. Roti gambang comes from Jakarta and Semarang in Central Java.
In 2019, CNN listed this bread as one of the 50 best breads in the world!
What's in a Name?
Why "Gambang"?
The name gambang comes from the Betawi language. It refers to a musical instrument called a gambang. This instrument is like a xylophone, made of wooden or metal bars. You can find it in traditional Betawi orchestras called gambang kromong. It's also part of the larger gamelan orchestra. The bread got this name because its shape looks a lot like the bars of the gambang instrument.
Why "Ganjel Rel"?
In Javanese, the bread is called roti ganjel rel. This name means "rail support bread." It refers to the wooden pieces that hold train tracks in place. These are called railroad ties. Just like the gambang, the bread's shape reminded people of these rail ties. They help keep the train tracks steady on the ground.
