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{{Short description|Indonesian vegetable dish}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2024}}
{{Infobox prepared food
| name = Pecel
| image = Pecel Hariadhi.JPG
| caption = 
| alternate_name = Pecal
| country = [[Indonesia]]
| region = [[Ponorogo Regency|Ponorogo]], [[Madiun]], [[Ngawi Regency|Ngawi]], [[Special Region of Yogyakarta|Yogyakarta]], [[Central Java]], [[East Java]]
| national_cuisine = 
| creator =
| course = 
| served = Room temperature
| main_ingredient = Vegetables in peanut sauce
| variations = 
| calories = 
| other =
}}

'''Pecel''' ({{IPA|id|pət͡ʃəl}}, [[Javanese language|Javanese]]:ꦥꦼꦕꦼꦭ꧀) is a traditional [[Javanese cuisine|Javanese]] [[salad]] with [[peanut sauce]],<ref name="JP-Pecel">{{Cite web|url=https://www.thejakartapost.com/life/2019/10/24/digging-into-the-history-of-pecel.html|title=Digging into the history of 'pecel'|last=Putra AW|first=Nedi|website=The Jakarta Post|language=en|date=24 October 2019|access-date=24 October 2019|archive-date=24 October 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191024123538/https://www.thejakartapost.com/life/2019/10/24/digging-into-the-history-of-pecel.html|url-status=live}}</ref> usually eaten with [[steamed rice]], ''[[lontong]]'' or ''[[ketupat]]''.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |url=http://indonesiaeats.com/pecel-pecal-java-salad-peanut-sambal-sauce/ |title=Pecel Recipe (Java Style Salad with Peanut Sambal) |access-date=19 January 2015 |archive-date=6 May 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160506050236/http://indonesiaeats.com/pecel-pecal-java-salad-peanut-sambal-sauce/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.indochinekitchen.com/recipes/vegetable-salad-with-peanut-sauce-pecel/|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20150119234356/http://www.indochinekitchen.com/recipes/vegetable-salad-with-peanut-sauce-pecel/|url-status=dead|title=Vegetable Salad with Peanut Sauce, Pecel|archivedate=19 January 2015}}</ref>

The simplicity of its preparation and cheap price has contributed to its popularity throughout Java. It has become a food that represents practicality, simplicity, and travel since the dish is often found along train journeys across Java.<ref name="Kompas-Pecel">{{Cite web|url=https://travel.kompas.com/read/2018/02/24/090100227/asal-usul-pecel-makanan-untuk-semua-kalangan-yang-kaya-gizi|title=Asal Usul Pecel, Makanan untuk Semua Kalangan yang Kaya Gizi|last=Agmasari|first=Silvita|website=KOMPAS.com|date=24 February 2018|language=id|access-date=24 October 2019|archive-date=24 October 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191024131835/https://travel.kompas.com/read/2018/02/24/090100227/asal-usul-pecel-makanan-untuk-semua-kalangan-yang-kaya-gizi|url-status=live}}</ref>

Pecel was introduced to [[Malaysia]], where it is known as '''pecal''',<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.thestar.com.my/Lifestyle/Food/2013/07/31/Buffet-features-favourite-dishes-of-Malaysias-first-four-prime-ministers.aspx|title=Buffet features favourite dishes of Malaysia's first four prime ministers|date=31 July 2013|work=[[The Star (Malaysia)]]|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130926081857/http://www.thestar.com.my/Lifestyle/Food/2013/07/31/Buffet-features-favourite-dishes-of-Malaysias-first-four-prime-ministers.aspx|archive-date=26 September 2013|access-date=26 August 2013}}</ref> by [[Javanese people|Javanese]] immigrants. Pecel is also very popular in [[Suriname]], where it was introduced by the [[Javanese Surinamese]].

