Culinary seafood In Depok Beach

Among other beaches in Bantul, Depok Beach was the one that looked most designed to be the center of culinary tourism to enjoy sea food. On this beach, there are a number of traditional food stalls offering seafood, lined up not far from the beach. Some stalls were intentionally designed to face south, so while enjoying seafood, you can see the view of the open sea with big waves.

Diner feel of a typical coastal and fishing activities Depok Beach has grown since 10 years ago. According to the story, around 1997, some fishermen from Cilacap find an adequate landing site in Depok Beach. The fishermen with catches pretty much inspired the local people who made their living as farmers to catch fish.

A number of coastal residents began to become "Tekong", local term for a fish finder. The Tekong fishing with a capital of a motor boat equipped outrigger. Catching fish is done almost throughout the year, except on certain days that are considered sacred, namely Tuesday and Friday. Outside the fish that goes bad season between the months of June to September, the number of catches is quite good.]

Because of the number of catches is large enough, the locals opened the Fish Landing Base (PPI) which is then fitted with a fish auction place (TPI) named Mina Bahari 45. Place the fish auction at the beach is even accept deposits fish caught by a fisherman in the beach- other beaches. 

With the increasing number of visitors to the beach which is 1.5 kilometers from Parangtritis, then opened a diner-eat sea food stalls. Generally, food stalls that stood on this beach offers a traditional feel. Buildings seem simple diner with pyramid roof, while the seat is designed Lesbian using mats and small tables. Although simple, they are clean and comfortable.

A variety of seafood dishes can be sampled. The fish dishes are the most popular and inexpensive is tuna. Other fish species that can be enjoyed is sea bass and red snapper. Types of fish that are quite expensive is pomfret. Besides fish, there are also crabs, shrimp and squid.

The seafood is usually served grilled or fried. If you want to order, you can go to the fish auction to order fish or other catches. After that, you usually will be escorted to one of the food stalls at the beach by one of the residents.

Satisfied enjoy the seafood, you can exit the beach and turn right towards Parangkusumo and Parangtritis. There, you will find a rare natural scenery and stunning, ie sandbanks. Sandbanks in this beach is the only one in Southeast Asia and is a phenomenon that is rarely found in tropical areas. Here, you can enjoy a vast expanse of sand, like desert.

Sandbanks located near Depok Beach formed over thousands of years through a process that is quite unique. In the past, there are various types were formed, namely barchan dune, dune comb, parabolic dune and longitudinal dune. Currently only a few are barchan and longitudinal. The sea breeze and the steep hill to the east of Merapi activity results of the sands deposited near the river to the mainland, forming dunes or dune.

To enjoy seafood while admiring the sand dunes, you can take the same road to Parangtritis Yogyakarta. After arriving at the near post retribution Parangtritis, you can turn right to Depok Beach.

Manuscript: Yunanto Wiji Utomo
Photo & Artistic: Agung Sulistiono Mabruron