Find a variety of Semarang specialties that are a must-try and are known to be delicious, from lumpia to soto bangkong that are ready to pamper your tongue.
Semarang, the capital of Central Java, is not only known for its tourist destinations rich in history and culture, but also for its variety of culinary specialties that pamper the tongue.
Various culinary delights from Semarang have unique flavors and are full of deliciousness. From snacks to heavy meals, this city offers a lot of choices that must be tasted. Here are 10 Typical Semarang Foods that are famously delicious and should not be missed when visiting.
1. Semarang Spring Rolls
Lumpia Semarang is one of the culinary icons of this city that is very famous throughout Indonesia. This snack is in the form of thin skin filled with bamboo shoots (young bamboo), chicken, or shrimp, then fried until crispy.
Served with sweet sauce and pickles, lumpia provides a combination of savory and sweet flavors. Lumpia Semarang is available in two types, namely wet lumpia and fried lumpia, so it can be adjusted to taste.
2. Tahu Gimbal
Tahu gimbal is a dish made from fried tofu pieces served with lontong, bean sprouts, and gimbal (shrimp fried in flour batter).
Topped with a distinctive peanut sauce and mixed with petis, this dish has a savory and slightly sweet taste. Tahu gimbal is often found in various street food stalls and is quite a popular food among locals and tourists.
3. Wingko Babat
Wingko Babat is a traditional cake made from a mixture of grated coconut, glutinous rice flour, and sugar. This cake has a slightly chewy texture and a sweet and savory taste.
Wingko Babat is usually sold in small or large round shapes and is often purchased as a typical Semarang souvenir. One of the most famous Wingko Babat brands in Semarang is Wingko Babat Cap Kereta Api.
4. Milkfish Presto
Bandeng presto is a dish of milkfish cooked by pressure cooking so that the bones become soft and edible. This fish is usually seasoned with spices such as turmeric, garlic, and salt before being pressure cooked.
Bandeng presto is often served with chili paste and warm rice, making it one of the most popular dishes. Bandeng presto is also a souvenir that is much sought after by tourists.
5. Gandul Rice
Although originally from Pati, Nasi Gandul is also very popular in Semarang. This dish consists of white rice served with a savory and delicious brownish coconut milk sauce.
Usually, Nasi Gandul is served with beef or offal cooked with special spices. Its savory and slightly sweet taste makes Nasi Gandul very popular with many people.
6. Soto Bangkong
Soto Bangkong is one of the famous variants of Semarang’s soto. Unlike soto in general, Soto Bangkong uses a clear broth but is rich in flavor. This soto contains shredded chicken, bean sprouts, vermicelli, and is sprinkled with fried onions and celery.
Soto Bangkong is usually served with white rice or lontong and additional chili sauce and sweet soy sauce, according to taste.
7. Babat Gongso
Babat Gongso is a dish made from beef offal, especially tripe, cooked with sweet soy sauce. The cooking process makes the tripe tender and the spices are perfectly absorbed, creating a sweet and savory taste.
This dish is usually served with warm white rice, and is often accompanied by fried eggs or tofu and tempeh as a complement.
8. Tahu Pong
Tahu Pong is one type of fried tofu that is famous in Semarang. The characteristic of tahu pong is the empty or “hollow” inside.
Usually, tahu pong is served with a special petis sauce and cucumber pickles, and can be added with boiled eggs or shrimp gimbal. The combination of crispy fried tofu and savory sauce makes Tahu Pong a very popular snack.
9. Conglik Ice
Es Conglik is a typical Semarang drink that is very refreshing, especially when the weather is hot. This drink consists of ice cream with various flavors such as chocolate, vanilla, green beans, and durian.
Served with sweet syrup and pieces of fruit, Es Conglik is the perfect dessert after enjoying various heavy dishes. It is said that the name Conglik was taken from the name of an ice cream seller who came from the Chinese community in the past.
10. Rail Block
Ganjel Rel is a traditional bread from Semarang that has an elongated shape like a train track, so it is named “Ganjel Rel.” This bread is brown in color with a slightly hard texture, but has a sweet taste because of the mixture of cinnamon in it.
This bread is often served at traditional events or as a typical Semarang souvenir. Although the texture is a bit hard, Ganjel Rel is still in demand because of its unique taste.
Conclusion
Semarang offers a variety of Typical Central Java Foods that are a shame to miss. Each food has its own taste and uniqueness that reflects the richness of the city’s culinary culture.
Starting from snacks such as lumpia and wingko babat to heavy dishes such as nasi gandul and babat gongso, each dish presents a satisfying culinary experience.