==History==
Pecel is an ancient food that has existed since the 9th century AD, the era of the [[Mataram Kingdom|Ancient Mataram Kingdom]] under the reign of king [[Balitung|Rakai Watukura Dyah Balitung]] (898–930 AD) which was recorded in the [[Kakawin Ramayana]]. Pecel is also written in the Taji Ponorogo Inscription (901 AD), the Siman Inscription from Kediri (865 S/943 AD), the [[Babad Tanah Jawi]] (1647 AD) and [[Serat Centhini]] (1742 S/1814 AD).<ref>{{Cite web |last=Setya |first=Devi |title=Pecel Tercatat Sejarah Sudah Dinikmati Sejak Abad 9 Masehi |url=https://food.detik.com/info-kuliner/d-5638478/pecel-tercatat-sejarah-sudah-dinikmati-sejak-abad-9-masehi |access-date=12 April 2024 |website=detikfood |language=id-ID |archive-date=14 August 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230814174408/https://food.detik.com/info-kuliner/d-5638478/pecel-tercatat-sejarah-sudah-dinikmati-sejak-abad-9-masehi |url-status=live }}</ref>



''Pecel'' is only one of many Javanese vegetable-based salads. It is similar to ''[[Lotek (food)|lothek]]'', except that ''lothek'' is usually served with fried batter or tofu and uses both raw and cooked vegetables.<ref>{{Cite web|date=7 February 2021|title=Resep Lotek Yogyakarta, Sayur Rebus Siram Bumbu Kacang buat Sarapan|url=https://www.kompas.com/food/read/2021/02/07/080800975/resep-lotek-yogyakarta-sayur-rebus-siram-bumbu-kacang-buat-sarapan|access-date=6 March 2021|website=KOMPAS.com|language=id|archive-date=16 February 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210216022338/https://www.kompas.com/food/read/2021/02/07/080800975/resep-lotek-yogyakarta-sayur-rebus-siram-bumbu-kacang-buat-sarapan|url-status=live}}</ref>

==Ingredients==
[[File:Penjual pecel di Borobudur.JPG|thumb|right|Displaying vegetables and other ingredients on banana leaf is a traditional way on selling pecel near Borobudur, Central Java.]]
The main ingredients usually consist of leafy vegetables, [[Mung bean sprout|bean sprouts]] (or any other plant sprouts), [[long bean]]s, and [[cabbage]]s. Some other types of vegetables can also be added. People may use [[amaranth]] leaves, ''[[kangkung]]'', [[cassava]] leaves, or leaves of any other local plants that are in season. Some modern recipes will add [[carrot]]s (sliced) into the mix or replace white cabbages with red ones to spice up the color. 

The sauce is made of roasted (or fried) peanuts, tamarind (''[[tamarind|asam jawa]]''), [[coconut sugar]], and other spices. It might be served thick or watery, sweet or spicy, depending on the regional variation.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Macam-Macam Pecel di Indonesia, Apakah Ada Pecel Khas Daerahmu? – Bobo|url=https://bobo.grid.id/read/081904569/macam-macam-pecel-di-indonesia-apakah-ada-pecel-khas-daerahmu?page=all|access-date=6 March 2021|website=bobo.grid.id|language=id|archive-date=8 April 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230408040846/https://bobo.grid.id/read/081904569/macam-macam-pecel-di-indonesia-apakah-ada-pecel-khas-daerahmu?page=all|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|first=ChoirulAdnan|last=Kuliner|date=21 June 2016|title=Pecel. Salad Lokal Yang Ternyata Punya Banyak Macam|url=https://www.yukpiknik.com/kuliner/pecel/|access-date=6 March 2021|website=Yuk Piknik|language=en-US|archive-date=29 September 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200929201940/https://www.yukpiknik.com/kuliner/pecel/|url-status=live}}</ref>

''Pecel'' is usually eaten with rice or rice cake (''[[lontong]]'' or ''[[kupat]]''). It can also be eaten alone or with fried side dishes, such as fried ''tempeh'', ''tofu'', etc.; and [[Javanese crackers]], such as ''[[krupuk]]'' or ''[[rempeyek]]''.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Peyek, Makanan Pelengkap Khas Indonesia yang Terkenal Renyah – Bobo|url=https://bobo.grid.id/read/081742537/peyek-makanan-pelengkap-khas-indonesia-yang-terkenal-renyah?page=all|access-date=6 March 2021|website=bobo.grid.id|language=id|archive-date=7 April 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220407160936/https://bobo.grid.id/read/081742537/peyek-makanan-pelengkap-khas-indonesia-yang-terkenal-renyah?page=all|url-status=live}}</ref>

==Variants==
[[File:Pecel Solo.JPG|thumb|right|[[Surakarta|Solo]] pecel, served in a restaurant in Solo, Central Java]]
The difference usually lies in the thickness level of the sauce and the taste profiles (spicy, sweet, or savoury). In [[Central Java]], ''pecel'' sauce is sweet-savoury with medium thickness, except in the northern coast and northeastern regions where the sauce tends to be spicier and the sauce is usually a bit thinner than usual. In [[East Java]], especially [[Madiun]], the peanut sauce is very thin and spicy. River tamarind (''[[Leucaena leucocephala|lamtoro]]'') seeds are often added as a topping. 

