The Representation of Chicken Noodles as the Meaning of Life in Brian Khrisna’s Novel Seporsi Mie Ayam Sebelum Mati: A Gastrocritical Study

Adinda Safitri; R Panji Hermoyo; Yarno

doi:10.55909/jpbs.v5i4.1603

Authors

Adinda Safitri Prodi Pendidikan Bahasa dan Sastra Indonesia, Universitas Muhammadiyah Surabaya, Jawa Timur, Indonesia
R Panji Hermoyo Prodi Pendidikan Bahasa dan Sastra Indonesia, Universitas Muhammadiyah Surabaya, Jawa Timur, Indonesia
Yarno Prodi Pendidikan Bahasa dan Sastra Indonesia, Universitas Muhammadiyah Surabaya, Jawa Timur, Indonesia

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.55909/jpbs.v5i4.1603

Keywords:

chicken noodles, meaning of life, novel, gastrocriticism

Abstract

Literary works serve as a medium for authors to express themselves, presenting various social experiences one of which is the exploration of culinary themes as part of the creative process. Gastrocriticism serves as a framework for discussing the relationship between cuisine and literature, focusing on various aspects of food that offer a deep understanding of what we eat and embody powerful symbols of identity, meaning, and human experience beyond mere biological needs. The purpose of this study is to describe (1) the representation of chicken noodle soup as a symbol of life in Brian Khrisna’s novel Seporsi Mie Ayam Sebelum Mati through a gastrocritical analysis; and (2) the representation of chicken noodle soup in the life experiences of the character Ale within the narrative of Brian Khrisna’s novel Seporsi Mie Ayam Sebelum Mati using a gastrocritical analysis. This study employs a descriptive qualitative method with a gastrocritical approach, utilizing data collection techniques through reading and note-taking. The results indicate that chicken noodle soup carries meanings of comfort and the hope of survival; the life experiences of the character Ale are portrayed as simple yet worthy of gratitude, making chicken noodle soup a symbol of emotion, acceptance of life, and hope for an individual. These findings confirm that in gastro-critical studies, food not only serves as a narrative element but also carries symbolic meaning related to the characters’ emotional experiences and psychological states.

References

Alfia, B. N., & Syihabuddin. (2025). Transformasi Pandangan Hidup Tokoh Utama Pada Novel Seporsi Mie Ayam Sebelum Mati Karya Brian Khrisna (Perspektif Kebebasan pada Eksistensialisme Jean-Paul Sartre). Jurnal Ilmiah FONEMA, 8(Spesial), 446–462. https://ejournal.unitomo.ac.id/index.php/pbs/article/view/10207

Ariska, A., Devi, R., & Rosa, S. (2024). Lima Konsep Tobin dalam Novel Jisatsu Yotarei Bi karya Akiyoshi Rikako Kajian Gastrokritik. Cakrawala Linguista, 7(2), 66–67.

Billa, M. A., Basuki, I. A., & Susanto, G. (2025). Cita Rasa Sebagai Identitas Budaya dalam Film “Tabula Rasa“: Kajian Gastrokritik. Jurnal Onoma: Pendidikan, Bahasa dan Sastra, 11(2), 1800–1817.

Darmawan, I., Hartati, D., Sugiarti, D. H., & Nurfadilah, K. D. (2025). Identitas Kuliner Nusantara dalam Novel Namaku Alam. Jurnal Lingua Susastra, 6(1), 97–109. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.24036/ls.v6i1.464 Identitas

Darmurtika, L. A., & Mataram, U. M. (2023). Metamorfosis Gastronomi dalam Karya Sastra Kuliner. Jurnal Ilmiah Telaah, 8(2), 18–26. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.31764/telaah.vXiY.17196

Effendy, Z. M., Subargo, Y. L., Santoso, E., & Yarno. (2023). Perkembangan Sosial Tokoh Anna dalam Film “ When Marnie Was There “: Perspektif Psikososial. Didaktis: Jurnal Pendidikan Dan Ilmu Pengetahuan, 23(1), 76–87.

Fatimah, Dewi, D. W. C., & Taqwiem, A. (2025). Gastronomi Dalam Novel “Negeri Van Oranje” Karya Wahyuningrat dan Kawan-Kawan. Locana, 8(2), 1–16. https://doi.org/10.20527/jlc.v8i2.313

Febrina, N. A., Hermawan, S., & Noortyani, R. (2022). Konflik Selera dalam Sepuluh Cerpen Indonesia (Kajian Gastronomi Sastra). Locana, 5(2), 78–96. http://www.locana.id/index.php/JTAM/article/view/99%0Ahttps://www.locana.id/index.php/JTAM/article/download/99/95

Firmansyah, M. R. (2024). Cita Rasa Kudapan Nusantara dalam Novel Berjudul Nagor Karya Harry Nazarudin: Kajian Gastronomi Sastra. BASA, IV(Ii), 55–65.

