5 Best Things To Do At Night In Pangkalan Bun, Indonesia

1. Eat grilled tempe in Bundaran Pancasila

Tempe is a famous food in Indonesia. Most people in Indonesia cook it by frying, mixed with some vegetable and then boil it. But in Pangkalan Bun, there is a special way to cook tempe, and you won’t find it in other places in Indonesia! It is called tempe bakar (grilled tempe). This fermented soybean is sliced and grilled like satay, but with different seasoning. You can choose the hot one or the sweet one, both are delicious! Have a seat in the garden at Bundaran Pancasila, while you eat your tempe bakar with your friends. Not only tempe bakar, this place also serves grilled krupuk basah. It is made of fish, and surely will make your mouth water.

Grilled tempe

Address: Bundaran Pancasila

2. Go around Bundaran Pancasila with an odong-odong

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

If you visit Pangkalan Bun with your kids, you should try this special vehicle - the odong-odong. There are these special vehicles in Bundaran Pancasila for you and your family to ride. These vehicles are modified with sparkling light around the vehicle, that will make your kids smile during their ride. You will have a quality time with your family while you enjoy Pangkalan Bun’s center at night. There are 3 kinds of odong-odong in Bundaran Pancasila, trains, car, and cart pulled by a horse, just choose your favorite. The cost is reasonable for a great experience!

Odong-odong

Address: Bundaran Pancasila

3. Eat traditional snacks at the river bank

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

The river bank is the nearest place in Pangkalan Bun to watch the sunset. Enjoy the wind’s breeze while you have a walk at the river bank. Come before sunset and you will see the view you will only find in Pangkalan Bun: the kids swimming, the fathers fishing, the moms doing laundry, everything you never expect you will see here. Take a boat called a getek, and you can cruise around Arut river. When the night is coming, another gorgeous view will take over. Fewer people stay out at night, but you can still find the special snacks at the river bank, like tempe bakar, krupuk basah, tole-tole and others. You will love being at the river bank at night for sure. This is what locals do at night at the river bank.

Snacks on the river bank

Address: Arut River

4. Go to karaoke to sing like a pro

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

Like in other cities in the world, local people love singing karaoke. There is much karaoke in Pangkalan Bun from the cheapest to the most expensive one; you can choose your favorite. The cheapest one and the most favorite in Pangkalan Bun is Karaoke Ku. It has many rooms that fit 6 people. With thousands of songs, you will sing like a pro here. The staffs are very kind, and you can choose a smoking or non smoking room. As with many other karaoke venues, it’s better to not bring snacks and drinks from outside. Bring your local friends to have more fun!

Karaoke Ku

Address: Jalan Diponegoro, Pangkalan Bun

5. Have a coffee in any cafe at Bundaran Pancasila

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

Pangkalan Bun local people love drinking coffee, from the young to the old. That’s why there are many coffee shops in Pangkalan Bun. Fortunately, the most recommended ones are located in Bundaran Pancasila. These 4 coffee shops have their own identity. First is IKC or Itut Kadut Company. This is the most famous cafe for teenagers because there are many delicious snacks beside the coffees. Hotplate noodle is the best food to try here. The second one is Coffee Time. It is located beside IKC, but most of the visitors are workers, aged 20 and above. Come here on Saturday night and you will be entertained by a local band. You may also sing or play instruments with them if you wish.

The third is Coffee Toffee, this is one of the big coffee shop franchise brands in Indonesia. This cafe is exclusive, and the place is more private, only walking distance from Bundaran Pancasila. Don’t ask about the menu items, all of it is delicious, both the coffee and the food.The last but not least is Ponti Suri Kafe. It is located in front of the City Mall. Those who love poetry can come here because there is a poetry community that always performs here. So, choose your favorite cafe and have some coffee with your loved ones.

Coffee shops

Address: Bundaran Pancasila

Unsual things to do

Most of the people in Pangkalan Bun spend their night in Bundaran Pancasila, especially on Saturday nights. You will see the differences between day light and night here. This is how they spend their night - not going to a club or having a beer, it is totally different to other places. You will never know before you have tried, but the mellow atmosphere is a great reprieve during vacation. So book your tickets, and live like a local by doing those 5 unusual things at night in Pangkalan Bun!