If you are looking for cold brew coffee and smoothie bowls, you are better off to Bali. You can find the Indonesian evergreens like gado-gado, nasi or mie goreng also on Sumatra. But the island has its very own cuisine. The most famous of which is undoubtly Rendang, Soto, Sambal or Gulai.
Warungs and Padang eateries
Warungs are the most common eateries for locals and travellers looking for authentic dishes. They often come as so called Padang eateries. They display their already cooked dishes in the front window, mostly curries, fish, egg, tempeh or vegetables. Pick out the ones you like. The default way to eat is with your right hand (the left hand is dirty). But you can also ask for a “sendok” (spoon).
Local markets
As everywhere, local markets are always a great way to dive into the local culture and explore local dishes and foods. Examples are the Friday market in Bukit Lawang or the fruit market in Berastagi. Ask the staff of your accommodation for tips for local markets.
Sumatran cuisine
Sumatran food is usually very spicy with lots of chilli, ginger, lemon grass, garlic and coriander. Some of the spiciest food in all Indonesia is the food from the city of Padang in the West of Sumatra. Most of the Sumatran people are muslim so there is few pork available. Although in the larger cities such as Medan it is commonly served in Chinese restaurants and the Batak people around Lake Toba (mostly Christians) may treat you also with some excellent pork dishes.
Vegetarians and Vegans
For those of you who travelled South East Asia know that it is actually quite easy to be vegetarian or vegan (except in the Philippines maybe). The same applies for travelling in Sumatra. Many dishes are accidentally vegan or can be easily adapted. People in the warungs (local eateries) and restaurants in the touristy places are very open for adjustments to the dishes and can cater many needs.
Read also: Sumatra for vegetarians and vegans
Eating Gluten-Free in Sumatra
Travelling with coeliac disease or gluten intolerance in Sumatra is possible, but it requires some preparation. The good news is that many staple foods are naturally gluten-free: rice is served at almost every meal, often with fresh vegetables, grilled fish, chicken, tempeh or tofu. Popular snacks like roasted peanuts, grilled corn or tropical fruits are also safe choices. What travellers need to be careful about are sauces and fried foods – soy sauce, stock cubes and wheat flour are often used in Indonesian cooking. Cross-contamination is another challenge, especially at buffets or in small jungle camps. To stay safe, it’s best to explain clearly: “Saya tidak bisa makan gandum, roti, mie, atau kecap dengan gandum” (“I cannot eat wheat, bread, noodles or soy sauce with wheat”). Bringing a few gluten-free essentials such as snacks or even a small bottle of gluten-free soy sauce can be very helpful. Best shot are the big supermarkets in Medan or Padang. In the smaller destinations such as Bukit Lawang or Lake Toba, there are only small shops and Indomarets with limited options. With clear communication and a little preparation, gluten-free travellers can still enjoy the rich flavors of Sumatran cuisine without worry.
Typical dishes from Sumatra
- Rendang is a kind of curry, but comes with a brown or dark brown sauce. The term Rendang refers to slow cooking, which flourished due to its role in preserving meat in a tropical climate. Rendang is based with coconut milk and rich in spices (ginger, turmeric leaves, lemongrass, galangal, garlic, chillis, shallots and others). Usually comes with meat, but can also be done with egg or tofu.
- Soto is a traditional Sumatran curry noodle soup with coconut milk and spices.
- Sumatra Curry is a colourful dish with a fresh flavour with the combination of chilli, coriander, ginger and lime. Variations are with meat or veggies.
- Sambal is a chilli and tomato paste and is used in or added to many different dishes.
- Gulai is a dish with a thick curry-like sauce. It is mostly served with poultry, beef, fish and also vegetables. Gulai sauce consists of spices like turmeric, galangal, coriander, ginger, chillis, garlic, shallot, lemongrass and cinnamon, ground into paste and cooked in coconut milk.
- Ayam Kacang Bukkitinggi – Peanut Chicken mainly served in and around Bukkitinggi
- Ayam goreng (fried chicken) is traditional in all Indonesia, but super tasty in Sumatra.
- Rujak – fruits served with a spicy chili sauce.
- Gado-gado the Indonesian evegreen. Vegetables topped with a delicious peanut sauce. Boiled egg on the side.
- Perkedel kentang – potato cakes
- Tempeh goreng – Besides tofu, tempeh is also very famous in Sumatra. Tempeh is a soy product and made by a natural fermentation process that binds soybeans into cake form. It usually comes fried with chillies.
- Cap Cay is a dish originated from China. Various vegetables are stir fried in a wok, then garlic, onion, salt, sugar, soy sauce and other sauces are added.
The best thing about all the delicious Sumatran food is that you can always get a fresh coconut or a fresh made juice along with it.
Read also:
Explore Sumatra’s Curries from Kari, Rendang, Gulai, and Semur to Lodeh
