Who can deny the daintiness of Sundanese foods, the popular cuisine from the West Java? Compared to other traditional Indonesian delicacies, Sudanese food is mostly characterized by their fresh sourness, slight sweetness, saltiness, and perfect spiciness. The other leading components include the raw green veggies famously known as “lalab” and shrimp paste condiment.
Do you want to see more? Check out these 10 great Sundanese foods!
1. Nasi Timbel
Nasi Timbel is such an impeccable presentation of Sundanese cuisine as it offers the most complete elements, from raw veggies to terasi dipping sauce. Yet, the highlight is basically the local rice compressed into banana leaves and steamed (sometimes barbecued) until the aroma of the green sheet pops up, creating a specific sensation. The additional dishes to savor include fried chicken, tofu/tempeh, and sayur asam (tamarind soup).
Nasi Timbel Bawean
Address: Jl. Bawean Pav. 3, Bandung, West Java
Opening Hours: 7:30 am to 5 pm
2. Gepuk
Gepuk is a kind of beef jerky that’s commonly found not only in West Java but also in Jakarta. The savory and slightly sweet flavors hypnotize the foodies, while they enjoy the tenderness of the cow’s meat. Before being simmered in an abundance of spices such as bay leaves, tamarind, and galangal, the flesh is smashed and banged – that’s why it’s called “Gepuk”.
Gepuk Nyonya Yong
Address: Jl. Pasundan No.15, Balonggede, Regol, Bandung City, West Java
Opening Hours: 8:30 am to 5 pm
3. Batagor
Batagor stands for “Bakso Tahu Goreng” which means fried bakso and tofu. The bakso is made of ground fish meat, starch, spring onion, salt, and pepper. It’s filled inside the tofu, deep-fried into a crisp and cut into small pieces. The last step is to drizzle the fritters with a delicious peanut sauce, sweet soy sauce, and lime juice – if you love something spicy, just add some sambal sauce.
Batagor Riri
Address: Jalan Burangrang No.41, Malabar, Lengkong, Malabar, Bandung City, West Java
Opening Hours: 8 am to 8 pm
4. Cireng
Cireng, standing for “Aci Digoreng,” is one of the most favored snacks in West Java, even in Indonesia. To make this starchy dish is quite simple; the tapioca flour and wheat flour are mixed with water, salt, pepper, soy powder, and spring onion. The dough is divided into small pieces, molded into various shapes, and then fried. This food is great dipped in the hot sauce.
Cireng Cipaganti
Address: Jl. Lamping No.17, Pasteur, Sukajadi, Bandung City, West Java
Opening Hours: 1 to 8:30 pm
5. Combro
Combro is another worth-trying Sundanese snack you can’t miss out on. The elemental ingredient used is the grated cassava. The yam pieces are shaped into medium balls and filled with sautéed oncom – a chunk of orange-red fermented nuts having a close relation with tempeh. This is a great companion for afternoon tea, and is best chewed with green chilies.
Pasar Ciroyom Bandung
Address: Jl. Ciroyom Barat, Ciroyom, Andir, Bandung City, West Java
Opening Hours: 5 am to 7 pm
6. Sate Maranggi
Satay is not always confined to Padang or Madura – just travel to West Java and you’ll find the delicious Sate Maranggi. Originating from the region of Purwakarta, the skewered mutton or beef is marinated with some spices, namely coriander and ginger, then grilled over a medium heat. Instead of being doused with peanut sauce, it’s just presented with pickles and sweet soy sauce.
Sate Maranggi Hj Yetty
Address: Jl. Nasional 4, Cibungur, Bungursari, Purwakarta Regency, West Java
Opening Hours: 8 am to 9 pm
7. Surabi
To close your Sundanese main course, the Surabi would be an interesting option. The traditional pancake, made of the mixture of wheat and rice flour, is uniquely baked on a clay cake mold over hot charcoal. There is a wide variety of toppings you can select, such as palm sugar (the original one), banana, cheese, jack-fruit, and durian.
Waroeng Setiabudhi Surabi & Baso Kampung
Address: Jalan Dokter Setiabudhi No.175, Sukasari, Gegerkalong, Bandung City, West Java
Opening Hours: 3 pm to 12 am
8. Karedok
Karedok is composed of chopped string beans, tiny green plants, cucumber, cabbage, and beansprouts. The cut veggies are then blended with the grated coconut which has been roasted beforehand. The salad-looking dish can be directly eaten or alongside steamed rice.
Karedok Neng Neni
Address: Jl. Taman Pahlawan, Purwamekar, Purwakarta
Opening Hours: 7 am to 9 pm
9. Tauge Tauco (Geco)
Tauge Tauco, famously known as Geco, is basically a simple dish from Cianjur that features blanched beansprouts and tauco seasoning (a type of dark sauce made of fermented soy bean). To devour this traditional delicacy, you can find it at the street vendors. Some additional dishes could be ketupat, boiled egg, tofu, and potato. To enrich the taste, don’t forget to add the lahang vinegar.
Geco Nurasari Pak Iding
Address: Jl. Siti Jenab No. 24 Cianjur
Opening Hours: 9 am to 7 pm
10. Colenak
Editor’s note: Establishment is permanently closed
Colenak, the acronym of “Dicocol Enak”, is a kind of sweet delight which is actually grilled tapai (fermented cassava) – the locals always call it “peuyeum”. It’s usually dipped in palm sugar sauce and filled with grated coconut. Other variations include durian and jack-fruit.
Warung Colenak
Address: Jl. Ir. H. Juanda No. 343, Dago, Coblong, Bandung City, West Java
Opening Hours: 8 am to 11:42 pm
Sundanese cuisine is absolutely worth tasting
If you plan to explore West Java, you need to include a culinary tour trying the Sundanese specialties on your itinerary. The region is a real food paradise, offering many great foods from Nasi Timbel to Colenak.