Have you ever wondered what kind of local food is in North Sumatra? If you ever visit this island, you will realize that most of their local food is spicy. Even so, they have a delicious taste that can hardly to forget that look similar to some of the spiciest dishes in West Sumatra.
Such as other typical Indonesian traditional food, local food in North Sumatra is commonly rich in spices and herbs. As the country becomes one of the biggest sources of both spices and herbs that makes it riches the taste of the food.
If you are wondering what kind of local food in North Sumatra is worth trying, here we have some of them on the list below. Let’s check them out!
1. Arsik
Arsik is one of the most popular local food in North Sumatra that is worth trying. It is a type of fish that is cooked properly using turmeric, lemongrass, ginger, galangal, Indonesian chili pepper, and fish water of Ikan Mas as the main ingredient.
The taste of Arsik is a combination of sweet, spicy, acidy, and a bit savory inside. The texture of the goldfish is so tender and juicy enough to chew. It is perfect to serve with a plate of warm rice for lunch.
The unique taste of Arsik comes from the local ginger, which is commonly local call it Asam Cikala. They also use an Andaliman, a typical Indonesian Szechuan pepper that only grows around Batak highland in the north of Tapanuli and Samosir Island.
2. Mie Gomak
Mie Gomak is one of the most popular local food in North Sumatra that is worth trying. It is a kind of Indonesian noodle dish that is made from Mie Lidi, which is commonly local call it as the Batak Italian spaghetti.
Mie Gomak is commonly perfect to consume for breakfast in the morning. There are two typical ways to cook this kind of noodles which you can choose as it stirs fry of Mie Gomak or a soup of Mie Gomak.
Such as the Arsik, and Mie Gomak also uses the Andaliman as their iconic peppers that can only find in Batak highland.
3. Na Niura
Na Niura is one of the most popular local food in North Sumatra that is worth trying. It is a kind of Sashimi in Japan but you can find it in Batak tribe cuisine. It is made from fresh fish water of the Naniura fish which is different from some of the most common food in Indonesia.
Na Niura is served without cooking the fish, which makes it looks similar to Sashimi. Even so, Bataknese serves the fish using some spices and herbs such as Andaliman, Unte Jungga, or local Batak’s tamarind, and other spices.
Na Niura has a combination taste of spicy and a bit savory. This kind of fish is commonly served at the Bona Taon ceremony or other occasional family meetings.
4. Na Tinombur
Na Tinombur is one of the most popular local food in North Sumatra that is worth trying. It looks similar to the Na Niura but this kind of fish is served roasted over hot charcoal.
Na Tinombur is another type of local fish that only live in Toba Lake, such as Na Niura. This kind of fish is commonly cooked with similar herbs and spices that are used to cook Na Niura. They also used the Andaliman as their main spices.
5. Dali Ni Horbo
Dali Ni Horbo is one of the most popular local food in North Sumatra that is worth trying. It is a kind of traditional cheese from the Batak tribe that is made from buffalo milk cooked traditionally using the water of pineapple and water of papaya leaf.
Dali Ni Horbo has a soft texture that is similar to tofu. Bataknese commonly cooked them with Arsik to get a more delicious taste to consume. You can find this kind of food in the Tapanuli area around their typical traditional market in Indonesia.
6. Saksang
Saksang is one of the most popular local food in North Sumatra that is worth trying. It is a kind of minced pork that is cooked properly using some local spices and herbs characteristic of Indonesian cuisines such as Andaliman, kaffir lime, turmeric, bay leaves, and many more.
Some people in Batak also use buffalo meat as the main ingredient. Since buffalo meat lately can be hard to get, people also change it to pork. It becomes the obligatory food that should be served for wedding ceremonies in the Batak tribe.
Saksang is a traditional food that represents a celebration for the Batak tribe. Nowadays, you can try this kind of food not only at the wedding ceremony but also in some restaurants in Batak, such as in Lapo.
7. Ayam Napinadar
Ayam Napinadar is one of the most popular local food in North Sumatra that is worth trying. It is a kind of chicken that is cooked properly using some spices and herbs such as the Andaliman and other spices as well.
The most unique way to cooked Ayam Napinadar is the use of fresh chicken blood. The food is commonly served for the custom cultural ceremony in the Batak tribe family. Ayam Napinadar is also believed by locals as the capable food that brings prayers to the god.
8. Bihun Bebek
Bihun Bebek is one of the most popular local food in North Sumatra that is worth trying. It is a kind of noodle glass that is cooked properly using duck meat as the topping. It has a savory taste that looks similar to a common noodle soup in Indonesia.
You can find Bihun Bebek in some restaurants in Medan. It becomes a favorite culinary food in Medan.
So, there are some of the most popular local food in North Sumatra that is worth trying. Have you ever tried them all?
