In Solo, a city rich with culinary tradition, one dish continues to spark intense debate while quietly maintaining its popularity: sate jamu. Despite being controversial for its use of dog meat, this street food has a steady following. While some regard it as a health-boosting delicacy, others condemn it for ethical and legal concerns. The dish remains freely available across the city, sold openly at night stalls despite growing public criticism.
The rise in attention toward Solo’s unique food scene, especially after the popularity of Ayam Goreng Widuran, has drawn the spotlight to the city’s more extreme and non-halal offerings. Among them is sate jamu, a dish whose name masks its true ingredients and origin.
Although the term sate jamu might suggest a satay infused with herbs, the reality is starkly different. The dish is made using dog meat—cleaned, cubed, skewered, and grilled like any typical satay. It’s served with sweet soy sauce, pickles, and slices of fresh tomato, giving it the appearance of more familiar dishes like chicken or goat satay.
This deceptive simplicity has led many visitors to mistakenly assume it’s a herbal dish. But as locals know, the term “jamu” is used not because of herbs, but because of a deep-rooted belief in its health benefits.
According to Solopos, a man identified only as Ks, who runs a dog slaughterhouse in Solo, explained: “Dog meat is believed to refresh the body. That’s why people here call it jamu.”
In fact, some locals even claim that consuming dog meat can boost male vitality, further reinforcing its appeal under the jamu label. This misleading name often catches unsuspecting visitors off guard when they realize what they’ve ordered.
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What makes the situation more troubling is how the meat is sourced. According to detiktravel, the supply chain behind sate jamu is tied to the hunting of stray dogs. Those involved in the practice are known as Jorangas, a term used to describe men who prowl the streets shirtless, often sporting thick mustaches, and armed with long sticks or whips.
These individuals capture stray dogs by inflicting pain to weaken them before finally trapping them with a noose around the neck. Once caught, the animals are sent to slaughterhouses, and the meat is later distributed to markets throughout Solo.
This underground supply network supports not only sate jamu but also other extreme dishes like sengsu, another popular yet controversial non-halal menu item in the city.
Despite the growing outcry from animal welfare groups, efforts to restrict the sale of dog meat have met resistance. The local government has attempted crackdowns, but according to a report by RRI, these efforts are often hampered by poor communication and limited public education about the issue.
As a result, stalls selling sate jamu continue to operate across Solo, particularly at night. Vendors are easy to find, and the dish remains widely available despite protests from animal rights organizations.
Although the sale and consumption of dog meat are considered illegal, enforcement remains weak. For now, sate jamu continues to be served and eaten in plain sight—a symbol of Solo’s complex relationship with culinary tradition, cultural belief, and evolving ethical standards.
