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Indonesian cuisine usually is basic and can be very hot. A typical meal is composed of rice but you can easily order noodles, soups and meat. When in Sumatra we highly recommend you taste some street food to fully experience local culture. Culinary specialties of Sumatra are well known all over the archipelago and in Malaysia. Here are our favourite traditional dishes from Sumatra.
Rendang is the iconic dish of Sumatra. Created by the Minangkabau tribe in West Sumatra, rendang is a spicy meat preparation. It is usually beef but you can find the same recipe with chicken, duck, mutton or even vegetarian options with tempeh or only vegetables. The color of the dish varies depending on the cooking time and you can find it wet or dry. However the main ingredients are always the same: coconut milk and spices. Rendang is a tasty traditional dish from Sumatra.
Nasi Padang is a dish from Padang city, West Sumatra. It is a delicious traditional dish from Sumatra composed of steamed white rice with curry, eggs and of course spices! It is always served with meat, rending beef or fried chicken for example. You can order Nasi padang from most local restaurants as it is a very popular dish across the country.
Perkedels are potato balls mixed with minced meat or fish and tofu. The name perkedel comes from Dutch frikadeller. These dumplings are a traditional dish from Sumatra.
Durian is the favourite fruit of Indonesians, they call it the king of fruits. Unlike in Bali or Java, in Sumatra you can find durian all year round. You can buy it in a market or simply along the road. You can have it raw or taste one of the many recipes served in restaurants: pastry, cocktail, ice cream, and smoothie. It is a typical specialty from Sumatra but careful the smell is very strong, so much so it is sometimes prohibited in hotels, airports or public transport.
In the many warungs (restaurants) you will see during your trip in Indonesia, you can order more culinary specialty from Sumatra: dendeng balado (hot crispy beef), daging asam padeh (sweet and sour meat), gulai sumsum (bone marrow curry), ikan bilis (dried anchovies mixed with vegetables), ikan pangek (fish and vegetables), daun ubi umbuk (cassava leaves cooked in coconut milk), petai goring (fried smelly beans), terong balado (spicy eggplant)… So many traditional dishes to taste in Sumatra!
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