10 Best Foods In Lombok, Indonesia, You Must Try

1. Plecing Kangkung

One of the most appetizing Lombok specialties you must taste is Plecing Kangkung, and it is definitely recommended for all vegetable and seafood lovers. This spicy water spinach salad has a unique limp look yet crunchy texture. The blanched veggies are topped with a chili and shrimp paste dressing, grated coconut, garlic, deep-fried peanuts, and lime juice.

Rumah Makan Taliwang H. Moerad

Address: Jl. Pelikan, Pejanggik, Kec. Mataram, Kota Mataram, Nusa Tenggara Barat

Opening Hours: 7 am to 10 pm

2. Ayam Taliwang

Ayam Taliwang is typical Indonesian grilled chicken. Yet, what makes it unlike other Indonesian grilled chicken is the main ingredient, or “ayam kampung”, meaning chicken from the village – it usually tends to be smaller, juicier and more organic than the rest. The fowl is covered in “taliwang” sauce, made of shrimp paste, garlic, lime juice, chilies, salt, and candlenuts. Gobble it up while it’s still hot.

Rumah Makan Taliwang

Address: Jl. A. A Gede Ngurah No.26, Cakranegara Timur, Cakranegara, Kota Mataram

Opening Hours: 9 am to 10 pm

3. Sate Bulayak

What sets this beef satay apart from other skewered dishes is its companion, often called Bulayak. It’s a type of compressed rice cake, wrapped in palm leaves has an elongated shape. This special dish is served with a spicy, coconut milk sauce. There are plenty of vendors selling this food – however, the one in Taman Suranadi is highly recommended.

Sate Bulayak Suranadi

Address: Suranadi, Narmada, West Lombok Regency, West Nusa Tenggara

Opening Hours: 8 am to 6 pm

4. Sate Rembiga

Sate Rembiga has been popular since the Pejanggik royal family, in Rembiga Village, introduced it to the public. This typical dish is made of marinated diced beef, skewered, then grilled over hot charcoal. The blend of spicy and sweet flavors whets everyone’s appetite. Enjoy it with either steamed rice or compressed rice cake.

Warung Sate Rembiga Utama

Address: Jl. Wahidin Sudirohusodo No.5, Rembiga, Selaparang, Kota Mataram

Opening Hours: 9 am to 11 pm

5. Ares

It might sound bizarre to hear that banana stems can be turned into a delicious meal – but, that’s how Ares is made. This dish is commonly found in wedding ceremonies and religious festivals and it is a type of curry in which beef, chicken, and fish are all included. The meat is simmered together, along with coconut milk and some aromatic herbs, such as galangal, ginger, and turmeric.

Waroeng Ares Lombok

Address: Jl. Raya Senggigi No.18, Meninting, Batu Layar, Kabupaten Lombok Barat

Opening Hours: 8 am to 12 pm

6. Sate Ikan Tanjung

Sate Ikan Tanjung is so called because it originates from Tanjung, a district of North Lombok. Ground fish, mostly tuna, is mixed with galangal, coconut milk, lemongrass, chilies, garlic, and kaffir lime leaves, then pressed onto a bamboo stick and grilled over smoldering coal. To seek the vendors selling this seafood dish, you better go in the afternoon or evening.

Sate Ikan Khas Tanjung

Address: Jalan Raya Tanjung, Sokong, Tanjung, Sokong, Tanjung, Kabupaten Lombok Utara

Opening Hours: 2 pm to 8 pm

7. Nasi Puyung

Editor's Note: Photo taken from the establishment's official social account

Nasi Puyung is basically steamed rice – it’s usually accompanied by several traditional dishes, such as Ayam Suwir (shredded chicken, cooked with lemongrass, chilies, and shrimp paste), Kering Kentang (crispy fried potato slices), Tumis Kacang (sauteed string beans), and sambal (spicy hot sauce). Add some fried soy beans for the garnish and you have the perfect meal.

Nasi Balap Puyung Inaq Esun

Address: Jl. Raya Puyung, Puyung, Jonggat, Kabupaten Lombok Tengah

Opening Hours: 8 am to 2 am

8. Bebalung

“Bebalung” means “animal bone” and this dish is made from either goat or cow ribs. This soupy meal is available during cultural festivals and always overshadows other Lombok specialties. The ribs are stewed with tamarind leaves, garlic, shallots, ginger, galangal, salt, and pepper. It is served hot with steamed rice, lime juice, and spicy hot sauce (sambal).

Warung Bebalung Sapi

Address: JL Surenadi Narmada, RT. 01, Narmada, Lembuak, Mataram, Lombok Barat

Contact Numbers: +62 879-1796-3331

9. Ikan Bakar Pantai Nipah

One of the greatest ways to enjoy an exotic Lombok beach is by having a bite of Ikan Bakar Pantai Nipah, which is a special grilled fish found on Nipah Beach. The fish is marinated in varied seasonings, such as lime juice, garlic, chilies, ginger, and sweet soy sauce, then grilled over hot coals. Other variations include squid and shrimp and you shouldn’t miss out on any of these fine meals.

Ikan Bakar Pantai Nipah

Address: Pemenang, Kabupaten Lombok Utara

Opening Hours: 24 hours

10. Beberuk Terong

Are you an eggplant lover? If so, try Beberuk Terong, a tasty dish in two types – the raw and cooked. The raw version is normally devoured with spicy tomato sauce and chopped string beans, while the cooked version is usually roasted, shredded, and topped with spicy sambal. It’s good to eat it with steamed rice, Plecing Kangkung, and Ayam Taliwang.

Kerandangan - Ikan Bakar, Sate Bulayak, Pelecing Kangkung

Address: Jl. Raya Senggigi No.16, Senggigi, Batu Layar, Kabupaten Lombok Barat

Opening Hours: 4 pm to 12 am

Lombok foods are indeed worth trying

If you are about to visit Lombok, be sure to include a culinary trip into your main itinerary. Try an assortment of delicious cuisine, from the fresh Lombok salad called Plecing Kangkung and Beberuk Terong to the tender, grilled, organic chicken, known as Ayam Taliwang.