The Inherited Flame
The Inherited Flame
Discover the heart of Yogyakarta through one of its most iconic dishes: Gudeg. In this intimate short film by Miranda Harlan, we meet Ratiyah Sidik, a master Gudeg chef and daughter of the legendary Mbah Lindu, who was once known as the oldest street food vendor in the world.
Film Maker
Miranda Harlan
Indonesia
Miranda Harlan is an Indonesian filmmaker, born in Sumatra, yet raised and now based in Yogyakarta. She began her creative journey as a novelist, with works published since 2004. In 2011, she co-founded a production house and has since produced numerous documentaries in collaboration with her partner.
Her foray into fiction filmmaking began in 2019, when she joined a national short film competition in a vernacular language organized by Indonesia’s Ministry of Education and Culture. After winning the competition, she went on to write and direct several fiction films while continuing her documentary work.
Her films often explore women’s issues, environmental and social themes, many of which have been supported by public grants awarded through competitive selection. Through her work, she aspires to contribute to a better world—one meaningful step at a time.
Film Master
- Craft
- Gudeg Chef
- Country
- Indonesia
Ratiyah Sidik is the third daughter of Mbah/Mbok Lindu, a legendary Gudeg maker that has been selling since Indonesia’s pre-independence time . Born and raised in Klebengan, Depok (Sleman), she stepped into her mother’s culinary legacy around 2017, taking over the daily operations at the Sosrowijayan, once at the guard post and later moved to a new place on the east side of the street.
Now in her mid-50s, Ratiyah continues to prepare and serve the iconic dish each day—starting before dawn, using her mother’s original recipe and traditional wood-fired cooking methods to preserve the authentic taste her family has maintained for generations .
She remains deeply committed not only to the flavours passed down from her mother but also to the warm, inclusive spirit that made Mbah Lindu beloved by all , regardless of social status. In choosing to carry on the family trade, Ratiyah upholds both a cherished cultural tradition and a testament to small-scale resilience—honouring her mother’s memory one serving at a time.