* This article has been translated from the original Indonesian…*
The most famous West Sumatran dish, Rendang, has been voted the most delicious food in the world. While Rendang has stolen the spotlight, there are plenty more West Sumatran specialties that deserve a mention, and which are the staples of many Padang restaurants. Here are some of them;
1. Soto Padang
Soto Padang is another typical dish from West Sumatra which is already so famous throughout the Indonesia. Soto itself is indeed one of the dishes from Indonesia that is found in various regions. The difference between soto padang and other sotos is that the beef used is first fried and cut into small pieces (commonly called dendeng).
2. Sate Padang
It would be difficult to find an Indonesian who doesn’t know sate Padang. With a slightly sweet taste and distinctive roasting aroma, sate Padang has become an iconic food from the Padang area, West Sumatra. Generally, Padang satay uses beef and beef tongue as the main ingredients, which are then added with various spices. Offal is also commonly used.
Traders who sell sate padang will usually serve this dish with lontong (a type of compressed rice cake), which is covered by sauce. You can also choose warm rice, as an accompaniment to the satay.
3. Dendeng Balado
Dendeng is another beef dish. At first the beef will be cut into small pieces and dried, then given the Balado seasoning. Because it has been dried, dendeng will survive a couple of days travel, for this reason, it is not uncommon for local tourists to take it as a souvenir.
4. Ayam Pop
Ayam pop is another typical food from West Sumatra, and one of the mainstays in various Padang restaurants across Indonesia. It is a chicken curry, seasoned with various spices such as garlic, shallots, galangal, bay leaves, lime, salt, and coconut water.
5. Gulai Itiak Lado Mudo
Another curry, but made without using coconut milk is gulai itiak lado mudo. It is made of tender duck and green chilis.
6. Rendang Paru
Rendang Paru is identical to regular rendang in terms of seasoning, but is made with 1.5 times more coconut milk. In addition, beef lung is also an ingredient, so the texture is a little harder and the color is more brown than regular rendang. This dish provides the taste of rendang but with a different texture.
7. Sate Lokan
The next typical food of West Sumatra is Sate Lokan. Sate lokan uses green mussels as the basic ingredient. This cuisine is usually very easy to find in coastal areas, such as Pesisir Selatan, Padang, and also Pariaman.
The mussels will usually be boiled first, before being skewered and barbecued.
8. Nasi Kapau
Nasi Kapau is the typical culinary menu of the Bukittinggi area, and the only real difference between Nasi Kapau and Nasi Padang (the general term for food from Padang) is the presence of Gulai Kapau. Gulai Kapau is a vegetable curry, which is made from jackfruit, cabbage and also long beans. This kapau curry has a slightly sour taste with a yellow sauce. As for other side dishes, it is not much different from that found in Nasi Padang.
9. Gulai Paku
This unique dish uses young ferns of different varieties, such as bracken, clover and ostrich fern as the main ingredient. Usually this curry dish will be served with additional anchovies, salted fish, and shrimp.
10. Nasi Sala
Nasi sala is a dish originating from the Pariaman area. This West Sumatran food is in the form of rice with fish (often mackerel) and chili sauce, wrapped in banana leaves.
11. Kalio
Kalio is a semi-finished rendang, with a much shorter cooking time. It is a dish that many Indonesians will be familiar with, though they might not be aware of the name. Kalio has a soft and wet texture with a brown color, as opposed to the firmer texture and darker colour of rendang.
12. Asem Padeh Daging
The next typical food of West Sumatra is asem padeh daging, which is usually served in many traditional events such as weddings. Although generally using beef ingredients, this dish can also be made using fish or chicken meat. This sour and spicy dish at first glance looks like rendang.
13. Martabak Kubang
This Martabak is named after the area of origin, Nagari Kubang. Best described as a stuffed folded pancake, the martabak kubang is filled with rendang or minced beef and green onions. The size is arguably much larger when compared to martabak in general, but is also served with a sweet and sour sauce.
14. Gulai Gajeboh
This dish is made from beef hump which usually has a lot of lard (fat). As the name implies, this typical food of West Sumatra comes with curry sauce. The tastes of bitter gourd and sweet coconut milk blends into one.
In addition to the savory taste of the fat in the meat, the curry tends to be quite spicy and the blend is delicious. However, this dish is not recommended for those who suffer from high cholesterol.
“As an area that has one of the most delicious foods in the world, it is not surprising that West Sumatra has such a variety of delicious mainstay dishes that are unique. Actually, in addition to the main meal dishes above, the West Sumatra area also has a lot of special snacks that you must taste when visiting West Sumatra..”
Born and raised in Padang, Bayu is an expert on West Sumatran culture and travel. An experienced tour guide, traveler and all-round good guy, he enjoys sharing his expertise, good music and better company.
