Get to know the uniqueness and taste of 10 typical Palembang foods, from pempek to tempoyak, which present the richness of Nusantara culinary culture.
Palembang, the capital of South Sumatra Province, is not only famous for its iconic Ampera Bridge and Musi River, but also for its rich culinary delights that are sure to tempt your taste buds.
The richness of spices and local cultural influences make Palembang cuisine have an authentic and unforgettable taste.
Here are 10 Typical Palembang Foods that are worth trying, either when visiting this city or as inspiration for Indonesian cuisine.
1. Pempek
Pempek is a culinary icon of Palembang that has gone global. This food is made from a mixture of fish (usually mackerel or snakehead fish) and tapioca flour.
Pempek is served with sour, sweet, and spicy cuko sauce, creating an extraordinary combination of flavors. The types of pempek vary, from submarine pempek, lenjer, adaan, to grilled pempek.
The uniqueness of pempek lies in its chewy texture and the savory taste of the fish that blends perfectly with the fresh cuko sauce.
Sliced cucumber and yellow noodles are often added as a complement, providing a refreshing sensation in every mouthful.
2. Tekwan
Tekwan is a typical Palembang “fish meatball” served with a light but rich shrimp broth. Tekwan balls are made from a mixture of fish and tapioca flour, similar to pempek, but smaller in size.
This dish is usually served with rice vermicelli, wood ear mushrooms, sliced jicama, spring onions, and fried onions. Tekwan is perfect to enjoy as an appetizer or afternoon snack.
3. Patin Fish Soup
Pindang patin is a typical Palembang dish made from patin fish cooked in a clear, spicy broth. The broth contains spices such as turmeric, lemongrass, and bay leaves, giving it a fragrant aroma and fresh taste.
Catfish is chosen because its meat is soft and low in cholesterol. This dish is often served with warm white rice and mango chili sauce to add to the deliciousness.
4. Laksan
Laksan is a food made from dough similar to pempek, which is processed into a flat oval shape, then served with thick coconut milk sauce.
The sauce has a savory taste with a touch of spices such as turmeric and candlenut, making the laksan taste rich.
This dish is often found at special events of the Palembang community because it is considered a special dish.
5. Celor Noodles
Mie celor is a typical Palembang culinary dish consisting of thick yellow noodles served with thick coconut milk sauce.
The sauce is made from a mixture of coconut milk, shrimp stock, and spices such as garlic and ebi.
Toppings such as boiled shrimp, bean sprouts, and boiled eggs complete the dish, while a sprinkling of fried onions and celery leaves adds a tempting aroma. It tastes savory and slightly sweet, making it a perfect meal for breakfast or lunch.
6. Tempoyak
Tempoyak is a unique dish made from fermented durian. Ripe durian is mashed and mixed with salt, then fermented for several days to produce a distinctive sour taste.
Tempoyak is usually cooked with fish, such as patin fish or snakehead fish, with additional spices such as chili and onions.
The sour and savory taste of tempoyak provides a different sensation that is very much liked by the local people.
7. Bone Stew
Pindang tulang is another version of the typical Palembang pindang, but using beef bones as the main ingredient.
Beef bones are cooked in a pindang sauce seasoned with spices such as lemongrass, cinnamon, and cloves.
The result is a savory sauce with a strong spice flavor, while the meat attached to the bones becomes very tender. This dish is perfect enjoyed with warm rice and shrimp paste chili sauce.
8. Burgo
Burgo is a traditional Palembang food made from rice flour and sago flour dough which is made into thin sheets, then rolled and sliced like rolled pancakes.
Burgo is served with a savory and slightly spicy coconut milk sauce. Toppings such as shredded chicken and boiled eggs add to the deliciousness of this dish. Burgo is often enjoyed as breakfast by local people.
9. Diving
Celimpungan is similar to laksan, but is served in a smaller, rounder size. Celimpungan dough is also made from pempek, but the coconut milk sauce tends to be lighter and yellow in color.
This sauce is made from a mixture of coconut milk and spices such as turmeric, shallots, and coriander, creating a soft yet rich taste. This dish is often a mainstay menu at Palembang traditional events.
10. Crackers
Kemplang is a typical Palembang cracker made from a mixture of mackerel and tapioca flour. The manufacturing process is done by baking or frying until it produces crispy crackers.
Kemplang is usually served with cuko sauce as a complement, giving it a savory and slightly spicy taste. These crackers are suitable as snacks or as a complement to dishes such as pempek or pindang.
Palembang’s culinary richness reflects the diversity of its people’s culture and traditions. From the legendary pempek to the unique tempoyak, each dish has its own distinctive taste and story behind it.
Traveling to Palembang does not only mean enjoying its natural beauty and history, but also experiencing an unforgettable culinary sensation.
So, when you visit this city, make sure to try these ten mouth-watering Palembang specialties. For those interested in South Sumatra Specialties, these dishes provide a perfect introduction to the region’s unique flavors.
You will not only enjoy the taste but also the rich culture and culinary heritage of the archipelago.