In [[Tegal]], Central Java, ''pecel'' sauce is made of peanut and cassava root. In [[Surakarta]]'s ''pecel ndeso'', black sesame sauce is used on top of peanut sauce.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2 December 2017|title=Pecel Ndeso, Kuliner Enak dengan Sambal Wijen Khas Solo|url=https://travelingyuk.com/pecel-ndeso-solo/70836|access-date=6 March 2021|website=Traveling Yuk|language=en|archive-date=23 January 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210123103754/https://travelingyuk.com/pecel-ndeso-solo/70836|url-status=live}}</ref>

In [[Yogyakarta Sultanate|Yogyakarta]], pecel is served with ''bacem'' (sweet-simmered) [[tempeh]] or ''tofu''. In [[Surakarta Sunanate|Surakarta]], a pecel variant called ''lothek'' (alt. spelling: ''[[Lotek (Food)|lotek]]'') includes the use of some raw vegetables, lontong, and ''gorengan''. The name "''lothek''" is derived from "''luthik''", a wooden spatula used to scoop the peanut sauce from a ''cowek'' (grinding bowl).<ref>{{Cite book|last=Poerwadarminta|first=W.J.S.|title=Bausastra|year=1939}}</ref>

''Pecel tumpang'' is a pecel smothered with ''tumpang'' (tempeh sauce). It is a delicacy of Kertosono District in [[Nganjuk]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Menikmati Hidden Gem Nasi Pecel Tumpang |url=https://www.dhahanews.com/travel/pr-5757467839/menikmati-hidden-gem-nasi-pecel-tumpang-mbah-mi-kertosono-sambal-tumpangnya-mantap |website=dhahanews.com |access-date=8 April 2023 |archive-date=8 April 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230408032922/https://www.dhahanews.com/travel/pr-5757467839/menikmati-hidden-gem-nasi-pecel-tumpang-mbah-mi-kertosono-sambal-tumpangnya-mantap |url-status=live }}</ref>  

''Mie pecel'' or ''pecel mie'', noodles with ''pecel'' sauce common in [[Central Java]] as well as [[Medan]]. One of them is ''pecel mie kenyol'' from [[Batang Regency|Batang]], a noodle made from cassava with a chewy texture.<ref>{{cite web |title=Menyantap Pecel Mie Kenyol Khas Batang |url=https://visitjawatengah.jatengprov.go.id/id/artikel/menyantap-pecel-mie-kenyol-khas-batang |website=jatengprov.go.id |publisher=The Government of Central Java |access-date=10 November 2022 |language=Indonesian |archive-date=10 November 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221110233155/https://visitjawatengah.jatengprov.go.id/id/artikel/menyantap-pecel-mie-kenyol-khas-batang |url-status=live }}</ref>

==Gallery==
<gallery mode="packed">
File:Nasi Pecel Khas Madiun.jpg|''Pecel'' [[Madiun Regency|Madiun]] with ''[[rempeyek]]'' cracker
File:Nasi Pecel Daun Jati.jpg|''Pecel'' with fritter, ''sate puyuh'' (quail egg satay), ''sate keong'' (freshwater snail satay), and ''sate usus'' (chicken intestine satay) on a teak leaf in [[Tuban Regency|Tuban]]
File:MIE PECEL.jpg|''Mie pecel'' with ''badak'' (veggies fritter) in [[Semarang]]
</gallery>

==See also==
{{Portal|Food|Indonesia}}
* [[Karedok]]
* [[Tipat cantok]]
* [[Ketoprak (dish)|Ketoprak]]
* [[Lawar (food)|Lawar]]
* [[List of salads]]
* [[Pecel lele]]
* [[Urap]]

==References==
<references/>

{{Indonesian cuisine}}
{{Malaysian cuisine}}

[[Category:Malaysian cuisine]]
[[Category:Javanese cuisine]]
[[Category:Sauces]]
[[Category:Vegetarian dishes of Indonesia]]
[[Category:Vegetable dishes of Indonesia]]
[[Category:Street food in Indonesia]]
[[Category:Salads]]
[[Category:Indonesian salads]]