Discover a variety of delicious and flavorful West Sumatran specialties in this article, and enjoy the uniqueness of mouth-watering Minangkabau cuisine.
West Sumatra, or better known as Minangkabau, is a region known for its unmatched culinary richness. Minangkabau cuisine has always captivated the hearts of many with its rich, spicy, and spice-filled flavors.
Thanks to its authentic spices and unique cooking process, West Sumatran cuisine has become one of Indonesia’s culinary prides. From the world-famous rendang to the refreshing soto Padang, here are 10 West Sumatran specialties that are rich in flavor and a must-try.
1. Beef stew
Who doesn’t know rendang? This dish, which has been named one of the most delicious foods in the world, is the pride of Traditional Food of Sumatera Barat.
Rendang is made from beef that is slowly cooked in a mixture of coconut milk and spices such as chili, galangal, lemongrass, and garlic.
The long cooking process until the coconut milk is completely absorbed and dries makes rendang have a tender meat texture with a strong spice flavor.
In addition to using beef, rendang can also be made with other ingredients such as chicken, eggs, or even jengkol.
However, the beef version remains a favorite for many people. In Minangkabau, rendang is often served during traditional events, celebrations, or family celebrations.
2. Padang Satay
Sate Padang is a type of satay typical of West Sumatra that is different from satay from other regions in Indonesia. Pieces of beef, tongue, or offal that have been boiled then grilled and served with a thick yellow sauce.
The yellow sauce that is rich in spices such as turmeric, coriander, and cumin is the main characteristic of Padang satay.
The savory and slightly spicy taste makes Padang satay very popular, both by locals and tourists. Usually, this satay is served with lontong or ketupat, and is complemented with fried onions and crackers.
3. Spicy beef jerky
Dendeng Balado is a dish made from thin slices of beef that have been fried dry, then served with spicy balado sauce made from red chilies, shallots, and garlic. The combination of crispy meat and spicy balado chili sauce makes this dish very appetizing.
In West Sumatra, dendeng balado is usually served as a side dish with rice. There are two popular types of dendeng, namely dendeng batokok and dendeng lambok.
Dendeng batokok uses meat that is pounded first to make it more tender before being fried, while dendeng lambok is a wetter and more tender version.
4. Tambusu Curry
Gulai Tambusu is a unique dish from West Sumatra that uses cow intestines as its main ingredient.
The cow intestines are filled with a mixture of tofu, eggs, and spices, then cooked in a coconut milk sauce rich in spices. It tastes savory with a touch of sweetness from the coconut milk and spices.
The process of cooking tambusu curry is quite complicated because the intestines must be cleaned very carefully so that they do not break easily when cooked. Nevertheless, the results are very satisfying, making tambusu curry one of the must-try dishes if you visit West Sumatra.
5. Padang Soto
Soto Padang is one of the famous soto variants in Indonesia. Unlike soto from other regions, soto Padang has a clear, fresh broth with a light taste but rich in spices.
The filling of this soto is pieces of beef that have been fried dry, rice noodles, French fries, and potato croquettes. Soto Padang is usually served with a sprinkling of fried onions and lime juice which gives a fresh, sour taste .
This dish is perfect to eat in the morning for breakfast or during cold weather because the sauce is warm and fresh .
6. Mudo Lado Duck Curry
Gulai Itiak Lado Mudo is a typical West Sumatran dish that uses duck as the main ingredient. Itiak (Minangkabau for duck) is cooked in coconut milk sauce mixed with sambal lado mudo, a green chili sauce made from green chilies, shallots and garlic. It tastes very savory and spicy, with a tender duck texture.
The process of cooking this duck curry requires patience because the duck must be cooked until it is really tender and the spices are perfectly absorbed. This dish is often served at important events or when gathering with family.
7. Kapau Rice
Nasi Kapau is a variant of rice rames typical of the Kapau area, West Sumatra. This dish consists of rice served with various side dishes such as rendang, jackfruit curry, fried chicken, and balado eggs.
What distinguishes Kapau rice from ordinary Padang rice is the use of distinctive vegetable curry, such as jackfruit curry with the addition of kapalo fish (fish head) which gives it a savory and spicy taste.
In West Sumatra, Kapau rice is often sold in stalls or restaurants that specifically serve this dish. Its diverse flavors in one plate make Kapau rice very popular among culinary lovers.
8. Pop Chicken
Ayam Pop is a typical West Sumatran chicken dish that is famous for its soft texture and savory taste. The chicken used is usually free-range chicken boiled in coconut water and minimalist spices, resulting in tender chicken but still maintaining the original taste of the meat.
Ayam Pop is usually served with spicy and fresh Minang chili sauce, and boiled cassava leaves as a complement. Although its appearance is simple, Ayam Pop has a distinctive taste and is very much liked by many people.
9. Nail Curry
Gulai Paku is a unique dish from West Sumatra that uses paku (fern plant) as its main ingredient. Nails are cooked in thick coconut milk sauce with a mixture of spices such as turmeric, galangal, and lemongrass. It tastes savory with a hint of spiciness from the spices.
Gulai Paku is usually served as a side dish with rice, and is a favorite for those who like vegetables with a different taste. This dish is also often found in traditional Padang rice stalls.
10. Kalio
Kalio is a younger version of rendang with a thick sauce. If rendang is cooked until the sauce dries up and the meat is pitch black, kalio is cooked for a shorter time so that the sauce remains and the color is lighter.
Although the cooking process is faster, kalio still has a strong and savory spice flavor, with a tender meat texture.
Kalio is often the choice for those who want rendang but with a lighter taste and not too dry. This dish is often served in Padang restaurants as a side dish.
West Sumatra is indeed rich in extraordinary cuisine, especially Traditional Food of Padang. Each dish has its own characteristics with a strong blend of herbs and spices.
With the 10 typical foods above, you will feel the richness of the deep flavors from every mouthful. It is no wonder that Minangkabau cuisine is always a favorite in various parts of the world and is one of Indonesia’s culinary prides.
