Explore the unique and delicious culinary specialties of South Sumatra, from pempek, tekwan, to eight-hour cake, which are rich in local flavors and traditions.
South Sumatra, with its capital city of Palembang, is a region renowned for its rich and diverse culinary heritage. While pempek is the main icon, there are many other signature dishes that reflect the unique flavors and traditions of the region.
South Sumatran cuisine utilizes seafood, spices, and local ingredients processed using traditional techniques, creating flavors that captivate anyone who tries them.
For those who are visiting or are curious about South Sumatran cuisine, here are 10 Typical South Sumatran Foods that you must try!
1. Tekwan
Tekwan is a very popular soup dish in South Sumatra, especially in Palembang. This food consists of mackerel fish balls mixed with clear shrimp broth, giving it a savory and fresh taste.
Tekwan is served with vermicelli noodles, wood ear mushrooms, and fried onions that add texture to every mouthful.
This soup is often served as a light but filling appetizer. Tekwan is a great choice to enjoy anytime, especially during cold weather because it can provide a warm sensation in the body.
2. Celor Noodles
Mi celor is a typical South Sumatran noodle dish served with thick, savory coconut milk sauce. This dish is complemented by shrimp, bean sprouts, boiled egg, and spring onions which provide a combination of rich flavors and textures that pamper the tongue.
What makes Mi Celor special is the use of large and chewy noodles, different from noodles in general. The thick taste of the broth and the appetizing aroma of coconut milk make Mi Celor one of the favorite dishes for lovers of spicy soup dishes.
3. Patin Fish Soup
Pindang patin is a dish with a spicy sour sauce that is very typical of South Sumatra. The sauce uses a combination of spices such as tamarind, turmeric, lemongrass, and basil leaves which produce a complex and fresh taste.
The catfish used in this dish has soft meat and is rich in nutrients. In addition to its delicious taste, pindang patin is also a healthy food choice because it is low in fat. For lovers of spicy and sour dishes, pindang patin is a must-try dish.
4. Durian Jelly
Lempok is a traditional snack similar to dodol but denser and richer in durian flavor. Made from real durian flesh without any flour mixture, lempok has a sweet taste and a strong durian aroma.
The process of making lempok is quite long and requires special skills because it needs to be stirred continuously until the texture is solid. Even so, the chewy and legit end result makes lempok very suitable as a typical souvenir from South Sumatra.
5. Tempoyak
sweet and sour taste. Tempoyak is generally used as an additional seasoning or chili sauce served with various dishes.
Although not everyone likes the taste and aroma of durian, tempoyak offers a different and unique taste sensation for those who try it. This is one form of traditional culinary richness of South Sumatra that shows local expertise in processing simple ingredients into special dishes.
6. Pempek
Pempek is a typical Palembang food that is best known throughout Indonesia. Made from mackerel mixed with sago, pempek comes in various variants such as submarine pempek, adaan, lenjer, and kulit.
Pempek is served with cuko, a thick and sour black vinegar sauce, giving it a refreshing taste and balancing the savory mackerel. Pempek’s distinctive taste and chewy texture make it a favorite among culinary lovers.
7. Laksan
Laksan is a dish made from mackerel which is similar to pempek but served with a thick red sauce. It is oval in shape and has a distinctive chewy texture.
Laksa sauce is made from a mixture of coconut milk and spices, giving it a spicy and savory taste that is different from other dishes. This dish is often associated with laksa, but laksan has a thicker and more typical Palembang taste.
8. Crackers
Kemplang are crackers made from mackerel or snakehead fish, then fried or baked until crispy. These crackers are often served as a complement to heavy dishes or as everyday snacks.
Kemplang has a savory taste and a crunchy texture, making it a snack that many people like. In addition, kemplang is also often brought as a souvenir by tourists visiting Palembang.
9. Kojo Layer Cake
Kue lapis kojo is a traditional cake from Palembang that has a natural green color from pandan and suji leaves. This cake has a soft texture with a distinctive sweet taste.
Usually, Kojo layer cake is served during celebrations or big days. This cake is made from a mixture of eggs, sugar, coconut milk, and flour, giving it a soft taste on the tongue and is often a favorite snack for the people of South Sumatra.
10. Eight Hour Cake
Eight-hour cake is a traditional cake that requires a long steaming time, which is around 8 hours, as the name suggests. The texture is dense but soft with the right sweetness.
This cake is usually served during celebrations or family events in South Sumatra. The consistent sweetness makes it suitable as a dessert.
The eight-hour cake also symbolizes patience and perseverance in the process of making it, in line with the cultural values held by the people of South Sumatra.
Each typical South Sumatran food has its own story and tradition that makes it more than just a dish. For tourists, tasting Typical West Sumatra Food is not just about enjoying the taste, but also feeling the local wisdom and cultural heritage behind it. Be sure to try at least some of these dishes if you have the chance to visit South Sumatra.