Try These Culinary Delights from East Java!

“Different regions carry different signature dishes!” So does East Java province, which is home to various delicious culinary delights. Cuisine from East Java is known for its strong spices and salty, savory, and spicy flavors. If you have the opportunity to vacation in East Java, trying its cuisine is a must.

Let’s check out some of the typical East Javanese cuisines you can try when you go there!

Soto Lamongan

First, you must try Soto Lamongan. This East Javanese broth soup may seem similar to other sotos at first glance. However, what makes it different is the added koya. Koya is made from garlic and shrimp crackers that are finely ground until they become powder. Koya enhances the flavor of the soto—making it even more savory and delicious. In a bowl of Soto Lamongan, you will typically find vermicelli, sliced ​​hard-boiled eggs, cabbage, tomatoes, shredded chicken meat, and sliced ​​green onions. Then, it is served with yellow-colored soto broth. Afterwards, it is sprinkled with koya and fried shallots. It will be even more lovely with a squeeze of lime juice and sambal. As the name suggests, this soto originates from Lamongan.

Sego Tempong

Second, you should not miss trying a dish called Sego Tempong. The name of this dish is very unique: when translated into the Osing language (Banyuwangi local language), “tempong” means to slap. It is believed that this naming comes from the extremely spicy sambal accompanying the rice, which makes you feel like being slapped when eating it. Sego Tempong is usually served with boiled vegetables such as king’s salad, cabbage, and spinach. It is accompanied by protein options such as jambal fish, fried chicken, fried tempeh, tofu, and others. For the sambal, you have peanut sambal with galangal and spicy shrimp paste sambal. This spicy dish originates from Banyuwangi City!

Tahu Tek

Third, tasty Tahu Tek poured with petis sauce made from shrimp paste. The name Tahu Tek originates from the vendor, who uses scissors to cut the ingredients of Tahu Tek, such as rice cakes and tofu. After done cutting, the vendor continues to make a sound with the scissors, which sounds like tek…tek…tek. That is why it is named Tahu Tek. Typically, a plate of Tahu Tek consists of half-cooked fried tofu and small pieces of rice cakes. Then, it is added with other complementary ingredients such as cucumber slices, bean sprouts, fried potatoes, and poured with petis sauce. Crackers and fried shallots are sprinkled on top to complete the dish. This cuisine originates from Surabaya.

Lontong Kupang

Fourth, equally not to be missed is Lontong Kupang. Have you heard of this dish? Maybe only a few of you have, especially if you are not a local of East Java province! Well, according to information from Liputan6 web page, Lontong Kupang is widely sold in regions such as Pasuruan, Surabaya, and Sidoarjo. Lontong Kupang is generally made from a main ingredient called white kupang (Corbula faba H.)—a type of sea creature that resembles clams but is much smaller, only about the size of soybeans or rice grains. It is served with lentho—fried patties made from cowpeas or mung beans—and rice cakes, then poured with petis sauce and sprinkled with a squeeze of lime juice.

Other than that, you can also try other East Javanese cuisines such as Ledre, Sego Boranan, Gethuk Pisang, Bebek Sinjay, Sate Madura, Nasi Krawu, Lodho Ayam, Bakso Malang, Pecel, Lontong Balap, Rujak Cingur, Rujak Soto, and others.

Try not to miss them while on vacation in East Java province. To ensure you have a safe travel there, protect yourself with Travel Insurance from MSIG Indonesia.

Having insurance will help reduce costs in case of risks occurring during the trip, compensate for lost items, flight delays, and more. You are covered as long as the risks are not included in the exclusion clause and meet the conditions stated in your insurance policy.

Purchase Travel Insurance from MSIG Indonesia to protect you from the moment you leave home until you return home. Have a great vacation and enjoy the cuisines. Hope you love them!