Find Your South Borneo Pleasure: 10 Best Banjarese Foods To Try

1. Soto banjar

Soto banjar is one of the most iconic culinary delights of south Borneo. It is composed of clear broth and various fillings, including pieces of chicken meat, potato fritters, vermicelli rice, boiled eggs, and ketupat (a compressed rice cake wrapped in woven coconut leaves). Before having a bite, add lime juice, spicy sambal, and sweet soya sauce for an incredible taste.

Warung Soto Bang Amat

Address: Jalan Banua Anyar No. 6, Benua Anyar, Banjarmasin Timur, Benua Anyar, Banjarmasin City, South Kalimantan

Opening Hours: 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.

2. Sop ayam banjar

Editor's Note: There's no photo available at the time of writing

Banjarese cuisine generally includes soupy foods like sop ayam banjar. Unlike soto banjar, which uses ketupat, the chicken soup is served with steamed rice. The broth is made with spices like clove, star anise, nutmeg, and ginger. Companions to this wonderful dish can include vermicelli rice, a sprinkle of fried shallot, a spring onion, and most importantly, lime juice.

Soto Banjar H. Anang Ayam Bapukah

Address: Sungai Baru, Central Banjarmasin, Banjarmasin City, South Kalimantan

Opening Hours: 6 a.m. to 4 p.m.

3. Nasi itik gambut

Your list of things to do in Banjarmasin would be incomplete without dropping by the likable Warung Tenda Biru. You can take pleasure in a lip-smacking duck dish called nasi itik gambut at this legendary restaurant. The steamed rice is mixed with boiled, fried, and sauteed fowl and habang sauce, then wrapped in a banana leaf, adding a special aroma.

Nasi Itik Tenda Biru Gambut

Address: Jl. A. Yani, Malintang Baru, Gambut, Banjar, South Borneo

Opening Hours: 5 a.m. to 10 p.m.

4. Nasi kuning banjar

Banjarmasin has a scented yellow rice, commonly known as nasi kuning banjar. This steamed grain accentuates protein-based side dishes like habang, which includes chicken, duck, egg, and catfish cooked in red seasonings. This dish looks captivating, especially when presented with a sprinkle of fried shallot and tempeh.

Nasi Kuning Banjar Indah

Address: Pemurus Dalam, South Banjarmasin, Banjarmasin City, South Kalimantan

Opening Hours: 6:30 a.m. to 12 p.m.

5. Gangan paliat

Editor's Note: There's no photo available at the time of writing

Do you have a craving for fish curry? Then don’t miss out on gangan paliat, a dish belonging to the people of Tabalong. This dish uniquely uses various types of catfish, including baung, gabus, and tauman (prawn could be another alternative). The thick yellow coconut gravy, which has a mild pungency and a bright appearance, is another important element of the popular dish. Some fresh veggies and spicy sambal are also generally eaten with this dish.

RM. Paliat Hj. Mariam

Address: Terminal Mabuun, Tanjung tabalong, South Kalimantan

Contact Number: +62 (0526) 2024606

6. Mandai

Mandai refers to the skin of the cempedak fruit, a type of small jackfruit. The outer part of the ripened fruit is diced into several chunks and soaked with salt for a couple of hours or days, or even a month. They are cooked with several basic spices, including shallots, garlic, and chilies, when their texture is soft enough.

Rumah Sambal Acan Raja Banjar

Address: Jl. RE Martadinata No.20, Kertak Baru Ilir, Banjarmasin Tengah, Banjarmasin City, South Kalimantan

Opening Hours: 9 a.m. to 10 p.m.

7. Ketupat kandangan

Ketupat kandangan is a common dish made with some pieces of ketupat (the compressed rhombus-shaped rice cake wrapped in coconut leaves), heavy coconut milk gravy, and most importantly, a slice of gabus catfish. Originating from the region of Hulu Sungai Selatan, this food is best devoured with hands instead of cutlery.

Ketupat Kandangan Hayati

Address: Jl. Pahlawan, Seberang Mesjid, Banjarmasin Tengah, Banjarmasin City, South Kalimantan

Opening Hours: 6 to 11 a.m.

8. Bingka

Editor's Note: There's no photo available at the time of writing

Bingka is a type of Banjarese cake with a sweet taste and delicate texture. It’s no wonder that this flower-shaped traditional loaf is favored not only by the locals but also by most Indonesians. The primary ingredients are relatively plain. It is a mixture of mashed potato, sugar, thick coconut milk, duck egg, and vanilla powder. Other alternatives include pumpkin and fermented cassava.

Bingka Zahra

Address: Desa Anjir Pasar Lama RT.02 Seberang Pos Pemeriksaan Hewan, Anjir Ps. Lama, Anjir Ps., Kabupaten Barito Kuala

Opening Hours: 1:30 to 5:30 p.m.

9. Patin baubar

Editor's Note: There's no photo available at the time of writing

For those fancying a grilled fish, you can’t miss out on an opportunity to try the patin baubar. The catfish is marinated with innumerable Bornean spices like bay leaves, galangal, and palm sugar, wrapped in a banana leaf and grilled over a low heat. This lovely dish is excellent when eaten with steamed rice and fresh Thai basil.

Pondok Patin Bakar

Address: Jalan Pramuka No. 1, RT. 08, Kel. Pemurus Luar, Pemurus Luar, Kec. Banjarmasin Tim., Banjarmasin City

Opening Hours: 8 a.m. to 10 p.m.

10. Amparan tatak

With a cup of hot tea or coffee, amparan tatak could perfect your afternoon snack time. The good-looking cake is made of coconut milk and rice flour and filled with some pieces of banana and jackfruit. In order to make it more attractive, a stripe of pandan leaves is added. To get it, just hit the floating market.

Pasar Terapung Siring Banjarmasin

Address: Jl. Kapt Tendean No. 20, Gadang, Banjarmasin Tengah, Banjarmasin City

Opening Hours: 4 a.m. to 12 p.m. (weekends)

Banjarese foods will make you feel like you're in paradise

South Borneo, famous for its floating market, offers a wide number of delicious foods from the chickeny soto banjar to the cute amparan tatak.