Explore the deliciousness of Sundanese cuisine, from Nasi Liwet to Empal Gepuk. Discover the rich and mouth-watering authentic flavors of these West Javanese specialties.
Sunda, located in the western part of Java Island, is known not only for its rich culture and traditions, but also for its delicious culinary delights. Sundanese food has a light, fresh taste, and is often dominated by fresh vegetables known as lalapan.
Not only that, spicy chili sauce and a variety of delicious side dishes make Sundanese food popular in various parts of Indonesia. Here are some Sundanese Foods that are famously delicious and you must try them.
1. Liwet Rice
Nasi Liwet is one of the most popular Sundanese foods, especially in the Solo and Bandung areas. This rice is cooked with coconut milk, spices, and bay leaves, resulting in savory and fragrant rice.
Nasi liwet is usually served with side dishes such as fried chicken, salted fish, tofu, tempeh, and fresh vegetables. Don’t forget, chili paste as a complement makes nasi liwet a perfect dish.
In some places, liwet rice is served in large portions and eaten together, which is known as liwetan. This tradition makes liwet rice a symbol of togetherness and family in Sundanese society.
2. Maranggi Satay
Sate Maranggi is a Sundanese specialty that is famous for its unique taste. This satay comes from the Purwakarta area and is different from satay in general which is served with peanut sauce.
Sate Maranggi has a special seasoning consisting of sweet soy sauce, shallots, garlic, and spices, so it tastes sweeter and savory. The meat used can be beef, goat, or chicken.
Sate Maranggi is usually served with pickles, chili sauce, and lontong or rice. The taste of tender meat combined with sweet spices that seep into the meat makes Sate Maranggi an unforgettable dish for sate lovers.
3. Lotek
Lotek is a Sundanese specialty similar to gado-gado, but with a different peanut sauce. Lotek consists of fresh vegetables such as long beans, bean sprouts, kale, and cabbage that are boiled, then doused with a rich peanut sauce.
The peanut sauce is made from peanuts, brown sugar, galangal, and tamarind, giving it a sweet, savory, and slightly spicy taste.
Lotek is usually served with lontong or ketupat, and is complemented with crackers. The fresh taste of vegetables combined with delicious peanut sauce makes lotek one of the popular foods among Sundanese people.
4. Karedok
If you like healthy and fresh food, then Karedok is the right choice. Karedok is a typical Sundanese food made from raw vegetables such as long beans, bean sprouts, cabbage, cucumber, and eggplant, which are doused with delicious peanut sauce.
Unlike lotek which uses boiled vegetables, karedok only uses raw vegetables, so the fresh taste of the vegetables is very pronounced.
The peanut sauce used in karedok is made from peanuts, brown sugar, tamarind, galangal, and chili, which gives it a combination of spicy, sweet, and savory flavors. Karedok is a perfect example of Sundanese food that is healthy and nutritious, yet delicious.
5. Steamed Rice
Nasi Timbel is a typical Sundanese dish consisting of rice wrapped in banana leaves and steamed. Nasi timbel has a distinctive aroma of fragrant banana leaves and a texture that is more sticky than regular rice.
This dish is usually served with various side dishes such as fried chicken, salted fish, tofu, tempeh, chili sauce, and fresh vegetables.
One of the unique things about nasi timbel is its simplicity, yet it still provides a rich and satisfying taste.
Simple side dishes combined with fragrant nasi timbel create a perfect combination, so this dish is often the main choice for special occasions or just lunch with the family.
6. Steamed Fish
Pepes Fish is a typical Sundanese food that is very famous and loved by Indonesian people. Pepes is a cooking technique by wrapping food in banana leaves, then steaming or grilling.
The fish used are usually carp, tilapia, or mackerel, which are seasoned with spices such as garlic, shallots, chilies, basil, and bay leaves.
Fish pepes has a savory and fragrant taste, with soft fish meat and perfectly absorbed spices. In addition to fish, pepes can also be made with other ingredients such as tofu, chicken, or mushrooms, all of which are cooked with the same technique and spices.
7. Soto Bandung
Soto Bandung is a variation of soto that is typical of the Sunda region, especially from the city of Bandung. This soto has a clear broth that is light but rich in flavor, made from beef broth cooked with simple spices such as garlic, ginger, and bay leaves.
Soto Bandung is served with pieces of beef, radish, fried soybeans, and added with sliced spring onions and fried onions.
fresh and savory taste of Soto Bandung is perfect to enjoy when the air is cool or as a lunch dish. Its clear broth makes it different from other sotos that use coconut milk or thicker spices.
8. Sumedang Tofu
Sumedang Tofu is one of the typical Sundanese snacks that is very popular in various regions. This tofu comes from Sumedang, a small town in West Java, and is famous for its crispy outer texture and soft inside. Sumedang Tofu is usually enjoyed as a snack or side dish with rice.
Sumedang tofu is best eaten while still warm, accompanied by cayenne pepper or chili sauce. Although it looks simple, the deliciousness of this tofu makes it one of the favorite souvenirs from West Java.
9. Spicy Beef Stew
Empal Gepuk is a Sundanese specialty made from beef that is pounded until tender, then cooked with soy sauce and spices. This processing produces tender meat with a sweet, savory, and slightly spicy taste. Empal gepuk is often served as a side dish with nasi timbel or nasi liwet.
Empal gepuk is also often a mainstay dish at important events or celebrations in Sundanese society. The taste of the tender meat and rich spices make this dish very popular with many people.
10. Hayam’s Bakakak
Bakakak Hayam is a Sundanese roast chicken dish that is usually served at big events or celebrations.
The chicken used is free-range chicken, which is roasted with spices such as shallots, garlic, ginger, coriander, and brown sugar. This roasting process produces a brownish chicken with a sweet, savory, and slightly spicy taste.
Bakakak Hayam is served whole, so it is often a symbol of togetherness at meal times with family or friends. This dish is also often served with liwet rice or timbel rice.
Conclusion
Sundanese cuisine is not only famous for its delicious taste, but also for the simplicity and naturalness of its ingredients.
Many Sundanese dishes utilize fresh vegetables, spices, and traditional cooking methods, making these dishes healthy and appetizing.
From nasi liwet to empal gepuk, every West Javanese Food has a richness of flavor that reflects the rich and humble culture and traditions of the Sundanese people.
If you visit West Java, don’t miss the chance to taste these famously delicious Sundanese foods. Their authentic and varied flavors will make your culinary experience in the land of Pasundan even more memorable.
