7 Recommendations for Unique and Must-Try Traditional Foods from Papua

When discussing traditional food from Papua, what immediately comes to mind is sago flour dishes. However, there are still many interesting culinary menus that you can try when visiting Papua. Traditional Papuan food is also rarely sold in other regions, so you must try it when you visit there.

Traditional Papuan food is a very unique culinary attraction because it is rarely found in other regions of Indonesia. The ingredients used may not be common, but they make many people curious to try them. Here are some interesting traditional Papuan foods to try when visiting or on vacation.

Grilled Manokwari Fish

At first glance, it may seem ordinary because grilled fish menus are usually just the same. However, this dish is definitely the safest to try. Usually, the type of fish used is skipjack tuna, which is coated with lime juice. Before grilling, the fish will be seasoned with coarsely ground spices, not soy sauce. This is what makes grilled Manokwari fish worth trying with a plate of warm rice.

Sambal Colo-Colo

This dish can be a companion for lunch or dinner that whets the appetite. Spicy food lovers must try this fresh sambal mixed with lime juice. Of course, sambal colo-colo is also suitable to enjoy with various side dishes, whether fish, stir-fried water spinach, or sweet and sour shrimp. You will definitely want to have more!

Papeda

This traditional dish may be familiar and relatively popular as a dish from Papua. The dish made from sago is usually served with a clear broth and eaten using a bamboo rolling tool known as gata-gata. The side dish often served with it is mackerel or grilled salted fish.

Sago Worm Satay

Yes, here is a culinary dish made from extreme ingredients that is interesting to try. If the main ingredients for satay are usually chicken, beef, or goat meat, this time the satay is made from sago worms. Don't worry, this food is safe to consume and is believed to boost energy because it contains high protein with a hard texture on the outside and soft on the inside.

Rolled Floss Bread

When discussing food for souvenirs, this culinary recommendation is quite popular and also durable to take home. Rolled floss bread is famous from Sorong City with a savory taste that is filling. This snack is usually also sprinkled with sesame, cheese, and various other toppings to enhance its appeal.

Lontar Cake

Still looking for food to take home? You can bring home lontar cake, which comes from the word rontart. Historically, this cake, which resembles Balinese milk pie, was brought by Dutch colonizers. The size of lontar cake is larger than milk pie because it is molded using ceramic plates.

Matoa Fruit Ice

If you want to try a fresh culinary taste, you can try matoa fruit ice. This fruit is also unique because it is rarely found. The taste of matoa fruit is sweet like rambutan and is usually served as a refreshing drink mixed with calamansi, jelly, kolang-kaling, basil seeds, and fragrant pandan leaves. Perfect for enjoying on a hot afternoon.

Read also: List of Traditional Indonesian Foods Made from Corn

Those are various types of traditional Papuan food that should not be missed for you to taste. Don't forget to bring home souvenirs for your family or beloved friends to try!

Author: Rizkita Darajat