Semarang offers a variety of delicious culinary specialties, from leker cakes to tahu pong, which are a must-try to enjoy the unique taste of the Atlas City.
Semarang, the capital of Central Java Province, is known as a city with many historical and cultural tourist attractions, but it is also no less famous for its variety of delicious culinary delights.
The culinary diversity in Semarang reflects the blend of cultures that have existed in this city, ranging from Chinese, Javanese, to Dutch influences. On this culinary journey, you will find a variety of dishes rich in flavor, from heavy meals that will rock your tongue to filling snacks.
For those of you visiting Semarang, here are 10 typical Semarang culinary delights that you must try to experience the deliciousness and uniqueness of their flavors.
1. Leker Cake
Kue Leker is one of the legendary snacks that is famous in Semarang. This cake can be easily found in various corners of the city, especially in traditional markets or roadsides.
The wheat flour dough that is baked thinly on a hot iron mold gives a crispy texture on the outside, while the inside remains soft and chewy. Kue leker is usually filled with various sweet and savory toppings, such as chocolate, cheese, nuts, or bananas.
The savory and sweet flavors that combine make it a perfect snack choice for breakfast or as a coffee companion in the afternoon.
If you’re exploring Things to do in Semarang, tasting this delicious local snack is a must to complete your culinary adventure in the city. With its affordable price, kue leker is a favorite snack among all groups, from children to adults.
2. Soto Bangkong
Soto Bangkong is a typical Semarang culinary that should not be missed. This soto is famous for its broth that is rich in spices and savory, as well as fresh ingredients used in its presentation.
Usually, this soto uses chicken or beef that is cooked for a long time so that the broth becomes very thick and savory. Soto Bangkong is served with ketupat or white rice, complemented with perkedel, boiled eggs, and chili sauce as a complement.
The name Soto Bangkong itself is taken from the area where this soto was first sold, namely Bangkong, which is in Semarang. Here, you can taste a blend of spices that are so distinctive and delicious, making it a favorite dish of local residents for breakfast or dinner.
3. Tahu Gimbal
Tahu Gimbal is a typical Semarang food consisting of fried tofu pieces, lontong, and gimbal (crispy fried shrimp fritters). This tahu gimbal is doused with thick and spicy peanut sauce, which gives it a very delicious and appetizing taste.
Although simple, tahu gimbal is a very popular food, especially in street stalls or street vendors around Semarang. The combination of savory, spicy, and slightly sweet flavors from the peanut sauce makes tahu gimbal the perfect food as an afternoon snack or even a filling lunch menu.
Its distinctive taste and easy to find make tahu gimbal the choice of many visitors who want to enjoy the local taste of Semarang.
4. Kopyok Noodles
Mie Kopyok is a typical noodle dish from Semarang that is quite unique. The turmeric noodles used have a distinctive yellow color and are boiled to perfection, then served with sliced rice cakes, tofu, tempeh, and a few fresh vegetables.
The specialty of Mie Kopyok is its clear broth that remains rich in flavor, even without the presence of overly strong spices. Usually, kopyok noodles are served with chili sauce or pickles as a complement.
The clear yet savory broth makes it a favorite dish for many, whether as a warming breakfast or a refreshing lunch. In the city of Semarang, kopyok noodles are one of the most popular local food choices.
5. Babat Gongso
Babat Gongso is a typical dish that uses the main ingredient of beef tripe (cow’s stomach) cooked with special spices that are rich in flavor. Babat gongso is served with a thick sauce and a savory taste, and a little spicy from chili and sweet soy sauce.
The spices used to cook babat gongso are very diverse, and are usually cooked for a long time to get a soft tripe texture and spices that are perfectly absorbed.
This dish is often chosen for lunch or dinner by Semarang residents and is often found in street stalls that serve local specialties. Babat gongso is served with white rice, chili sauce, and fresh vegetables as a complement, creating a perfect blend of flavors.
6. Wingko Babat
Wingko Babat is a typical Semarang dessert that is famous throughout Indonesia. This cake is made from grated coconut, glutinous rice flour, and sugar, which is baked into a chewy cake with a slightly crispy texture on the outside.
Wingko Babat has the right sweetness and is perfect as a souvenir for tourists visiting Semarang. In addition to the original variant, you can also find Wingko Babat with various additional flavors such as chocolate, peanuts, or durian, which provide a more diverse taste. This cake can last a long time, so it is often bought as a typical Semarang souvenir.
7. Semarang Spring Rolls
Lumpia Semarang is a legendary culinary that has become an icon of the city of Semarang. Unlike lumpia in general, Lumpia Semarang has a filling made from bamboo shoots, eggs, chicken or shrimp seasoned with special spices.
The thin spring roll skin dough is fried until crispy, resulting in a perfect blend of flavors between the savory filling and the crispy spring roll skin.
These spring rolls are usually served with a sweet sauce that adds flavor to each bite. Semarang spring rolls are also often used as souvenirs by tourists visiting this city, because of their deliciousness and uniqueness.
8. Milkfish in Presto
Bandeng Presto is a typical Semarang dish made from milkfish cooked using a pressure cooker technique, so that the bones become soft and edible. This pressure-cooked milkfish is usually fried until the skin is crispy and served with chili sauce or white rice.
The savory taste with the soft texture of the fish makes Presto Milkfish very popular with many people, especially those who like fish but are reluctant to eat the bones.
This dish is also a typical Semarang souvenir that is much sought after by tourists. Milkfish Presto is the perfect choice for family meals or dining with friends.
9. Ganjel Rail Bread
Ganjel Rel Bread is a typical Semarang bread that has a unique shape and distinctive taste. Made from flour dough filled with grated coconut and brown sugar, this bread is baked until it gives off an appetizing aroma.
Although it looks simple, this ganjel rel bread has a slightly hard texture on the outside but remains soft on the inside, providing a pleasant eating experience.
Usually, this bread is served with tea or coffee as a breakfast companion. The uniqueness of its shape and taste makes Ganjel Rel bread a very popular traditional snack in Semarang.
10. Tahu Pong
Tahu Pong is fried tofu that has a thin and crispy skin on the outside, but is soft on the inside. This tofu is usually served with thick peanut sauce and sweet soy sauce, and can be added with sliced chilies or fresh vegetables as a complement.
The savory taste of the tofu and peanut sauce provide a delicious combination of flavors, making it a perfect snack to accompany your leisure time. Tahu pong is often found in street food stalls in Semarang, and is a choice of snack that is both filling and appetizing.
Semarang is a city rich in culinary with various delicious specialties. Don’t forget to try Lumpia Semarang, Babat Gongso, Bandeng Presto, Mie Kopyok, and Wingko Babat, each of which has its own unique taste and story.
You can find these culinary delights in traditional stalls or Semarang souvenir shops spread throughout the city.
If you’re a fan of exploring local cuisines, don’t miss the chance to try Typical Solo Food, known for its rich flavors and unique culinary heritage, offering an unforgettable dining experience.
To get the perfect culinary experience, make sure you explore the various eateries in Semarang and enjoy the deliciousness of each signature dish offered. Hopefully, this article will inspire you to explore the unforgettable culinary riches of Semarang!