Savor 'Fried Batman' in East Java town<\/p>\n
By Gin Kurniawan and Christianto W<\/p>\n
KEDIRI, East Java (JP): What comes to mind when you think of
\nbats? Their appearance is indeed frightening and with their fang-
\nlike teeth, these creatures of the night are often associated
\nwith the notorious blood-sucking vampire.<\/p>\n
Most people cringe at the thought of the fruit-eating bat
\n(cynterus macroglasus enyteris), but not so some residents of
\nKediri. For these people, the bat has become a source of
\nlivelihood, benefiting dozens of bat hunters. Not surprisingly,
\nthere is even a restaurant here specializing in fried bat.<\/p>\n
Kediri, a famed cigarette manufacturing city and the
\nbirthplace of one of the world's multibillionaires, has lately
\nbecome intoxicated with bat hunting, the result of the rise in
\nthe number of restaurants serving the locally nicknamed dish
\nFried Batman, a name obviously derived from the well-known comic
\nbook hero.<\/p>\n
The owner of the first Fried Batman foodstall is Tukimin, 44,
\na resident of Gayam village, Mojoroto subdistrict, Kediri. His
\nrestaurant serves hundreds of crisp fried bats to his regular
\ncustomers, who believe that consuming these mammals have health
\nbenefits, such as curing respiratory diseases and enhancing
\nvitality.<\/p>\n
\"I had a respiratory disorder but it completely disappeared
\nafter consuming these bats. But I really don't know how they (my
\ncustomers) discovered me,\" he modestly commented about his
\nsuccess in attracting customers, who apparently heard the news of
\nhis recovery and began flocking to his stall. While still not
\nsure exactly how all this happened, Tukimin is now a recognized
\nFried Batman businessman.<\/p>\n
The proof of his stall's success, established a year ago, is
\nin the daily sales of no less than 100 fried pieces of bat for Rp
\n2,000 each.<\/p>\n
Realizing that only the fruit-consuming bat, or codot, makes
\nfor a mouth-watering dish, Tukimin ensures the catch by hunting
\nthe bats himself, something he is good at.<\/p>\n
Every night sees him and his colleagues trail up and down
\nfruit plantations, always gazing up at the trees ready to shoot
\ndown their intended prey. This method ensures a crisp and salty
\ndish, akin to fried chicken, in contrast to snaring the bats with
\nnets, which results in musty tasting Fried Batman.<\/p>\n
Tukimin is not alone in his enterprise. After returning in the
\nearly morning, his wife, Suryanti, 40, takes over. The catch is
\nprepared and seasoned with her specially blended spices and
\ncondiments.<\/p>\n
\"The blend of spices and relish I use are actually simple ...
\nsimilar to that used for frying chicken,\" Suryanti said.<\/p>\n
As Tukimin revealed, there are many who believe in the healing
\npower of bats. Among the diseases thought to be cured by
\nregularly consuming bat are skin diseases and asthma.<\/p>\n
A segment of his regular customers are youths hoping to enroll
\nin the military or police academies. \"They routinely consume bat
\nprior to the enrollment tests, as it is believed to improve your
\nhealth,\" he explained.<\/p>\n
The increase in demand has forced Tukimin to buy bats from
\nother hunters for Rp 1,200 each, on the condition that the bats
\nbe shot not caught with nets. Hunters now travel to fruit
\nplantations in Blitar, Nganjuk, Ngawi and Tulungagung regencies
\nin search of prey.<\/p>\n
There is a daily queue of faithful Fried Batman customers in
\nthe narrow alley where Tukimin's foodstall and house are located.
\n\"Those routinely consuming bat for curative purposes often have
\nto preorder. On top of that, every month on Friday our stocks
\nsell out after the Mass at the Pohsarang Catholic Church,\"
\nTukimin said.<\/p>\n
Tukimin certainly could not foresee that his bat-hunting hobby
\nwould bear such fruits. Though not a rich man, his current
\nearnings are more than enough to support his family.<\/p>\n
\"I started out hunting bats solely for my own family's
\nconsumption,\" he said, adding that when someone requested a bat
\nfor medicinal purposes he would give them the bat for free.<\/p>\n
While munching on his own piece of Fried Batman, he commented:
\n\"As these bats consume fruits, we get lots of useful vitamins by
\neating them. This is actually a recognized treatment from ancient
\ntimes.\"<\/p>\n
So, believe it or not, a fried bat on your plate is the
\nreality in Kediri today.<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/savor-fried-batman-in-east-java-town-1447893297",
"image": ""
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
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