Enjoy the unique and mouth-watering delights of South Sumatran cuisine, from the legendary pempek to traditional dishes with authentic flavors.
South Sumatra, especially Palembang, is known as a center of culinary richness that is full of flavors.
Not only pempek is the culinary icon of this region, but also various other typical foods that offer unique and different taste sensations.
Starting from fish-based dishes to sweet snacks, South Sumatra has a variety of mouth-watering dishes. Here are 10 Typical South Sumatran Foods that you must try when visiting South Sumatra.
1. Model
Model is one of the famous pempek variations in Palembang. This dish is served with a savory shrimp broth, different from ordinary pempek which uses cuko.
The model is made from pempek dough filled with tofu, then cooked until done. This dish is usually served with rice vermicelli, cucumber slices, and sprinkled with shrimp, creating a combination of flavors that pamper the tongue.
There are two types of models that can be tried: the fish model which uses fish as the basic ingredient and the gendum model which is made from wheat flour.
2. Celor Noodles
Mie Celor is a noodle dish served with thick coconut milk sauce mixed with shrimp stock. This dish uses thick noodles that resemble udon, topped with bean sprouts, sliced boiled egg, and a sprinkling of fried onions.
Its savory and creamy taste makes Mie Celor suitable to be enjoyed as breakfast or lunch. This dish is a favorite of local people and tourists who are looking for the unique taste of Palembang.
3. 8 Hour Cake
As a traditional cake from Palembang, Kue 8 Jam gets its name from the cooking process that takes eight hours.
Made from a mixture of duck eggs, sugar, butter, and condensed milk, this cake has a soft texture with a rich sweet taste.
Usually, Kue 8 Jam is served on special occasions such as Eid or weddings, making it a symbol of luxury in Palembang culinary tradition.
4. Tempoyak Fried Rice
This specialty dish combines patin fish with tempoyak, fermented durian flesh that has a distinctive sour taste.
Brengkes Tempoyak is cooked with strong spices, creating a unique taste sensation that can only be found in South Sumatra.
This dish is often eaten with warm white rice, providing a different yet delicious culinary experience.
5. Salted fish
Pindang is a soup dish with a refreshing sweet and sour spicy broth. Usually using main ingredients such as patin fish, snakehead fish, or ribs, Pindang is one of the most sought-after specialties in Palembang.
This dish is easy to find in many food stalls, including famous stalls such as Warung Mbok War which is located on a boat near Ampera Bridge. Warm catfish pindang served with white rice is the perfect choice for lunch.
6. HAR Martabak
Martabak HAR is a typical Palembang martabak that is different from the usual egg martabak. This dish is served with thick curry sauce made from a mixture of potatoes and meat.
The martabak skin wraps the eggs that are not mixed with the dough, making the texture crispier.
The curry sauce is poured directly onto the martabak, giving it a strong and rich spice flavor. Martabak HAR is easily found in various branches in Palembang, making it one of the must-try dishes.
7. Laksan
Laksan is a processed product made from boiled pempek lenjer, then served with a savory coconut milk sauce. Its chewy texture and thick coconut milk sauce make this dish often referred to as “Palembang’s version of vegetable lontong”.
Laksan is often served as a breakfast menu, offering a distinctive combination of fish flavors with tempting spices.
8. Relax
Lenggang is a variant of pempek combined with eggs, then baked to produce a soft texture and savory taste.
This dish is usually served with cuko, a typical Palembang sauce that is sweet and sour. Lenggang can be enjoyed as a light snack or a practical lunch menu.
Besides being baked, lenggang can also be fried, providing a variation of flavors that are no less delicious.
9. Diving
Celimpungan is a small round food that is similar to pempek, but served with thick yellow coconut milk sauce.
The yellow color of the sauce comes from turmeric, giving it a distinctive savory taste.
This dish is usually eaten as a breakfast menu in Palembang, creating a unique and authentic culinary experience.
10. Burgo
Burgo is a typical Palembang food made from a mixture of rice flour and sago flour, then rolled and sliced thinly. This dish is served with a simple yet richly flavored coconut milk sauce.
The soft texture of burgo blends perfectly with the coconut milk sauce, making it a popular breakfast dish among locals.
South Sumatra is not only famous for pempek as its culinary icon, but also has a variety of other typical foods that offer unique and authentic flavors.
From traditional dishes such as Model and Mie Celor to sweet snacks such as Kue 8 Jam, each dish reflects the rich culture and culinary creativity of its people.
If you visit South Sumatra, don’t forget to try these 10 typical foods to experience the true charm of culinary delights.
Exploring these dishes is one of the must-try Things to do in Palembang, as every bite will bring you closer to the beauty and diversity of South Sumatran traditions.
