Banyuwangi, a hidden gem in Indonesia, offers a unique and diverse culinary scene that's waiting to be explored. From the traditional Javanese cuisine to the Arab and Chinese influences, the flavors of Banyuwangi are a feast for the senses.

In this article, we'll take you on a culinary journey and introduce you to the Top 9 Traditional Culinary Must-Try  inBanyuwangi. Get ready to tantalize your taste buds with these exquisite dishes.

1. Rujak Soto

Rujak Soto @BanyuwangiKab

In Banyuwangi, fusion cuisine is seen in the popular dish of Rujak Soto, which combines two beloved dishes, rujak and soto. The combination of these two dishes creates a new dimension of flavor, providing a double dose of deliciousness with every bite.

The soto broth is a thick and savory blend of garlic, lime, lemongrass, ginger, and beef broth that coats the meat with a thin layer of fat, enhancing the overall taste.

The broth not only adds flavor but also envelops the ingredients, melting all the flavors together. Meanwhile, the rujak adds a different dimension of taste with its fresh fruit, peanut sauce mixed with petis, and a slow-building spiciness that bursts with flavor.

The rujak provides a refreshing and spicy sensation, while the soto is rich with savory and delectable flavors. Finally, the dish is topped with fried onions and celery, adding an extra punch of flavor.

Rujak Soto @BanyuwangiKab

Main ingredients include chicken, peanuts, stone bananas to thicken the sauce, and palm sugar.

Here are some favorite locations to find Rujak Soto in Banyuwangi:

2. Sego Tempong

Sego Tempong by Rahmat Ramadhan

Do you love spicy sambal? Don't be too quick to call yourself a spicy food champion before trying sego tempong.

As its name suggests, sego means rice in Javanese, and tempong means a slap. This means that when you eat it, you'll feel like you're being slapped with its intense spiciness.

However, the spiciness of sego tempong is different. Just try dipping a piece of cucumber or tofu in the sambal, and you'll immediately feel the heat without any delay.

It's a truly fresh and bold spicy flavor that spreads evenly throughout your mouth. The sensation of the sambal's taste is attributed to its recipe composition, which includes tomatoes, chili, and a small, wavy fruit called "ranti." This fruit is a secret ingredient that gives sambal tempong its unique flavor.

Main ingredients include chili, ranti, and roasted terasi (shrimp paste).

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by 𝗔𝗡𝗗𝗥𝗘𝗔𝗦 𝗗 𝗦𝗘𝗧𝗜𝗔𝗪𝗔𝗡 - Foodies (@andreyongz)

Here are some favorite locations to find Sego Tempong in Banyuwangi:

3. Sego Cawuk

Sego Cawuk by @BanyuwangiKab

Sego Cawuk is a plate of steamed rice served with a delicious and aromatic broth made from fish, turmericm grated young coconut mixed with spices, grilled young corn kernels, and small pieces of cucumber.

Nasi cawuk can be enjoyed with various side dishes, such as tofu, tempeh, fried chicken, or boiled eggs. If you want to savor this local delicacy, travelers must hunt for it in the morning. Typically, by 10:00 a.m., the rice is already sold out.

When eaten, the clear and sweet broth mixes with the savory grated coconut, and a small burst of spiciness is scattered throughout the dish. The spiciness is not the main sensation in nasi cawuk, but rather the delicious broth and diverse rice accompaniments.

The legendary seller of nasi cawuk is named Mak Mantih, who is 73 years old and runs her stall in Rogojampi Village, approximately 15 kilometers south of the city center.

To taste this dish, travelers need to head to Mak Mantih's stall in Rogojampi Village in the morning.

Main ingredients include grated young coconut, grilled young corn kernels, and cucumber.

Here are some favorite locations to find Sego Cawuk in Banyuwangi:


4. Pecel Pitik

Pecel Pitik is a flavorful and spicy chicken dish that's a must-try in Banyuwangi. It's made from grilled or fried chicken that's marinated in a spicy peanut sauce.

The sauce is made from roasted peanuts, chili, garlic, and other spices. Pecel Pitik is usually served with steamed rice and vegetables such as cucumber and bean sprouts. It's a perfect dish for anyone who loves spicy food.

The pecel in this dish is made from grated young coconut, combined with ground peanuts and a blend of spices, such as fried candlenut, red chili, bird's eye chili, and a splash of lime juice for added flavor.

All these ingredients are mixed with a special chicken that cannot be just any chicken - only 8-month-old village chickens are used to create this dish. The chicken is cut and grilled to maintain the unique taste of young chicken meat.

Even though it is grilled, the pecel pitik remains tender and juicy, with a soft texture that easily absorbs the flavors of the spices. Anyone can enjoy this dish without much effort.

However, pecel pitik is only available on special days during the Using tribe's traditional events. Nevertheless, tourists who want to taste this delicious dish can visit Kemiren Traditional Village.

Main ingredients include young chicken, coconut, and fried candlenut.

