West Sumatra – Are you a lover of spicy food? If so, you should have begin your culinary tourism of Padang cuisine when you visit Indonesia.
Warung Padang (Padang Food) is popular for their spicy, coconut milk and savory food. This because most of the menus processed in Padang dishes use chili as the main ingredient. Padang Food can be easily found throughout Indonesia. This is caused by the Minangkabau people (native of Padang) who have migrated throughout Indonesia. But this time, I will invite you to directly plunge into the sensation of eating Padang cuisine directly from the center of origin. One of the favorite places is Bukittinggi, West Sumatra.
First, let’s meet this iconic clock tower named Jam Gadang. Similar to the Big Ben Tower in England which is one of the landmarks of West Sumatra. Once you’ve seen this clock tower, the sign of delicious food right in front. Let’s start to explore!
It’s 12 noon and I’m extremely hungry, time to eat NASI PADANG!! Get prepare yourself visiting at lunch time because surprisingly crowded in lines.
There are hundreds of stalls selling Nasi Padang here, all you have to do is choose which one is your taste. All look very tempting, and of course be prepared with the spicy sensation that is ready to shake your tongue. Mainstay menu in every meal is Rendang. Beef cooked slowly simmered with coconut milk combined with traditional spices makes Rendang beat the world’s 50 best food as number 1 most delicious dish in the world. There is also Dendeng Batokok (Beef Jerky), mashed beef which is fried crispy and then poured out by the traditional chili sauce on top. In addition, cow’s organs such as spleen, intestine, gravel, liver, and tripe can also be processed by cooking curry. These side dishes will be served with rice, vegetables, curry, and lado (chili).
Besides nasi padang, other recommended savory foods available here such as Sala Lauak and Pical Padang. Pical Padang is a mixture of boiled vegetables, mixed with yellow noodles, rice cake and ending with a splash of peanut sauce on top. While Sala Lauak is a typical Pariaman fried snack made from rice flour which is generally processed with anchovies or fine shrimp.
After fulfill my belly with heavy and savory food, it’s time to look for dessert.
Don’t miss to try this one, it’s called Pisang Pijak. Pisang Pijak means Pisang (banana) and Pijak (press) or banana mashed. Pisang Pijak are processed by burning on charcoal, then followed by pressing using special traditional tools. After flat, the banana sprinkled with grated coconut mixed with brown sugar. A matter of taste, please don’t ask! This food is favorite dessert in West Sumatra.
If you are looking for candy, try this West Sumatran traditional candy called Gulo-Gulo Tareh. Gulo-Gulo Tareh means pull sugar where the candy was made by pulling. This sugar-based candy turned out very popular in 90’s era. But time after time, it is increasingly difficult to find this candy. This because the process of making candy takes up to 6 hours.
Overall, don’t ask how’s the taste of padang cuisine,
Cause u will ask for more!!