Explore various legendary Surabaya specialties, such as Rujak Cingur to Sate Lisidu, which are ready to pamper your tongue with unique and authentic flavors.
Surabaya, the capital of East Java Province, is known as the City of Heroes for its important history in Indonesia’s struggle for independence. However, apart from being a historical center, Surabaya also has a rich and diverse culinary heritage, with a variety of mouth-watering specialties.
This city offers a number of legendary culinary delights that have long been favorites, not only for local residents, but also for tourists. Here are 10 Typical Surabaya Culinary delights that you must try when visiting.
1. Rujak Cingur
It would be incomplete if you visit Surabaya without trying Rujak Cingur, an iconic dish consisting of vegetables, fruits, and cingur (cow’s nose). Unlike most rujak, rujak cingur is served with a special petis sauce that has a savory and sweet taste.
The chewy texture of cingur combined with the freshness of vegetables and fruits makes rujak cingur one of the culinary delights that is always sought after by lovers of traditional food.
2. Rawon
Rawon is a typical East Javanese dish that is synonymous with its black sauce, which comes from the use of kluwek. This thick and rich sauce is combined with tender pieces of beef, creating a mouth-watering taste sensation.
Rawon is usually served with white rice, bean sprouts, and salted eggs. For those of you who want to taste culinary soup with a distinctive taste, rawon is the perfect choice.
3. Lontong Balap
Lontong Balap is a typical Surabaya culinary consisting of lontong, bean sprouts, fried tofu, lentho (green bean fritters), and doused with a sweet and savory sauce.
In the past, lontong balap sellers were famous for running fast carrying their wares, as if they were racing, hence the name of this dish. Lontong balap is best enjoyed with petis chili sauce which provides additional savory and spicy flavors.
4. Rice with Sambal
For spicy food lovers, Sego Sambel is a must-try dish. This dish is simple yet satisfying, consisting of white rice served with spicy chili sauce and a variety of side dishes such as fried tempeh, fish, or chicken.
Although it looks simple, the combination of spicy and savory chili sauce will make you addicted. Sego Sambel is one of the popular night culinary in Surabaya, especially for those who are looking for a spicy and biting taste .
5. Lisidu Satay
Sate Lisidu is a typical Surabaya satay which is famous for its flat shape and unique cooking technique. The free-range chicken meat used makes this satay taste more tender, and the careful grilling process allows the smeared peanut sauce to penetrate deeper into the meat.
Sate Lisidu is served with lontong and thick peanut sauce, creating a tempting harmony of flavors.
6. Mixed Tofu
Tahu Campur is a typical Surabaya dish made from fried tofu, beef, bean sprouts, yellow noodles, and crackers, served with a delicious broth. The mixed tofu sauce which is rich in spices is an important element that gives this dish its distinctive taste.
Enjoy this dish with petis chili sauce for a more complete and authentic taste. Each bite of mixed tofu provides a satisfying combination of textures between soft tofu and crunchy bean sprouts.
7. Clover Salad
One of the traditional foods that is increasingly rare to find is Pecel Semanggi. Unlike pecel in general, this pecel uses clover leaves as its main ingredient, served with thick peanut sauce and crackers as cutlery.
Pecel semanggi is often sold by street vendors and is a very popular culinary dish among Surabaya residents. If you are lucky enough to find one, be sure to try it.
8. Klopo Satay
Sate Klopo is a unique variation of satay offered by Surabaya. Unlike most satay, Sate Klopo is coated with grated coconut before being grilled, giving it a distinctive savory taste and aroma. You can choose from a variety of meats, from chicken to beef.
Sate klopo is usually served with lontong and peanut sauce that complement the deliciousness of the meat. The crunchy texture of the coconut is a characteristic that distinguishes it from ordinary satay.
9. Tahu Tek
Tahu Tek is one of the most popular street foods in Surabaya. This dish consists of fried tofu, potatoes, rice cakes, and fried eggs, drizzled with delicious petis sauce.
The name tahu tek itself comes from the “tek-tek” sound produced by the vendor’s cart when selling this food. Complete with shrimp crackers and ground peanuts, tahu tek offers a delicious combination of sweet, savory, and slightly spicy flavors.
10. Rice Noodles
Lastly, don’t miss Lontong Mie, a dish that combines lontong and yellow noodles with a savory shrimp sauce. This dish is usually topped with bean sprouts, tofu, and lentho, creating an interesting combination of textures.
Thick and delicious shrimp sauce is the main element of lontong mie, providing a rich and savory taste. Lontong mie is one of the traditional dishes that you must try when visiting Surabaya. With a variety of delicious and authentic culinary delights, Surabaya is truly a heaven for food lovers.
From Typical East Java Food like rujak cingur to lontong mie, the city offers many choices that will pamper your taste buds. So, when you visit Surabaya, make sure to try the legendary culinary delights that have become icons of the City of Heroes.