7 Typical East Javanese Culinary that You Must Try
East Java, known for its rich cultural heritage and stunning natural landscapes, is also home to diverse and flavourful culinary traditions. From savory dishes filled with spices to mouth-watering sweet snacks, East Javanese cuisine offers a variety of flavors and textures that reflect the history, geography and cultural influences of the region.
In this gastronomic journey, we will explore some of the most iconic and must-try Typical Foods of East Java that will definitely make you addicted.
1. Rawon
Rawon is a traditional Javanese beef soup renowned for its rich and aromatic broth, deep black color, and distinctive flavor. Made from a blend of spices, including keluak (black nut), shallots, garlic, ginger, galangal, and lemongrass, rawon boasts a complex and savory taste that is both comforting and indulgent.
The soup is typically served with tender pieces of beef, hard-boiled eggs, bean sprouts, and lime wedges, accompanied by steamed rice or lontong (compressed rice cakes). Rawon is a beloved dish in East Java and is often enjoyed as a hearty meal or special occasion treat.
2. Soto Ayam
Soto Ayam is a classic Indonesian chicken soup that is popular throughout the archipelago, including East Java. This aromatic and flavorful soup is made from a fragrant broth infused with spices such as turmeric, lemongrass, and kaffir lime leaves, giving it a vibrant yellow hue and a refreshing citrusy aroma.
Tender shredded chicken, vermicelli noodles, hard-boiled eggs, and a variety of garnishes such as fried shallots, celery leaves, and lime wedges are added to the soup, creating a harmonious blend of flavors and textures.
Soto Ayam is often enjoyed as a comforting meal for breakfast, lunch, or dinner and is a staple dish in East Javanese cuisine.
3. Rujak Cingur
Rujak Cingur is a unique and flavorful salad originating from East Java, known for its bold and contrasting flavors. The dish features a colorful assortment of fruits and vegetables, including green mangoes, cucumbers, water spinach, and bean sprouts, topped with slices of beef snout (cingur) and served with a tangy and spicy peanut sauce.
The sauce is made from ground peanuts, palm sugar, tamarind juice, chili peppers, and shrimp paste, creating a sweet, sour, and savory flavor profile that perfectly complements the fresh and crisp ingredients. Rujak Cingur is a popular street food dish in East Java and is often enjoyed as a refreshing snack or appetizer.
4. Lontong Balap
Lontong Balap is a beloved street food dish that originated in Surabaya, the capital city of East Java. This flavorful and hearty dish features a combination of compressed rice cakes (lontong), bean sprouts, fried tofu, and lentho (deep-fried mung bean cakes), topped with savory peanut sauce, sweet soy sauce, and crispy shallots.
The dish is often garnished with fresh celery leaves and served with a side of spicy sambal (chili paste) for an extra kick of heat. Lontong Balap is a popular snack or light meal enjoyed by locals and visitors alike, especially during festivals and special occasions.
5. Tahu Tek-Tek
Tahu Tek-Tek is a delicious and indulgent street food dish that showcases the versatility of tofu (tahu) in Indonesian cuisine. This savory and satisfying dish features deep-fried tofu cubes served with a generous topping of shredded vegetables, including cabbage, bean sprouts, and carrots, as well as boiled eggs and crispy krupuk (crackers).
The dish is typically drizzled with a tangy and spicy peanut sauce and sweet soy sauce, creating a harmonious blend of flavors and textures. Tahu Tek-Tek is a popular street food snack in East Java, often enjoyed as a quick and satisfying meal on the go.
6. Pecel
Pecel is a traditional Javanese salad that celebrates the vibrant flavors of fresh vegetables and aromatic peanut sauce. The dish features a colorful assortment of blanched vegetables, such as water spinach (kangkung), bean sprouts, long beans, and cucumber, served with a generous spoonful of creamy peanut sauce.
The sauce is made from ground peanuts, palm sugar, tamarind juice, chili peppers, and shrimp paste, creating a rich and flavorful dressing that coats the vegetables in a tantalizing layer of sweetness, tanginess, and spice. Pecel is a popular and nutritious dish in East Java, often enjoyed as a refreshing appetizer or side dish.
7. Bakso Malang
Bakso Malang is a specialty meatball soup originating from Malang, a city in East Java known for its culinary delights. This comforting and hearty soup features flavorful beef meatballs (bakso) served in a clear broth, accompanied by a variety of toppings such as noodles, tofu, fried shallots, and celery leaves.
The soup is often garnished with a drizzle of sweet soy sauce, chili sauce, and kecap manis (Indonesian sweet soy sauce) for added flavor. Bakso Malang is a popular street food dish in East Java and is enjoyed by locals and visitors alike for its comforting and satisfying taste.
Conclusion
In conclusion, East Java has a rich and diverse culinary heritage known for its bold flavors, bright colors and fragrant spices. From savory soups and salads to indulgent street snacks, Surabaya Specialty Food offers a variety of delicious dishes that are sure to please foodies and adventure lovers alike.
Whether you explore the vibrant Specialties of Surabaya or venture into rural Malang, be sure to savor the flavors of East Java and experience the culinary delights this dynamic region has to offer.