<![CDATA[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.]]>
