<![CDATA[This study analyzes the intrinsic elements in the short story collection Jelajah Cita Rasa, produced from the Short Story Competition of the Malang City Literary Festival 2024. The study is motivated by the limited scholarly attention given to culinary-themed short stories, particularly from the perspective of aesthetic structure. In fact, food can embody social meanings, collective memory, and cultural identity. This research aims to describe the intrinsic elements of the Jelajah Cita Rasa short story collection. This study employs a qualitative approach with a descriptive-analytical method. The data sources consist of three selected short stories from the Jelajah Cita Rasa anthology, yielding a total of 71 data points. Data were collected through library research techniques and analyzed through the stages of data reduction, data display, and conclusion drawing. Data validity was ensured through source and theoretical triangulation. The findings indicate that the intrinsic elements in the three short stories function in an integrated and mutually reinforcing manner. The major themes revolve around interpersonal relationships, the inheritance of values, and self-acceptance, all mediated through culinary symbols. A progressive plot interspersed with flashbacks strengthens the emotional dynamics, while characterization develops in a psychological and realistic manner. Setting, an omniscient third-person point of view, and a poetic and symbolic language style further enhance the atmosphere and depth of meaning. The conveyed messages represent culinary elements as a medium for transmitting life values, such as unconditional love, the significance of heritage, and existential acceptance. Overall, culinary elements in the three short stories function as essential narrative components that are integrated into the story structure to convey values, social critique, and reflections on life. This study contributes by affirming culinary elements as structural intrinsic components, while also offering a new perspective in contemporary Indonesian literary studies through a gastrocultural critical framework.]]>
