Discover the deliciousness of Lampung’s signature dishes that you must try, with a unique and authentic spice flavor.
Lampung, a province located at the southern tip of Sumatra Island, is not only known for its natural beauty and tourist destinations such as exotic beaches and stunning mountains, but also for its culinary riches.
Lampung’s typical food has a strong taste, influenced by the abundance of spices, as well as the cultural diversity of the native population and immigrants.
For those of you who want to explore typical Indonesian cuisine, here are some Typical Lampung Foods that you must try when visiting this area.
1. Flute
One of the most iconic foods from Lampung is seruit, which is also a mandatory dish at traditional events and family gatherings. Seruit is a fish-based dish, usually river fish such as baung fish or belida fish, which is fried or grilled.
This fish is then mixed with shrimp paste chili sauce, tempoyak (fermented durian), and young mango or fresh vegetables.
Seruit has a distinctive spicy, savory, and sour taste, depending on the spices used. This dish is usually eaten with warm rice and other accompaniments, such as vegetables and fresh vegetables.
The use of tempoyak in seruit makes the taste very unique and different from other fish dishes in Indonesia.
2. Tempoyak
Tempoyak is a fermented durian fruit that has a sour and distinctive taste. Tempoyak can be used as a seasoning or sauce to accompany other foods. Usually, tempoyak is used in harpoon dishes or as a complement to chili sauce.
For those of you who like durian, tempoyak is a dish that you must try because it offers a different taste sensation.
In Lampung, tempoyak is often cooked with patin fish or other fish. The combination of savory fish and sour tempoyak creates a unique and interesting harmony of flavors.
Although the taste may be strange to some people, once you get used to it, tempoyak can become one of your favorite seasonings.
3. Taboh Curry
Gulai Taboh is one of Lampung’s traditional dishes which is influenced by Malay culture. This dish is a coconut curry served with fish, either sea fish or freshwater fish, such as mackerel, patin, or snakehead fish.
The spices used in this curry consist of a mixture of special spices, such as galangal, turmeric, ginger, chilies, and onions.
The characteristic of taboh curry is its savory and thick taste due to the abundant use of coconut milk. Usually, goulash taboh is also equipped with pieces of vegetables such as long beans, chayote or eggplant.
This taboh curry is usually served at large events or family gatherings and is very delicious eaten with warm white rice.
4. Lampung Pindang
Pindang is one of the popular dishes in Sumatra, including Lampung. Pindang Lampung has a distinctive taste with a combination of spicy, sour, and fresh flavors.
The main ingredient of pindang is usually patin fish or carp cooked in a spiced broth rich in spices. Some spices that are often used in pindang include lemongrass, galangal, lime leaves, chilies, and tomatoes.
What distinguishes Lampung pindang from pindang in other regions is the addition of tempoyak or pineapple to give a more dominant fresh sour taste. Lampung pindang is usually served with white rice, and its rich broth makes it suitable for lunch or dinner.
5. Lampung Pempek
Although pempek is better known as a typical Palembang food, Lampung also has pempek that is no less delicious.
Pempek Lampung is made from a mixture of fish and sago flour, with a shape and taste similar to pempek Palembang. This pempek is served with cuko, a spicy sweet and sour sauce, which gives a delicious sensation when eaten.
There are many variations of pempek in Lampung, ranging from submarine pempek, lenjer, to adaan. Lampung Pempek is very suitable as a snack or filling light meal, and is often found in various stalls or restaurants that sell typical Lampung food.
6. Sticky Rice with Engkak
For those of you who like sweet foods, engkak ketan is one of the traditional cakes typical of Lampung that must be tasted.
Engkak ketan is made from basic ingredients of glutinous rice flour, coconut milk, sugar, and eggs that are baked until cooked. This cake has a soft and chewy texture with a legit sweet taste.
Sticky rice engkak is usually served in small pieces and is perfect as a snack or dessert after a big meal. This cake is often found at important events such as weddings or holidays.
7. Legit Layer Cake
Apart from sticky rice engkak, Lampung is also famous for its lapis legit cake, a type of cake that is very popular in Indonesia.
This cake is made from a mixture of wheat flour, eggs, sugar and butter which is baked in stages to form thin layers. Each layer is baked individually, which results in a tender texture and incredibly rich flavor.
Legit layer cake is often used as a typical Lampung souvenir, and is one of the cakes that is loved by many people because of its deliciousness. Its sweet taste and soft texture make it suitable to be enjoyed with tea or coffee.
8. Banana Chips
It would be incomplete to discuss Lampung’s culinary specialties without mentioning banana chips. Lampung is very famous as a producer of bananas, and banana chips are one of the typical snacks of this region.
Banana chips are made from thin slices of bananas that are fried until crispy, then added with various flavors such as sweet, salty, chocolate, or cheese.
Lampung banana chips are very popular as souvenirs and are easy to find in various souvenir shops. Besides its delicious taste, banana chips also last a long time, making them perfect as a snack when traveling.
9. Sony Meatballs
If you are a fan of meatballs, don’t miss the opportunity to try Bakso Sony when visiting Lampung. Bakso Sony is one of the legendary culinary delights in Lampung which is famous for its chewy meatball texture and strong beef flavor.
These meatballs are usually served with savory beef broth, noodles, vermicelli and additional fried dumplings.
Bakso Sony has become a culinary icon of Lampung, and is very easy to find in various branches spread across the city of Bandar Lampung. The delicious taste of the meatballs and the filling portions make Bakso Sony a favorite for many people.
Conclusion
Lampung has a very diverse culinary wealth, ranging from savory fish dishes such as seruit and pindang to sweet snacks such as engkak ketan and banana chips. Each typical Lampung food has a distinctive taste, influenced by the use of local spices and natural ingredients.
If you have the opportunity to visit Lampung, make sure to try some of these Acehnese Specialties so you can experience the authentic deliciousness of traditional cuisine. Enjoy every bite, and feel the unique sensation of the unforgettable taste of Acehnese Specialties.