A Life Lesson from Tumpang

Sambal tumpang is a dish local to Solo, the city I have lived in for the 6 years of my medical education. It is made of fermented tempe (which is made of fermented soy beans), so its basically double fermented soy beans. It smells rancid, tastes very funky, and is unappetizing to most people. Interestingly, I have grown to love this dish, especially when its made of extra fermented tempe, giving it an extra sharpness that only few have grown accustomed to.

Yes, it looks like diarrhea. You might be wondering, what is there to love about such a bad excuse for a dish (more like survival food for the less wealthy). I guess overtime, I found meaning in eating this dish. I don't know if its self torture, but I slowly begun to enjoy its sharp stench and funky taste.

I guess it grew on me because of its unique taste. I gradually ignored the fact that its made of double fermented rotten soybeans, and enjoyed it for what it is, a dish with a very unique flavor. I guess its like life (especially mine when I reflect on it). Its full of rotten things, looks like shit, and most people may find it repulsive. But it is what it is, all of the experiences has shaped me into a unique person with these unique views and beliefs. I guess I learnt to embrace all the seemingly unappetizing parts of my life, and accepted that they are what has shaped me to become the person I am today. In more than a few ways, I am somewhat like sambal tumpang. I should give more compliments to The Chef, as this dish has become one of my all time favorite.