The Real Delights Of North Sulawesi: 10 Best Manadonese Foods To Try

1. Bubur Manado (Tinutuan)

When stepping off the plane in Manado, the first thing you must do should be seek the phenomenal Bubur Tinutuan. Unlike chicken porridge, which might sound less appealing, the starchy food is great to maintain health. Aside of corn, it’s comprised of varied veggies such as water morning glory and spinach. It’s commonly served with salted fish and spicy sambal.

Dego-Dego Cafe

Address: Jl. Wakeke 3 No.11, Wenang Utara, Wenang, Manado City, North Sulawesi

Opening Hours: 7 am to 9 pm

2. Cakalang Fufu

Having easy access to Celebes Sea, Manado’s cuisine involves a lot of fish. One of the traditional Manadonese dishes you should go for is the Cakalang Fufu. The fresh skip-jack tuna is smoked, preserved, and processed into various Fufus (spicy Cakalang Fufu, coconut milk Cakalang Fufu, etc.). It’s also great as a family gift.

Pasar Ikan Cakalang Fufu and Roa

Address: Jl. Ahmad Yani, Sario, Pertigaan Pikat, Manado

Opening Hours: 5 am to 11 pm

3. Nasi Kuning Khas Manado

Although Indonesia has abounding types of yellow rice, Nasi Kuning Khas Manado does have a distinct flavor and form. Instead of being presented on a plate, the steamed bright edible grain is wrapped in the palm-like woka leaves. It’s often accompanied by several side dishes such as beef or fish abon (made of meat fibers), boiled egg, and a sprinkle of fried shallot.

Nasi Kuning Selamat Pagi Kampung Kodo

Address: Kp. Kodo, Lk. I, Jl. Sudirman 2 No. 25, Lawangirung, Wenang, Manado City, North Sulawesi

Opening Hours: 24 hours

4. Klappertaart

Klappertaart is a traditional Manadonese cake that has a lot of Dutch influences. It’s the mixture of young coconut flesh and custard, great to be savored while it’s chilled. The creamy and delicate texture tailored with the sweet tastes are not easily forgotten. If you want to try other variations, feel free to opt for the blueberry, cheese, and durian flavors.

Christine Klappertaart Manado

Address: Jalan Yos Sudarso, Kairagi Weru, Paal Dua, Manado City, North Sulawesi

Opening Hours: 8 am to 7 pm

5. Sambal Roa

At a glance, Sambal Roa is quite similar to Cakalang Fufu. The difference is based on the basic ingredient, using Roa fish (only found in the Celebes Sea). The meat is grilled, shredded, and chopped into very small pieces. Then, the tiny fish chunks are sautéed with chopped tomatoes, chilies, garlic, and shallot. The seasonings are simply salt and sugar.

Pasar Ikan Cakalang Fufu and Roa

Address: Jl. Ahmad Yani, Sario, Pertigaan Pikat, Manado

Opening Hours: 5 am to 11 pm

6. Gohu

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

Gohu is a type of spicy papaya pickle, favored by most inhabitants. The reddish orange flesh of the tropical fruit is sliced lengthwise and uniquely blended with vinegar, water, grounded chilies, palm sugar, ginger, and bakasang (fermented fish eggs). This refreshing dish has a fishy aroma plus the mix of sweet, sour, and piquant tastes.

Gohu & Pisgor "Mama Ola"

Address: Sario, Manado City, North Sulawesi

Opening Hours: 1 to 7 pm

7. Ayam Woku Woku

If you’re craving for a spicy chicken dish, you should try the Ayam Woku Woku. Although the food has a high level of spiciness, it’s definitely rich in flavor. The pieces of fowl meat are cooked with a number of spices such as chilies, turmeric, ginger, nut, and varied aromatic leaves from pandan to Thai basil. Having a mouthful with the warm steamed rice is excellent.

RM Bakar Rica

Address: Jl. Balaikota, Komo Luar, Wenang, Manado City, North Sulawesi

Opening Hours: 11 to 1:30 am

8. Nasi Jaha

If you think the steamed rice seems a bit humdrum for your Ayam Woku-Woku’s companion, you can try the Nasi Jaha. The sticky rice and ordinary rice are mixed with the mixture of coconut milk, lemon grass, kaffir lime and pandan leaves. Those components are packed into bamboo stem and grilled over the hot charcoal.

Pusat Kuliner Airmadidi, Minahasa Utara

Address: Jalan raya Manado - Bitung, North Minahasa, North Sulawesi

Opening Hours: 7 am to 9 pm

9. Ayam Tuturuga

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

Another chicken-based dish you can’t ignore whilst discovering Manado is no other than the Ayam Tuturuga. Unlike Opor Ayam which has a light flavor, the curry-like Manadonese specialty boasts pungency and the use of strong herbs like Thai basil, kaffir lime, and pandan leaves. What makes it more attractive is the grilled turmeric to enrich the taste, as well as setting off the appearance.

Rumah Makan Sri Solo

Address: Jl. Sam Ratulangi No.123, Titiwungan Utara, Sario, Manado City, North Sulawesi

Opening Hours: 7 am to 11 pm

10. Sambal Dabu Dabu

Sambal Dabu Dabu would be arguably Asian’s salsa dipping sauce, often devoured with grilled or fried fish and sea food. The diced tomatoes are added with lime juice, salt, pepper, chopped shallots and red chilies, and an amount of sliced Thai basil leaves.

RM. Dabu Dabu Lemong

Address: Jl. Boulevard 2, Bitung Karangria, Tuminting, Bitung Karangria, Manado City, North Sulawesi

Opening Hours: 11 am to 11 pm

Manadonese food is the mix of seafood, Dutch delights and Indonesian spices

Who says Manado is only for the marine explorers? This gem also has a vast number of palatable foods from healthy porridge to salsa-like dipping sauces. They literally pamper everyone’s taste bud and whet the appetite.