25 Popular and Delicious Makassar Specialties!

Makassar is not only famous for its stunning tourist destinations but also rich in delicious cuisine that tempts the palate. Each traditional Makassar dish has a unique flavor filled with spices and local authenticity. For those visiting Makassar, don't miss the chance to taste 25 of its signature dishes. Check out the complete details below!

1. Coto Makassar

Coto Makassar is a legendary dish from Plat DD or the Makassar city area. Beef and offal cooked in a thick, spice-filled broth are incredibly appetizing. The broth is made from ground peanuts mixed with various spices like coriander, cumin, and galangal, providing a complex and delicious flavor. It is usually served with ketupat or buras (a traditional Makassar rice cake), and you can add a squeeze of lime for a fresh touch. No wonder Coto Makassar is often sought after by both local and international tourists!

2. Palumara

For seafood lovers, Palumara is the perfect choice. This dish consists of red snapper cooked in a fresh yellow broth, dominated by a sour taste from tamarind and a hint of spiciness. Besides snapper, other types of fish can also be used according to taste. Its rich spiced broth combined with the soft texture of the fish provides a unique culinary experience. Palumara is often enjoyed with warm white rice, making it one of the comfort foods that are hard to resist when visiting Makassar.

3. Sop Ubi

Sop Ubi Makassar is a rather unique dish because its main ingredient is sweet potato. Unlike regular soups, this soup combines boiled sweet potatoes with bean sprouts, vermicelli, beef or chicken, and boiled eggs, then topped with a savory broth. The sweet potato adds a different texture, making each bite richer and more satisfying. The addition of fried shallots and a squeeze of lime makes this soup even more tempting. Don't hesitate to try it, especially when you're looking for a warm dish in Makassar.

4. Sop Konro

Sop Konro is a traditional dish from Makassar, South Sulawesi that uses beef ribs as its main ingredient. The ribs are boiled until tender in a rich spiced broth, with kluwek as one of its signature spices. The broth is dark and has a strong flavor, characteristic of spices like cinnamon, cloves, coriander, and cumin. This soup is usually served with ketupat or warm white rice, along with sambal that adds a spicy sensation. For meat lovers, Sop Konro is a paradise in Makassar!

5. Pallubasa

Pallubasa is often considered the "sibling" of Coto Makassar, but with some striking differences. This dish uses beef and offal cooked in a thicker, richer broth due to the addition of roasted coconut. Besides spices, Pallubasa is also served with a sprinkle of serundeng (toasted grated coconut) that adds a crunchy texture and richer flavor. Usually, Pallubasa is also served with a raw egg added directly to the hot broth, making it creamier. Don't forget to try it with buras!

6. Sop Saudara

Sop Saudara is a nutritious dish that combines many ingredients in one bowl. The main components of Sop Saudara usually consist of beef or chicken, along with crispy fried lungs, soft potatoes, and chewy vermicelli. This dish is even more complete with the addition of grilled fish on the side. Its savory and rich spiced broth is perfect to be enjoyed with warm white rice. With various textures and flavors in one serving, Sop Saudara offers a satisfying culinary experience.

7. Bebek Palekko

Bebek Palekko is one of Makassar's signature dishes known for its spiciness. The duck used in this dish is cooked with strong spices, including bird's eye chili, resulting in a biting spicy flavor that is still delicious. The spice mixture not only seeps into the meat but also blends perfectly with the thick broth usually served with white rice. For those who love spicy food, Bebek Palekko will surely be a favorite!

8. Songkolo Bagadang

If you want to enjoy traditional dishes at night, Songkolo Bagadang is the answer. Songkolo is black or white sticky rice served with toasted grated coconut, giving it a distinctive savory flavor. The side dishes include fried anchovies, salted eggs, and spicy sambal that provide a perfect balance of savory, salty, and spicy. This dish is commonly enjoyed as a nighttime meal, especially after staying up late, hence the nickname "bagadang."

9. Es Pisang Ijo

Not only heavy meals, Makassar also has a famous dessert, one of which is Es Pisang Ijo. Ripe kepok bananas wrapped in green flour batter are served with a savory coconut sauce, accompanied by refreshing sweet red syrup. The cold sensation from the ice adds to the freshness of this dish, making it a perfect choice to enjoy on a hot day. Es Pisang Ijo is the perfect combination of sweet, savory, and chewy, which will surely make you addicted.

10. Es Palu Butung

Es Palu Butung is another variation of traditional Makassar ice that uses bananas as its main ingredient. Boiled bananas are cut into pieces and served with thick, sweet coconut sauce. The addition of ice and sweet syrup makes it even more refreshing. Es Palu Butung is often served as a dessert that is very suitable after enjoying heavy meals. Its sweet and fresh taste will surely delight your palate!

11. Juku Pallu Ce’La

Juku Pallu Ce’La is a fish dish cooked with yellow spices, one of the must-try culinary specialties of Makassar. The fish commonly used is skipjack or tuna, with the yellow spices flavor perfectly absorbed into the fish meat. It is usually served with chopped young mango that adds a fresh sour taste, enhancing the complexity of flavors. This dish is perfect to be enjoyed with warm rice, making it one of the favorite seafood dishes in Makassar.

12. Gogoso

Gogoso is a traditional snack similar to lemper, made from sticky rice wrapped in banana leaves and grilled. The grilling process gives it a distinctive aroma that is hard to forget. It is usually served with side dishes like salted eggs or sambal, making this dish even more complete. The chewy texture of the sticky rice and the savory flavor of the filling make Gogoso a perfect snack in the morning or afternoon.

13. Barongko

Barongko is one of the traditional dessert dishes of Makassar made from mashed bananas. The bananas are then mixed with eggs, coconut milk, and sugar, wrapped in banana leaves, and steamed. Its