Discover the rich flavors of typical Sundanese food, offering a unique culinary experience you must try in Indonesia.
Indonesia has a very diverse culinary wealth, and each region offers unique flavors. One culinary tradition that should not be missed is Sundanese food.
The Sunda region covers West Java, Banten, and part of Jakarta, where traditional cuisine is known to have a light, fresh taste and is rich in spices.
If you are a culinary lover, tasting Sundanese food is an experience that should not be missed. Here are some Sundanese Foods that you must try when visiting West Java or Sundanese restaurants anywhere.
1. Liwet Rice
Nasi liwet is one of the most popular Sundanese specialties. This rice is cooked with coconut milk, bay leaves, and lemongrass, resulting in a very fragrant and savory aroma and taste.
Usually, nasi liwet is served with side dishes such as fried chicken, tofu, tempeh, salted fish, and chili paste and fresh vegetables.
The combination of the savory taste of rice and side dishes, plus the freshness of the vegetables, makes this dish very delicious and suitable to be eaten with family or friends.
One of the interesting traditions in enjoying nasi liwet is the way it is served, which is often done in a “liwetan” manner, namely rice and side dishes are served on banana leaves and eaten together. This tradition adds to the excitement and togetherness when eating.
2. Karedok
Karedok is a typical Sundanese dish that is similar to gado-gado, but what makes it different is that the ingredients used in karedok are not cooked or boiled first.
Karedok consists of raw vegetables such as long beans, cabbage, bean sprouts, cucumbers, and basil leaves, which are then doused with savory and spicy peanut sauce. The peanut sauce in karedok has a fresh taste because it is added with kencur, garlic, and chili.
This food is not only delicious, but also healthy because it is rich in fiber and vitamins from its raw vegetables. Karedok is suitable for those of you who are looking for a light but nutritious traditional food.
3. Steamed Rice
Nasi timbel is one of the typical Sundanese foods that you must try if you visit West Java. Nasi timbel is rice wrapped in banana leaves and then steamed, so that this rice has a distinctive banana leaf aroma and gives a more delicious taste. Nasi timbel is usually served with various side dishes such as fried chicken, tofu, tempeh, salted fish, and chili sauce and fresh vegetables.
The combination of soft and fragrant nasi timbel with savory side dishes makes it a dish that is loved by many people, both locals and tourists.
4. Maranggi Satay
Sate maranggi is one of the most famous Sundanese culinary specialties, especially from the Purwakarta region.
This satay is made from beef or goat meat processed with special spices consisting of soy sauce, garlic, ginger, and other spices. After being seasoned, the meat is then grilled until cooked and fragrant.
What makes sate maranggi different from other satay is the marinade that gives it a savory and sweet taste that seeps into the meat.
Usually, this satay is served with rice, lontong, or grilled sticky rice, as well as tomato sauce and pickles. For those of you who like satay with a richer and more spicy flavor, sate maranggi is the perfect choice.
5. Sumedang Tofu
Sumedang Tofu is a typical Sundanese snack originating from the Sumedang area, West Java. This tofu is famous for its texture which is crispy on the outside but soft on the inside.
Sumedang tofu is usually served hot and eaten with cayenne pepper as an accompaniment, providing a spicy sensation that whets the appetite.
Simply put, Sumedang tofu is a food that can be enjoyed at any time, either as a snack or a side dish to accompany the main meal. Its savory taste and unique texture make it a favorite of many people.
6. Lotek
Lotek is a variant of gado-gado originating from Sunda. This food consists of various boiled vegetables such as spinach, long beans, bean sprouts, and potatoes, which are then doused with a distinctive peanut sauce.
The peanut sauce in lotek has a sweet, savory, and slightly spicy taste, and is made with the addition of kencur which gives a fresh aroma.
Lotek is usually served with lontong or white rice, making it a filling and delicious dish. If you like vegetables served with rich peanut sauce, lotek is the right choice.
7. Steamed Fish
Pepes fish is one of Sundanese specialties that uses traditional cooking techniques by wrapping fish with spices in banana leaves, then steaming or grilling.
Fish commonly used for pepes are carp, tilapia, or mujair fish. The spices used consist of a mixture of shallots, garlic, chilies, turmeric, candlenuts, and other spices.
The process of processing with banana leaves makes the aroma and taste of the spices perfectly penetrate the fish, creating a delicious and rich taste of spices. Fish pepes is usually served with warm rice and fresh vegetables, and chili sauce as a complement.
8. Shrimp Paste Sambal
It would be incomplete to discuss Sundanese food without mentioning chili paste. This chili sauce is a mandatory accompaniment to almost every Sundanese dish.
Made from a mixture of chilies, shrimp paste, tomatoes, shallots, and garlic, chili paste provides a spicy and savory taste that can enhance the enjoyment of any food.
Sambal terasi is best eaten with warm rice, fried fish, grilled chicken, tofu, tempeh, and of course fresh vegetables such as cucumber, basil, and lettuce. For spicy lovers, sambal terasi is a complement that should not be missed.
9. Sour Vegetables
fresh sour taste. Made from various types of vegetables such as long beans, corn, chayote, and melinjo, which are cooked in a sour sauce from tamarind. In addition to being sour, this vegetable also has a sweet and savory taste from the mixture of spices used.
Sayur asem is usually served as a complement to rice and side dishes such as salted fish, fried tempeh, or grilled chicken. Its freshness makes this dish very suitable to be eaten at lunch, especially on a hot day.
Conclusion
fresh, savory, and delicious flavors, with a blend of natural ingredients and distinctive spices. From savory liwet rice to richly flavored fish pepes, each Sundanese dish has its own uniqueness that is worth trying.
If you visit West Java or find a Sundanese restaurant around you, be sure to try some of the Typical West Java Food mentioned above to experience the incredible richness of Indonesian cuisine.
