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In various cities in Indonesia, there are often Simpang Lima. It is called Simpang Lima because there are five intersections on the road which are the choice of road users. In Banda Aceh, the westernmost city of Indonesia, there is a five-way intersection. There's even a song about Simpang Lima in Banda Aceh.

In Semarang, the capital of Central Java Province, there is also Simpang Lima. The Simpang Lima area is a trade and culinary center in Semarang City. This intersection is the confluence of five unified roads, namely Jalan Pahlawan, Jalan Pandanaran, Jalan Ahmad Yani, Jalan Gajah Mada, and Jalan Ahmad Dahlan.

I have visited Semarang three or four times. On my last visit, around 2018, I even slept at the Ciputra Hotel which offers a view of Simpang Lima. But at that time I only enjoyed Simpang Lima from above.

This is the first time, I stopped at Simpang Lima. The drizzle that falls makes hot Semarang cool. With a friend, I walked under the drizzle. After circling Pancasila Square, we stopped at a stall that was often found on the side of the road.

Simpang Lima Semarang is surrounded by culinary centers that sell typical food, ranging from heavy foods such as various types of seafood, grilled chicken or fish, various types of meat soup, and many more.

Because it was late and I had a cold, I just chose a honey ginger drink. Ginger wedang is made from various types of spices such as ginger, lemongrass, pandan leaves, and various other types of spices. Traditionally, ginger tea is believed to make the body fresh and warm, and can also soothe the throat. Very suitable for me when I have a cold, cough and itchy throat.

In the midst of the drizzle and the night was getting old, I continued to enjoy the ginger drink sip by sip. A warm feeling flows up to the throat. The hot water makes the aroma of various types of spices waft in the air.

Unlike other cities in Indonesia, in Semarang City there are no beggars or buskers. This condition makes visitors who are enjoying various types of culinary delights feel comfortable. Not bothered by buskers or beggars like in Jakarta.[]

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Gerimis Malam di Simpang Lima Semarang: Wedang Jahe!

Di berbagai kota di Indonesia, sering terdapat Simpang Lima. Dinamakan Simpang Lima karena di jalanan terdapat lima simpang yang menjadi pilihan pengguna jalan. Di Banda Aceh, kota paling ujung barat Indonesia, terdapat simpang lima. Bahkan ada lagu tentang Simpang Lima di Banda Aceh.

Di Semarang, ibu kota Provinsi Jawa Tengah, juga terdapat Simpang Lima. Kawasan Simpang Lima merupakan sentra perdagangan dan kuliner di Kota Semarang. Persimpangan ini merupakan pertemuan dari lima jalan yang menyatu, yaitu Jalan Pahlawan, Jalan Pandanaran, Jalan Ahmad Yani, Jalan Gajah Mada, dan Jalan Ahmad Dahlan.

Aku sudah tiga atau empat kali berkunjung ke Semarang. Pada kunjungan terakhir, sekitar 2018, aku bahkan tidur di Hotel Ciputra yang memberikan view Simpang Lima. Tapi waktu itu aku hanya menikmati Simpang Lima dari atas.

Baru kali ini, aku singgah di Simpang Lima. Gerimis yang turun membuat Semarang yang panas menjadi sejuk. Bersama seorang kawan, aku berjalan di bawah gerimis. Setelah mengitari Lapangan Pancasila, kami singgah di sebuah warung yang banyak terdapat di pinggir jalan.

Simpang Lima Semarang memang dikelilingi pusat kuliner yang menjual makanan khas, mulai dari yang berat seperti berbagai jenis seafood, ayam atau ikan bakar, berbagai jenis sop daging, dan banyak lagi.

Karena sudah malam dan sedang flu, aku hanya memilih minuman wedang jahe madu. Wedang jahe dibuat dari berbagai jenis rempah seperti jahe, serai, daun pandan, dan berbagai jenis rempah lainnya. Secara tradisional, wedang jahe diyakini membuat tubuh segar dan hangat, juga bisa melegakan tenggorokan. Sangat cocok buatku yang sedang flu, batuk, dan gatal tenggorokan.

Di tengah gerimis dan malam yang beranjak tua, aku terus menikmati wedang jahe seteguk demi seteguk. Rasa hangat mengalir sampai tenggorokan. Air yang panas membuat aroma berbagai jenis rempah menguar di udara.

Berbeda dengan kota lain di Indonesia, di Kota Semarang tidak ada pengemis dan pengamen. Kondisi ini membuat pengunjung yang sedang menikmati berbagai jenis kuliner, merasa nyaman. Tidak diganggu dengan pengamen atau pengemis seperti di Jakarta.[]