"A Gastronomic Journey Awaits: Prepare Your Taste Buds for Surabaya's Signature Flavors!"
Photo by Peter Theofilus on Unsplash
Surabaya boasts a diverse and captivating culinary scene that is truly worth exploring. The food of this "City of Heroes" is renowned for its distinct and authentic flavors, guaranteed to delight and spoil the palate of any food enthusiast. Here is an essential list of the culinary destinations you must experience in Surabaya.
1. Soto Ambengan Pak Sadi Asli
For those who crave a comforting bowl of soto (traditional Indonesian soup) in Surabaya, Soto Ambengan Pak Sadi Asli is an excellent choice for both lunch and dinner. This establishment is famous for its broth, which is flavorful and uniquely distinctive. It is served with shredded chicken, glass noodles, sliced egg, celery and shallots, and fried onions. The taste is further elevated and becomes even fresher with a squeeze of lime and a dash of chili sauce. Don't forget to enjoy it with warm rice and shrimp crackers—hmmm, yummy! Soto Ambengan Pak Sadi Asli is located at Jalan Ambengan No.3A, Genteng.
Photo source: Qraved
2. Nasi Campur Pojok Tambak Bayan
Located at Jalan Pasar Besar Wetan no.5, Bubutan, this culinary favorite is a popular dining spot in Surabaya. It is well-known for its nasi rames or nasi campur (mixed rice) which is served with a variety of menu options, including Nasi Campur (Mixed Rice), Nasi Campur Empal (Mixed Rice with Beef), Nasi Campur Ayam (Mixed Rice with Chicken), Nasi Pecel (Rice with Peanut Sauce Salad), Nasi Pecel Empal (Rice with Peanut Sauce Salad and Beef), Nasi Rawon (Black Beef Soup with Rice), Lontong Lodeh (Rice Cake with Vegetable Curry), and many more.
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Many people become addicted to the taste of the food here, especially chili lovers who will certainly appreciate the sambal. Its spiciness truly packs a punch! The prices for food and drinks here range from IDR 50,000 to IDR 100,000 per person.
3. Lontong Balap Pak Gendut
Lontong Balap is one of Surabaya's signature dishes that is a must-try. This dish consists of lontong (rice cake), tahu gembos (puffed tofu) fried until crispy brown, lentho (a fried patty made from cowpea), a generous topping of bean sprouts, all drenched in a savory sauce made from shrimp broth and garlic, and finally sprinkled with fried onions.
Photo source: KSM Tour
Lontong Balap Pak Gendut is a legendary culinary spot that you should not miss. The price for one serving of Lontong Balap here is IDR 22,000. Be sure to also order the sate kerang (clam satay) seasoned with a special blend of spices and sweet soy sauce!
4. Bu Rudy
A visit to Surabaya is incomplete without stopping by Depot Bu Rudy. The main branch of this depot is located at Jalan Dharmahusada no.140, Surabaya. Bu Rudy is famous for its delicious chili pastes (sambal), and it is common to see people buying it by the box. The chili paste options include sambal bajak, sambal bawang (shallot chili paste), and sambal hijau (green chili paste).
Photo source: Rumah Makan Jawa-Bali
Here, you can purchase various food souvenirs, from traditional snacks (jajanan pasar) to enjoying Bu Rudy's signature main dishes, such as the famous Nasi Udang Empal (Rice with Shrimp and Beef), Nasi Campur (Mixed Rice), Nasi Pecel Empal (Rice with Peanut Sauce Salad and Beef), Bebek Penyet (Smashed Duck), Nasi Madura (Madura-style Rice), Nasi Bebek Goreng (Fried Duck Rice), Pisang Goreng Madu (Honey Fried Banana), Tahu Ping, Ote-Ote, and many more.
5. Sate Klopo Pak Jami’i
This eatery is located at Jalan Menur No. 2C, Gubeng, close to the Campus B of Airlangga University. The menu served here includes sate klopo ayam (chicken coconut satay), sate klopo daging (beef coconut satay), and sate klopo kambing (goat coconut satay). What makes sate klopo unique is that it is sprinkled with toasted grated coconut before being grilled, resulting in a savory and delicious flavor, especially when combined with the peanut sauce. The prices for satay here start from IDR 14,000 to IDR 40,000 per serving.
Photo source: Pergi Kuliner
6. Depot Sederhana Gubeng Pojok
Established in 1974 and originally known as Nasi Goreng Gubeng Pojok for its legendary and tasty red fried rice (nasi goreng merah). In 1990, the depot changed its name to Depot Sederhana Gubeng Pojok. Today, the depot offers 18 menus at affordable and, of course, delicious prices. The favorite menu here is the Nasi Goreng Merah priced at IDR 13,500 per serving, which comes in a large portion with shredded chicken, omelet, and shrimp crackers. Nasi Ayam Penyet (Smashed Chicken Rice) and Bakmie Godog (Boiled Noodles) are also favorites among loyal customers.
Photo source: Cerita Cangkir
The Ayam Penyet is made from free-range chicken and is priced at IDR 21,000 per serving, while the Bakmie Godog, known for its savory and fragrant broth, costs IDR 13,500 per serving.
7. Rawon Setan
Rawon is a classic dish from East Java. If you are visiting the "City of Heroes," you must try this culinary specialty called Rawon Setan. It is located on Jalan Embong Malang, right in front of the JW Marriott Hotel. Rawon Setan is famous for its large and tender cuts of beef, and a broth that truly satisfies the palate.
Photo source: Emen Rizal
This place is always packed with food lovers due to its strategic location in the city center.
8. Bebek Sinjay
Bebek Sinjay is a famous Madura-style duck dish in Surabaya. The duck features tender meat, crispy bones, and a special blend of spices that thoroughly permeates the dish. It is served with a sprinkle of crispy crumbs (kremes), slices of cucumber, basil leaves, and the highlight is the Sambal Pencit (young mango chili sauce), which is both spicy and refreshing—it's highly addictive.
Photo source: Pergi Kuliner
Chili lovers will definitely enjoy this sambal. The restaurant is located at Jalan Dharmahusada No.160B, Gubeng. The price per serving is IDR 35,000. Happy tasting!
