Discover the culinary delights of East Kalimantan through a variety of mouth-watering specialties, from deer satay to nasi bekepor which is full of unique flavors.
East Kalimantan, as a culturally rich region and a candidate for the new capital city, has a variety of culinary specialties that are rich in flavor. From traditional foods to special dishes from the Kutai kingdom, here are 10 Typical East Kalimantan Foods that you must try.
1. Saltwater Satay
Sate Payau is a unique dish from East Kalimantan because it uses deer meat as the main ingredient. The tender deer meat is cut into small pieces, seasoned with sweet soy sauce and dried red chilies, then grilled until it smells delicious.
The combination of salty, sweet, and spicy flavors makes this satay so special, making it a target for tourists.
2. Gen Ruan
Gence ruan is a typical dish made from haruan fish or snakehead fish. After being grilled, the fish is doused in East Kalimantan’s signature “gence” sauce made from a mixture of chilies and spices.
The spicy and savory taste makes gence ruan one of the favorite dishes to enjoy fish with a different sensation.
3. Cincane Chicken
Ayam cincane uses free-range chicken combined with rich spices, such as coconut milk, shallots, candlenuts and ginger.
This spiced chicken is grilled until cooked, producing a savory taste and the distinctive aroma of spices that are perfectly absorbed. Ayam cincane is a suitable choice for visitors who want to enjoy the rich taste of East Kalimantan cuisine.
4. Bekepor Rice
Nasi bekepor is rice cooked with vegetable oil, chili, bay leaves, and basil to create a distinctive savory flavor. Usually, this rice is served with side dishes such as chicken cincane or meat cooked in burnt earth. Nasi bekepor provides a rice eating experience with a strong and very alluring local flavor.
5. Scorched Earth Meat
Despite its unique name, beef cooked in scorched earth is a beef dish cooked in sweet soy sauce until it is pitch black. The soy sauce seasoning gives it a distinctive sweet and savory taste, as well as a tender and aromatic meat texture.
The dark appearance of the dish is the reason for the name scorched earth, but the taste is very delicious and worth trying.
6. Gangan Manok
Gangan manok is a vegetable dish consisting of cornstarch meat balls and vegetables such as spinach and gourd.
Gangan means vegetables, while manok means chicken in Kutai language. This dish has a savory taste and soft texture, and is often enjoyed with chili sauce or sauce as a complement.
7. Kutai Sour Gangan Vegetables
Sayur gangan asam Kutai is a fresh sour soup made with river fish, banana slices, and tubers. Unlike sayur asam Jawa, gangan asam Kutai uses lime and Dayak eggplant to create a distinctive sour taste. This dish is the perfect choice to enjoy the unique fresh sour sensation .
8. Samarinda Yellow Rice
Samarinda yellow rice is a variation of yellow rice typical of East Kalimantan. Rice is cooked with coconut milk and turmeric so that it is bright yellow and has a delicious aroma.
This rice is served with shredded haruan fish, chicken, egg, and fried chili sauce, creating a combination of savory flavors that pamper the tongue. This Samarinda yellow rice is often served at traditional events and is also sold in various restaurants.
9. Spicy Porridge
Spicy porridge is a typical Dayak food made from roasted and pounded rice, then cooked with various vegetables, spices, and pieces of meat or fish.
The texture of this porridge is thick and the taste is spicy and savory, giving a different eating sensation from porridge in general. This dish is usually served at traditional events but is now easy to find in local restaurants.
10. Wednesday Ruan
Rabo ruan is a dish of haruan fish whose meat is ground and mixed with typical East Kalimantan spices such as shallots, garlic, and other spices. After that, the fish mixture is shaped and steamed until cooked. Rabo ruan is served with rice and has a distinctive, alluring fishy taste.
Each typical East Kalimantan dish reflects the rich culture, history and unique characteristics of this region. Various local spices and traditional ingredients provide different flavors, demonstrating the culinary creativity of the community.
Apart from being a source of pride, this culinary also carries a message about local values that are passed down from generation to generation.
Exploring East Kalimantan without tasting its local dishes feels incomplete. Each meal provides a taste experience that introduces you to the local culture.
Typical Balikpapan Food such as brackish satay and nasi bekepor not only pamper the taste buds but also provide a rich picture of the lives of the people.
Enjoy the rich flavors of East Kalimantan in every bite, and you will understand why this culinary delight is worth immortalizing in your travel experience.