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Surabaya is not only known as the City of Heroes, but also as one of the best cities in East Java for food lovers. If you are planning a city tour, looking for a local food recommendation in Surabaya, or simply wondering what to eat during your visit, the city offers many delicious local dishes worth trying.
From savory soups and peanut-sauce dishes to fried duck and unique traditional snacks, there are many types of traditional food in Surabaya that reflect the city’s rich culture and bold flavors. Whether you are visiting Surabaya before going to Mount Bromo, staying for a short stopover, or exploring the city for a full day, tasting Surabaya local food is a must.
Must-Try Foods in Surabaya
1. Soto
Soto is one of the most popular comfort foods in Indonesia, and Surabaya is a great place to try it. This warm soup is usually made with chicken or beef, served with rice, boiled egg, fresh herbs, and a flavorful broth.
One of the most common versions you will find is soto ayam, a yellow chicken soup with turmeric-based broth. It tastes light but rich, making it suitable for breakfast, lunch, or dinner. Some places also serve soto with koya, a powder made from shrimp crackers and garlic, which makes the soup thicker and more savory.
2. Tahu Tek
Tahu Tek is one of the most famous dishes in Surabaya. It is made from fried tofu, lontong or rice cake, bean sprouts, cucumber, and sometimes potato. The dish is then covered with a thick peanut sauce mixed with petis, a fermented shrimp paste that gives it a strong and unique flavor.
The name “tek” is often said to come from the sound of scissors used by sellers when cutting the ingredients. This simple street food has a very local taste and is loved by many Surabaya residents.
If you want to try real Surabaya local food, Tahu Tek should be on your list. The flavor is savory, slightly sweet, nutty, and rich because of the petis sauce.
3. Tahu Campur
Tahu Campur is another tofu-based dish, but it is different from Tahu Tek. This dish usually includes tofu, beef slices, lettuce, noodles, bean sprouts, lentho or fried cassava cake, and a tasty beef broth. It is also served with petis sauce, giving it a strong Surabaya-style flavor.
The combination of broth, tofu, vegetables, and petis makes Tahu Campur both filling and flavorful. It is a good option if you want something heavier than a snack but not too complicated.
For travelers exploring traditional food in Surabaya, Tahu Campur is a great example of how local ingredients can create a bold and memorable dish.
4. Rujak Cingur
Rujak Cingur is one of the most unique traditional dishes from Surabaya. The word “cingur” means cow snout, which is one of the main ingredients in the original version. It is usually mixed with vegetables, fruits, tofu, tempeh, and a thick sauce made from petis, peanuts, chili, and other spices.
The taste is very distinctive. It can be sweet, spicy, savory, and slightly strong at the same time. Because of this, Rujak Cingur may feel unusual for first-time visitors, but it is one of the most authentic dishes you can try in Surabaya.
5. Sate Klopo
Sate Klopo is a special type of satay from Surabaya. Unlike regular satay, the meat is coated with grated coconut before being grilled. This gives the satay a richer aroma and a slightly crispy texture on the outside.
The meat can be beef, chicken, or sometimes other cuts, depending on the seller. It is usually served with peanut sauce, rice cake, sliced shallots, and chili. The grated coconut makes the flavor more fragrant and different from common satay found in other cities.
6. Bebek Goreng
Bebek Goreng, or fried duck, is very popular in Surabaya and East Java. The duck is usually seasoned with rich spices, cooked until tender, and then fried until the outside becomes crispy. It is commonly served with rice, sambal, cucumber, and fresh vegetables.
What makes Bebek Goreng special is the combination of crispy skin, tender meat, and spicy sambal. Some restaurants serve it with black seasoning or extra spicy chili sauce, creating a strong and satisfying flavor.
7. Rawon
Rawon is a famous black beef soup from East Java and one of the most iconic dishes in the region. Its dark color comes from keluak, a special ingredient that gives the soup a deep, earthy flavor. The dish is usually served with rice, bean sprouts, salted egg, sambal, and crackers.
The flavor of Rawon is rich but not too heavy. It is warm, aromatic, and very satisfying, especially for lunch or dinner. Many travelers are surprised by its dark appearance at first, but once they taste it, Rawon often becomes one of their favorite Indonesian dishes.
8. Pecel Semanggi
Pecel Semanggi is a traditional dish that is closely associated with Surabaya. It is made with semanggi leaves, a type of local clover, and served with a special sauce made from sweet potato, peanuts, and spices. The dish is usually eaten with crispy crackers.
Compared to other dishes on this list, Pecel Semanggi is lighter and more unique. It has a traditional taste that may be difficult to find outside Surabaya. This makes it a special dish for travelers who want to try something local and different.
9. Lontong Balap
Lontong Balap is another famous traditional food from Surabaya. It consists of lontong, bean sprouts, tofu, lentho, fried shallots, and a light savory broth. It is often served with sambal and sometimes enjoyed with sate kerang or shellfish satay.
The name “balap” means racing, and there are several stories about how the dish got its name. Regardless of the origin, Lontong Balap remains one of the most well-known local dishes in the city.
This dish is simple, affordable, and full of texture. The bean sprouts give it freshness, while the lentho adds a crunchy and savory element. If you want a classic Surabaya food recommendation, Lontong Balap is definitely worth trying.
10. Nasi Krawu
Nasi Krawu is originally more associated with Gresik, a city near Surabaya, but it is also easy to find in and around Surabaya. The dish consists of rice served with shredded beef, coconut serundeng, sambal, and sometimes beef offal or other side dishes.
The flavor is savory, slightly sweet, and spicy depending on the sambal. The shredded beef and coconut topping make it rich and satisfying. It is commonly eaten for breakfast or lunch, but you can enjoy it at any time of day.
Even though it is not originally from Surabaya city itself, Nasi Krawu is still a great addition to a culinary trip in the area, especially if you want to explore more East Java flavors.
Tips for Enjoying Surabaya Local Food
If it is your first time trying local dishes in Surabaya, start with familiar options like Soto, Rawon, Bebek Goreng, or Sate Klopo. These dishes are easier to enjoy for most travelers. After that, you can try stronger and more unique flavors such as Rujak Cingur, Tahu Tek, or Tahu Campur.
Many traditional dishes in Surabaya use petis, a fermented shrimp paste with a strong savory taste. It is one of the key ingredients that makes Surabaya cuisine different from food in other Indonesian cities. If you are not used to strong flavors, try a small portion first.
Also, do not forget to ask about the spice level. Some Surabaya local food can be quite spicy, especially dishes served with sambal. You can usually request less chili if you prefer a milder taste.
Book Surabaya City Tour in CheapBromo
If you are joining a Surabaya city tour or Surabaya shore excursion, you can include one or two food stops in your itinerary. This makes your trip more enjoyable because you are not only visiting historical places and landmarks, but also tasting the local flavors that make Surabaya special.