Here are some favorite locations to find Pecel Pitik in Banyuwangi:

5. Grilled fish

Photo by Clint Bustrillos / Unsplash

Grilled fish is a staple in Banyuwangi and can be easily found at the Plengsengan Culinary Tourist area. Here, at Plengsengan, visitors can enjoy a variety of well-known grilled fish restaurants.

With a view of Bali Island in the distance, the experience of savoring grilled fish at Plengsengan or Boom Beach is made even more delightful by the gentle sea breeze.

The types of fish available are varied, ranging from red snapper, white snapper, tambak moncong, tambak pasir, grouper, ayam ayam fish, squid, crabs, shrimp, to rajungan and many more.

The availability of fish is dependent on the season and the catch. Fish are sold by the kilogram and can be enjoyed in groups or as individual servings.

The fish are marinated in a special blend of garlic, shallots, chili, soy sauce, and kaffir lime, then grilled over wood fire to ensure every inch of the fish is infused with the delicious flavors.

Here are some favorite locations to find Grilled Fish in Banyuwangi:

6. Sego Lemeng

If you're a foodie looking for a unique culinary experience, look no further than lemang rice bamboo. This traditional dish, which is commonly found in Southeast Asia also exists in Banyuwangi, is made by cooking glutinous rice with coconut milk inside a hollowed-out bamboo stalk.

The result is a deliciously fragrant and slightly smoky rice dish that pairs perfectly with meat dishes, curries, and spicy sauces.

To make lemang, the bamboo stalk is first cleaned and soaked in water for several hours to prevent it from burning during the cooking process. Next, the glutinous rice is washed and mixed with coconut milk and salt before being stuffed into the bamboo stalk.

The stalk is then placed over an open fire and cooked until the rice is fully cooked and infused with the smoky flavor of the bamboo.

Lemang is commonly served during festive occasions such as weddings, religious festivals, and harvest festivals. In Indonesia, lemang is often served with grilled or fried chicken, beef, or fish, and a side of sambal, a spicy chili sauce.

One of the unique features of lemang is its texture. The combination of coconut milk and glutinous rice gives it a sticky and chewy texture, while the smoky flavor from the bamboo adds an extra dimension of flavor.

The taste and aroma of the dish are unlike anything else, and the experience of eating rice cooked inside a bamboo stalk is truly unique.

If you are looking for this experience please contact:
Ilham Agus +62 852-3717-1500 as admin of Banjar Sweet Village  https://www.instagram.com/banjarsweetvillage/

7. Pecel Rawon

Pecel Rawon is a delicious and aromatic beef soup that's a favorite among locals in Banyuwangi. The soup features a unique black color that comes from the use of keluak, a type of nut that's native to Indonesia.

The nut is boiled, pounded, and mixed with other ingredients such as beef, lemongrass, and chili to create a rich and flavorful broth. Pecel Rawon is usually served with steamed rice and side dishes such as boiled egg and bean sprouts.

Main Ingredients: • Chicken • Coconut milk • Lesser galangal • Greater galangal

Here are some favorite locations to find Rawon Pecel in Banyuwangi:

8. Ayam Kesrut

Ayam Kesrut is a traditional culinary dish from Banyuwangi, Indonesia. It consists of sliced chicken in a spicy broth made from a simple blend of ingredients such as red and bird's eye chili, belimbing wuluh (a type of sour fruit), shallots, scallions, shrimp paste, sugar, and salt.

The combination of flavors creates a savory, tangy, sweet, and spicy taste that is very delicious. Ayam Kesrut is often compared to the popular Indonesian soup dish, Sayur Asem.

The dish has been around since colonial times and is a favorite among locals and tourists alike. The Ayam Kesrut Kanggo Riko is a legendary food stall that has been serving this dish for over 40 years and is a must-visit spot in Banyuwangi.

Here are some favorite locations to find Ayam Kesrut in Banyuwangi:

9. Pindang Koyong

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Salim Mohammad Syamlan (@salimozddesyamlanos)

Pindang koyong may look similar to fish soup, but its fresh taste is unmatched. The refreshing taste of pindang koyong comes from its unique blend of seasonings. The mixture includes salt, sugar, pepper, bird's eye chili, shallots, garlic, galangal, lemongrass, ginger, turmeric, candlenut, lime leaves, and bilimbi fruit.

The bilimbing fruit not only eliminates the fishy smell but also adds a fresh taste to the broth and fish. The fish texture is also tender and smooth as it is boiled in hot water. The seasoning ingredients also penetrate the fish deeply as the fish pieces are cooked together with the seasonings over low heat for a long time.

Here are some favorite locations to find Pindang Koyong in Banyuwangi:

Banyuwangi is a destination that's not only known for its stunning natural beauty but also for its unique and diverse culinary culture. The Top 9 Traditional Culinary Must-Try Banyuwangi that we've introduced in this article are just a small sample of the many exquisite dishes that this destination has to offer.

From the refreshing Rujak Soto to the savory Ayam Kesrut, these dishes are bound to leave a lasting impression on your taste buds. So, if you're planning a trip to Banyuwangi, make sure to indulge in the local cuisine and discover the flavors of Indonesia's hidden gem.