Takjil is a term in the Indonesian language that refers to light snacks or drinks consumed to break the fast during Ramadan. Typically, takjil is served and enjoyed when it's time to break the fast, which is after sunset.
These takjil foods or drinks are intended to provide energy and nutrients after fasting all day, as well as help restore blood sugar levels in the body after a day of fasting. The tradition of serving and enjoying takjil is an integral part of Ramadan culture in various Muslim countries around the world.
So, what takjil is usually served during Ramadan? Find your answer in this article.
1. Dates
Dates are a very common and popular takjil in many Muslim countries. Dates are rich in energy and are often the first choice for breaking the fast because they provide nutrition and quickly replenish blood sugar levels.
2. Kolak
Kolak is one of the popular takjil during the fasting month. This sweet dish is made from fruits or other ingredients cooked with coconut milk, sugar, and spices such as cinnamon and cloves. Additionally, kolak can be made in various variations, such as banana kolak, sweet potato kolak, palm seed kolak, and so on.
3. Es Buah
Es buah is made from fresh fruit pieces such as watermelon, melon, oranges, and grapes served in shaved ice or sweet syrup. Sometimes additional sweetened condensed milk or chocolate syrup is added to give a more delicious taste. Es buah is very refreshing and provides hydration after fasting all day, so many people choose it as their favorite takjil during Ramadan.
4. Mung Bean Ice
The main ingredient for making mung bean ice is boiled mung beans served cold with shaved ice, coconut milk, liquid palm sugar, and ice cubes. Sometimes, mung bean ice is also added with agar-agar, pearls, or fruit pieces to give a more interesting taste and texture variation.
5. Fried Banana
Fried bananas are a light snack made from bananas wrapped in seasoned flour batter and then fried until golden brown and crispy. It can be served as an appetizer or dessert when breaking the fast. This takjil is a favorite choice because of its delicious, sweet taste and crispy texture on the outside and soft on the inside.
6. Dawet
This refreshing beverage is made from shaved ice, coconut milk, liquid palm sugar, and dawet (usually made from rice flour or hunkwe flour). Dawet has a chewy texture and is usually given a natural green color from pandan leaves or synthetic coloring to give an attractive color. This beverage is very popular in Indonesia during Ramadan and is often served as an appetizer when breaking the fast.
7. Es Campur
Similar to sop buah, es campur uses a mixture of various ingredients such as shaved ice, fresh fruit pieces, agar-agar, nata de coco, basil seeds, and sweet syrup. Es campur provides a fresh and refreshing sensation with a combination of various textures and flavors, making it a popular choice for many people when breaking the fast.
8. Traditional Cakes
Finally, traditional cakes should not be missed during breaking the fast. Some examples of traditional cakes often served as takjil include klepon (sweet rice cake balls filled with palm sugar), lupis (glutinous rice cake with coconut and palm sugar), cenil (cassava balls with coconut and palm sugar), onde-onde (fried glutinous rice balls filled with sweet mung bean paste), dadar gulung (rolled pancakes filled with coconut and palm sugar), and many more. Usually, many people sell traditional cakes during Ramadan.
So those are some takjil usually served during Ramadan, ranging from dates, es buah, to various traditional cakes. These takjil not only provide energy and nutrients after fasting but also enrich the experience of iftar with unique flavors and aromas.