Firmansyah, M. R., Setyoningrum, V. D., Nuraini, D., & Amalia, R. (2026). Representasi Kuliner Tradisional Nusantara dalam Novel Nonik Jamu Karya Rina Suryakusuma: Kajian Gastrokritik. GHANCARAN: Jurnal Pendidikan Bahasa dan Sastra Indonesia, 7(2), 485–505. https://doi.org/10.19105/ghancaran.v7i2.19744

Hartati, D., & Karim, A. A. (2023). Identitas Kuliner Nusantara dalam Kumpulan Puisi Aku Lihat Bali Karya Mas Triadnyani. Jentera: Jurnal Kajian Sastra, 12(1), 24–36. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.26499/jentera.v12i1.6002

Kadir, H., Bagtayan, Z. A., Mangilo, N., Daud, Y. S., & Mongilong, M. (2025). Representasi Realitas Sosial dalam Novel Seporsi Mie Ayam Sebelum Mati Karya Brian Khrisna: Kajian Sosiologi Sastra Alan Swingewood Herson. Jurnal Pengabdian Masyarakat dan Riset Pendidikan, 4(2), 13602–13613. https://doi.org/10.30605/onoma.v11i4.7176

Khrisna, B. (2025). Seporsi Mie Ayam Sebelum Mati. Jakarta: Gramedia Widiasarana.

Kurniasih, R., Fauzan, A., Pamungkas, O. Y., & Mulasih, M. (2026). Dimensi Profetisme dalam Perjalanan Eksistensial Tokoh Utama pada Novel Seporsi Mie Ayam Sebelum Mati Karya Brian Khrisna. Ruang Kata: Journal of Language and Literature Studies, 6(01), 1–20.

Mukaromah, L., & Anggraini, N. (2026). Aspek Struktural dan Konflik Kejiwaan Tokoh dalam Novel Seporsi Mie Ayam Sebelum Mati. ADIJAYA Jurnal Multidisiplin, 03(06).

Mukti, S. A. P., & Rengganis, R. (2025). Hasrat, Trauma, dan Absurditas Tokoh Dalam Novel Seporsi Mie Ayam Sebelum Mati Karya Brian Khrisna. SeBaSa, 8(2), 561–573. https://doi.org/10.29408/sbs.v8i2.30519

Najmi, A., Ismail, I., & B, M. R. (2025). Eksplorasi Makna Hidup Anak Gen Z di Era Digital. Abdurrauf Journal of Education and Islamic Studies, 2(1), 25–35. https://doi.org/10.70742/arjeis.v2i1.382

Qalbi, S. U., & Nugroho, R. A. (2024). Potret Makanan Aceh dalam Cerpen Kontemporer: Kajian Gastronomi Sastra. Jurnal Onoma: Pendidikan, Bahasa, dan Sastra, 10(1), 734–747. https://doi.org/10.30605/onoma.v10i1.3328

Razak, A. (2017). Metode Riset: Menggapai Mixed Methods dalam Pembelajaran Bahasa Indonesia. Pekanbaru: Ababil Press.

Salsabillah, S. A., Yarno, Y., & Hermoyo, R. P. (2024). Romantisme Russel Noyes dalam Album Lagu Fabula karya Mahalini. Onoma, 10(2), 2144–2156.

Saputri, U., & Karlina, E. M. (2025). Analisis Perkembangan Karakter Tokoh Utama dalam Novel Seporsi Mie Ayam Sebelum Mati Karya Brian Khrisna. TARBIYATUL ILMU: Jurnal Kajian Pendidikan, 2(9), 46–58.

Siu, Y., & Namang, K. W. (2025). Analisis Relasi Makna Sinonimi yang Terdapat dalam Novel “ Janji “ Karya Tere Liye. Jurnal Kajian Penelitian Pendidikan dan Kebudayaan, 3(1), 156–167.

Tyas, D. M., Pertiwi, A., & Nisa, V. Z. (2023). Sosialisasi Peningkatan Pemahaman Kesehatan Mental pada Remaja. Jurnal Pengabdian Masyarakat Bangsa, 1(10), 2578–2585.

Umifa, B. A. D. (2024). Kritik Sosial dalam Novel Sisi Tergelap Surga Karya Brian Khrisna (Kajian Kritik Sosial Soerjono Soekanto). Bapala, 11, 124–136.

Wachidah, L. R., Subandiyah, H., Indarti, T., Ahmadi, A., & Yohanes, B. (2025). Identitas Kolektif dalam Cerita Rakyat Bertema Kuliner ASEAN: Kajian Gastronomi Sastra. GHANCARAN: Jurnal Pendidikan Bahasa dan Sastra Indonesia, 7(1), 307–326. https://doi.org/10.19105/ghancaran.v7i1.17902