Surabaya Java, Indonesia Travel Guide
Surabaya's food culture has a flavorful journey, distinct even within Java. Its cuisine, often called "Arek" cuisine, draws heavily from Javanese, Madurese, and Chinese influences, a testament to its long history as a bustling port city and melting pot of cultures.
The strategic coastal location and role as a trading hub infused its culinary traditions with a mix of flavors and techniques. This heritage creates a cuisine known for its bold, savory, and often spicy profiles.
Common and acceptable at street food stalls and casual local eateries (warungs), especially for dishes like nasi pecel or rawon. Always use your right hand.
Dishes often get ordered to share among groups, enabling everyone to sample a variety of flavors. This communal dining style is a common practice.
Generally, formal table manners are not strictly observed in casual settings. Quiet slurping of noodles or soup is generally acceptable, indicating enjoyment of the food.
A rich, dark beef soup. Its characteristic black color from the keluak nut provides a distinct, earthy, savory flavor.
Find it at Warung Nasi Rawon Setan (Jalan Embong Malang) or Rawon Nguling.
A unique take on satay, featuring skewered beef or chicken grilled with grated coconut. The coconut imparts a distinct texture and fragrant aroma.
Try this specialty at Sate Klopo Ondomohen Bu Asih.
A unique salad containing sliced cooked beef snout, fresh fruits, blanched vegetables, rice cakes, tofu, and tempeh. Tossed in a thick, savory-sweet, and spicy black sauce from petis.
Rujak Cingur Genteng Durasim is a well-known establishment.
Non-alcoholic: Es Teh (iced tea), Es Jeruk (iced orange juice), various fresh fruit juices. Alcoholic: Bintang Beer, available in hotels and larger restaurants.
Kue Lapis (layered cake), Klepon (glutinous rice balls with palm sugar, coated in coconut), Onde-onde (sesame seed balls with sweet green bean paste filling).
Upscale restaurants typically reside within luxury hotels like the Shangri-La and JW Marriott. These establishments offer refined Indonesian cuisine, often with a modern twist, or a selection of international dishes prepared to high standards.
These are abundant throughout the city. Mid-range restaurants offer a mix of Indonesian, Chinese-Indonesian, and a range of international cuisines, including Japanese, Korean, Western, and Indian.
Warungs (small local eateries) offer authentic, delicious, and incredibly affordable Indonesian food. Street food vendors create lively hubs, especially in the evenings. Food courts in malls offer diverse options.
While known for electronics, this traditional market also features numerous food stalls offering local specialties.
A great spot to sample local flavors.
This market is famous for its incredibly diverse food offerings, notably Chinese-Indonesian specialties. It remains a must-visit for food lovers.
An authentic setting for culinary exploration.
Sushi bars and ramen shops.
BBQ and stews.
Pizzerias and pasta places.
Popular American chains.
Google Translate (with Indonesian language pack for offline use) is an invaluable tool. Prepare phrases in advance to communicate your dietary restrictions.
Download the offline language pack.
Learn basic phrases: "Saya tidak makan daging/ikan/udang" (I don't eat meat/fish/shrimp), "Saya tidak bisa makan kacang" (I cannot eat peanuts).
Also, "Apakah ini mengandung (ingredient)?" (Does this contain [ingredient]?).
Consult online forums or travel groups specializing in vegan, vegetarian, or allergy-aware travel in Indonesia for specific restaurant recommendations or tips.
If you have severe allergies, bringing your own safe snacks provides a backup option when dining out proves challenging or uncertain.
Some local tour operators or specialized culinary schools offer cooking classes focusing on Javanese or broader Indonesian cuisine.
A local guide can lead you to the best stalls, explain the dishes, and assist with navigation in bustling markets.
Direct farm visits or food production tours are not common within urban Surabaya. For such experiences, venture into surrounding rural East Java areas.
When participating in a cooking class, be prepared to get hands-on. This enhances the learning process.
Asking questions about ingredients and their cultural significance enriches your learning experience.
Do not hesitate to try street food. Look for stalls that appear clean, have a constant flow of customers, and where the food is cooked fresh in front of you.
This usually indicates quality and safety for your culinary adventure.
Famous for its diverse food offerings, especially Chinese-Indonesian specialties. A must-visit for food lovers.
A bustling traditional wet and dry market. Find fresh produce, spices, and witness daily life.
When exploring food stalls at markets or on the street, look for a queue. Locals lining up usually means the food is fresh and tasty.
When eating at local warungs, look for places with a high turnover of customers.
