10 Famous and Delicious Traditional Foods from Medan, Must Try!

Medan, a city with rich cultural diversity, has a tantalizing culinary scene. The blend of Batak, Malay, Minang, Javanese, and Chinese cultures results in dishes with distinctive and unique flavors. If you are planning a culinary trip to Medan, here are recommendations for famous traditional Medan foods that are a must-try!

1. Soto Medan

Soto Medan offers a different sensation from other sotos in Indonesia. The thick coconut milk broth with a yellowish-green color is a hallmark of this dish. Strong spices like turmeric, lemongrass, and bay leaves blend with the coconut milk, creating a tempting savory flavor. The fillings of the soto vary, from chicken, beef, to shrimp, making it a dish that is not only delicious but also rich in nutrition. No wonder, Soto Medan is popular in various regions as one of the best sotos in Indonesia.

2. Bihun Bebek

Bihun Bebek is a special dish that should not be missed when culinary exploring in Medan. Unlike regular bihun, this dish uses a strong and flavorful duck broth as the base. The soft bihun combines with tender duck meat, creating a perfect harmony in every bite. The warmth of the broth and the distinctive aroma of duck make this bihun very satisfying. This dish is perfect for lunch or dinner.

3. Dali Ni Horbo

Dali Ni Horbo is a unique food from BK plate or the Batak tribe in Medan, made from buffalo milk. This food is traditionally processed, where buffalo milk is boiled and mixed with the juice of papaya or pineapple leaves to reduce the fishy smell and create a thicker texture. The savory and slightly sour taste of the processed milk makes Dali Ni Horbo a unique dish that differs from other milk-based dishes. Usually, Dali Ni Horbo is served with warm rice and andaliman sambal, a typical Batak spice that provides a fresh spicy sensation.

4. Sayur Gurih Tauco

Sayur Gurih Tauco is a typical Medan dish that combines thick coconut milk with tauco spices, creating a very distinctive savory and slightly spicy flavor. The rich spiced broth contains various vegetables such as long beans, chayote, and eggplant, served with white rice. This dish has a complex flavor, resulting from the combination of tauco, coconut milk, and local spices like galangal, bay leaves, and chili. Sayur Gurih Tauco is perfect for lunch because of its warming taste.

5. Bika Ambon

Although its name is Bika Ambon, this market snack actually originates from Medan, not Ambon. The uniqueness of Bika Ambon lies in its soft and hollow texture, resulting from natural fermentation using sap water. This lengthy fermentation process enriches the flavor of Bika Ambon, making it even more delicious and sweet. Made from a mixture of sago flour, coconut milk, sugar, and eggs, this cake is perfect as a snack or a typical Medan souvenir. The enticing aroma when baked makes Bika Ambon always appealing to tourists.

6. Lemang

Lemang is a traditional Medan dish made from glutinous rice and coconut milk, then cooked in bamboo over an open fire. This unique cooking process gives lemang a distinctive aroma, different from other glutinous rice preparations. Its texture is soft, with a savory flavor from the coconut milk that seeps perfectly into the rice. Lemang is often served with side dishes like rendang or serundeng, making it a filling and delicious meal. In Medan, lemang is often served as a special dish on festive occasions.

7. Durian Ucok

If you are a durian lover, then Durian Ucok must be on your list of culinary delights to try in Medan. Durian Ucok is known for its extraordinary durian quality; the flesh is thick, soft, and has a very strong sweet flavor. This place has even become a favorite destination for tourists wanting to enjoy the best durian in Medan. Durian Ucok is usually eaten fresh, but it can also be enjoyed in various processed forms like durian pancakes or durian ice cream that are equally delicious.

8. Ikan Arsik

Ikan Arsik is a traditional Batak dish that is very famous in Medan. The main ingredients are carp or catfish seasoned with typical Batak spices such as andaliman, garlic, shallots, turmeric, and lemongrass. The savory taste of the fish and the spices that seep into the meat make Ikan Arsik very delicious when enjoyed with warm white rice. Additionally, the use of andaliman as the main spice gives a fresh and unique spicy sensation on the tongue.

9. Mie Gomak

Mie Gomak is often referred to as Batak-style spaghetti because of its thick and long noodle shape, resembling spaghetti. This noodle is made from sago flour, giving it a chewy and slightly sticky texture. Mie Gomak is served with a broth or peanut sauce rich in spices like turmeric, garlic, and andaliman. This dish is usually served in large portions, making it suitable for those looking for a filling meal. The deliciousness of Mie Gomak lies in the combination of the chewy noodle texture with the enticing Batak spices.

10. Nasi Kentut

Nasi Kentut, although its name sounds unique, is one of the most sought-after traditional dishes in Medan. This rice is wrapped in kentut leaves (sembukan leaves) that give off a fragrant aroma when burned. This burning process adds a savory flavor to the rice, which is paired with side dishes like anchovies, fried chicken, or