Holiday Ayo - The origin of the name Pecel Lele may often be a question for many people. What is the actual history of  pecel lele itself? 

Pecel lele is often a 'hunger quencher' food at night. Even though it is called pecel, this dish is different from pecel in general, which comes with steamed or boiled vegetables and sprinkled with peanut sauce. 

Pecel lele actually has a different appearance. Pecel lele which is sold on the side of the road serves a complete menu of fried catfish along with fresh vegetables, Kremesan, chili sauce and rice. 

Very different from pecel rice dishes in general. There are no steamed vegetables or peanut sauce served. So, what exactly is the origin of the name Pecel Lele? 

It is said that the catfish pecel menu only appeared in Lamongan Regency, East Java around the end of the 1970s. 

This menu was a hit and began to spread to other areas, especially in Jakarta. Having a delicious taste and being able to be enjoyed by almost all ages makes catfish pecel easily accepted by society. 

However, the history of pecel lele itself cannot be separated from the lives of the people in Sekaran and Maduran Districts who migrated to Jakarta in the 1980s. 

At that time, these overseas people saw Betawi people selling pecak lele. You could say that pecak lele is the forerunner to the emergence of pecel catfish, which is loved by many people today. 

Quoting detikjatim, a chef from Lamongan Farikh Makhmud said that Sekaran and Maduran residents who returned to their respective areas from overseas immediately made catfish pecel. 

A chef from Lamongan, Farikh Makhmud, said that Sekaran and Maduran residents who returned to their respective areas from overseas immediately made catfish pecel. 

The spices are formulated according to the taste buds and preferences of the people there. From what was originally called Pecak Lele, it was modified to become Pecel Lele. 

Pecel lele also has its own characteristics, namely the chili sauce which tends to be wet but tastes delicious when enjoyed. Thus, the origin of the name pecel lele originates from the pecak lele dish which is a Betawi specialty.