Find various culinary specialties of East Java with savory, sour, and spicy flavors that will tempt your taste buds. Starting from Soto Lamongan, Rujak Soto, to Nasi Tempong, all are here!
Indonesia is known for its rich culture and cuisine from each region, including East Java, the easternmost region of Java Island. This province has a variety of typical foods with unique flavors that are different from other regions.
As explained in the book Pengolahan Makanan Nusantara by Wahyuningsih, East Javanese cuisine tends to have savory, sour, and spicy flavors. One of the typical spices that are often used is shrimp paste and petis, which add depth of flavor to each dish.
In addition, the cooking methods also vary, such as steamed, grilled, steamed, and fried. The cooking process is carried out until the food is perfectly cooked, creating a delicious taste. Here are 15 Typical East Javanese Foods that you must try:
1. Soto Lamongan
Soto Lamongan may be familiar to your ears. This food is very popular and can be easily found in various regions. However, what distinguishes Soto Lamongan from other soto is the addition of koya, a savory powder made from shrimp crackers and garlic. This koya is what gives a unique savory taste, making Soto Lamongan even more delicious.
2. Salad with Soto
This typical Banyuwangi culinary is a combination of rujak petis and soto kuning. The taste of shrimp paste in rujak petis combines with the savory soto sauce, creating a unique combination of flavors. In addition to Rujak Soto, there is also a variation of rujak bakso in Madura, where rujak is served with typical Madura petis which tends to be saltier.
3. Mixed Tofu
This typical Surabaya food consists of lettuce, bean sprouts, rice cakes, yellow noodles, fried tofu, and cassava lentho covered in beef stock. The savory and spice-rich sauce makes Tahu Campur a food that is hard to resist.
4. Rawon
Rawon is one of the oldest foods in East Java, which has existed since the era of the Mataram Kingdom. The thick black sauce comes from kluwek, and the main ingredient is beef that is boiled until tender.
Rawon is usually served with bean sprouts, salted eggs, and shrimp crackers. Rawon Surabaya is the most famous, but every region in East Java has its own version of rawon.
5. Rujak Cingur
This typical Surabaya rujak uses cingur or cow’s nose as the main ingredient. In addition, this rujak also contains various vegetables and fruits such as krai, bean sprouts, kale, pineapple, and kedondong. Peanut sauce and shrimp paste processed in a large mortar provide a rich and distinctive taste.
6. Clover Salad
Pecel Semanggi uses clover leaves as its main ingredient, combined with bean sprouts and kale. The pecel sauce is made from a mixture of chili, lemongrass, starfruit, and a little Javanese sugar. This dish is usually served with uli crackers as a complement.
7. Rice cake with coconut milk
Kupang is a type of small shellfish commonly found on the coast of East Java. In this dish, lontong is combined with mussels, petis, and a special sauce. The resulting taste is very unique and delicious, perfect for those of you who want to try something new.
8. Duck Rice
East Java Duck Rice is known for its tender and savory duck meat. The process of marinating the meat in spices before frying produces a delicious taste without a fishy aroma. This dish is served with warm rice, chili paste, and fresh vegetables .
9. Tahu Tek
Tahu Tek is a simple yet delicious dish consisting of fried tofu, rice cake, bean sprouts, and pickles, then drizzled with peanut sauce and petis. The savory taste of the petis seasoning makes this food popular with many people.
10. Nasi Krawu
This dish originates from Gresik and is usually served on banana leaves. Nasi Krawu contains pieces of beef, offal, shrimp paste chili sauce, and serundeng. The rich taste of spices and the soft texture of the meat make it very appetizing.
11. Tempong Rice
Nasi Tempong originates from Banyuwangi and is famous for its spicy sambal. This dish consists of boiled vegetables, tofu, tempeh, fried foods, and jambal fish topped with peanut sauce or shrimp paste. This combination creates a biting yet satisfying taste.
12. Madurese Satay
Madura satay is different from other satays because its peanut sauce is sometimes mixed with candlenuts, giving it a richer taste. In addition, this satay is also grilled over charcoal with lime juice, adding a distinctive aroma and taste.
13. Pecel
Pecel is one of the legendary culinary delights from East Java. Each region, such as Madiun, Kediri, and Blitar, has its own version of pecel, which usually differs in the vegetable filling and side dishes. Pecel is often served with rempeyek or puli crackers.
14. Rice Tumpang
Sego Tumpang is a typical Kediri food that uses tumpang chili sauce as a sauce. Tumpang chili sauce is made from slightly stale tempeh, but cooked with delicious spices. This dish is usually served with warm rice and various side dishes.
15. Chicken Lodho
Lodho Ayam is a typical dish from Tulungagung which consists of chicken cooked with thick spices. There are two variants of lodho, namely with thin sauce and thick sauce. This dish is even more delicious when eaten with hot rice or tiwul. East Java has a lot of culinary delights that are rich in taste and history.
Each specialty food reflects the uniqueness of its region of origin, both in terms of ingredients, spices, and how to cook it. If you have the opportunity to visit East Java, don’t forget to try these 15 Typical Surabaya Food specialties. Experience the combination of savory, sour, and spicy flavors that will definitely make you want to taste them again!