Sumatran food

Sumatran food is traditionally very spicy with lots of chilli, lemon grass, ginger, garlic and coriander. Some of the spiciest food in all of Indonesian is the Padangese food from Padang in West Sumatra.

Sumatra Chicken Curry

Beef Randang or Rendang is a dry beef curry which is quite spicy but delicious with the most tender beef pieces. See recipe.

Soto is a traditional Sumatran noodle soup very similar to a Laksa with coconut milk and spices. usually served with Ayam (chicken). See recipe.

Sumatra Chicken Curry (pictured above) is a colourful dish with a fresh flavour with the combination of coriander, chilli, ginger and lime. Click here for the Sumatran Chicken Curry recipe.

West Sumatran Fish Curry. See recipe.

Bubur jagung is a popular dessert made with corn which can be served hot or cold. See recipe.

Sambal is Indonesia chilli paste and is used in many different dishes or added to noddle soups while eating. See recipe.

Durian Sambal is an old Sumatra dish combining the unusual flavour of the Durian fruit and spicy chilies. See recipe.

Nasi Goreng and Mie Goreng are almost part of the staple diet of Indonesians and Sumatrans. 

Ayam Tangkap - Achenese, a spicy chicken dish cooked without coconut milk like the Padangese food.

Gulai Merah (Red Short Ribs Of Beef)

Bawang goreng is fried, dried onions and is used extensively for garnishing Indonesian food like Nasi goreng or soups.

Ayam Kacang Bukkitinggi - Peanut Chicken

Ayam gooreng (fried chicken) is traditional all over Indonesia but especially tasty in Sumatra.

Gulai Daun Singkong Tumbuk Grilled Fish with Green vegetables

Gulai Merah (Red Short Ribs Of Beef)

Rujak (Pungent Fruit Salad)

The majority of Sumatrans are muslim so there is very little pork available although in the larger cities like Medan it is available in Chinese restaurants. The Batak people around Lake Toba are mostly Christians so you can get some excellent pork dishes there.

Last updated 7th March 2009

Sate Chicken

Sumatra Indonesia  Travel Guide