Find a list of typical Acehnese foods that you must try, from Mie Aceh, Kuah Pliek U, to Ayam Tangkap. Enjoy the distinctive and rich taste of spices in every typical Acehnese dish!
Aceh, a province located at the western tip of Indonesia, is not only famous for its natural beauty and rich cultural history, but also for its diverse culinary specialties.
Acehnese food has a unique taste, a blend of Middle Eastern, Indian, and Malay influences, resulting in cuisine with a strong taste, rich in spices, and very appetizing.
If you visit Aceh or just want to taste the culinary specialties from this region, here is a List of Acehnese Food Specialties that you must try.
1. Aceh Noodles
Mie Aceh is one of the most popular culinary from Aceh that every visitor must try. This noodle has a thick and chewy texture, served with a thick sauce and rich in spices. There are two types of Mie Aceh, namely Mie Aceh goreng (without sauce) and Mie Aceh kuah (with thick sauce).
Mie Aceh is usually served with slices of beef, goat or seafood such as shrimp or squid. The spices used consist of various spices such as turmeric, cardamom, coriander, and chili, creating a distinctive spicy and savory taste.
Aceh noodles are often served with pickles, crackers, and sliced shallots, which provide a fresh sensation when eaten.
2. Acehnese Savory Rice
For those who want to try the daily food of the Acehnese people, Nasi Gurih Aceh is the perfect choice. Nasi Gurih Aceh is similar to nasi uduk in Java, but has a richer taste because it is cooked with coconut milk and various spices such as pandan leaves, lemongrass, and bay leaves.
Nasi Gurih Aceh is usually served with various side dishes such as boiled eggs, fried fish, chili sauce, fried chicken, and a sprinkling of fragrant fried onions.
The combination of savory rice with various side dishes makes this dish very delicious and suitable to be enjoyed as breakfast or lunch.
3. Pliek U Soup
Kuah Pliek U is one of the traditional dishes typical of Aceh which is often served in traditional events or big celebrations. This dish is a kind of vegetable curry made from a mixture of various vegetables such as melinjo leaves, long beans, young jackfruit, eggplant, and pumpkin.
What makes Kuah Pliek U special is the use of pliek u seasoning, which is fermented coconut dregs, which gives a unique savory taste.
Pliek U sauce is cooked with curry which is rich in spices, such as turmeric, ginger, coriander and garlic. The savory, slightly sour and spicy taste makes Kuah Pliek U a dish that is rich in flavor and very appetizing.
4. Catch Chicken
Ayam Tangkap is one of Aceh’s signature dishes that is very popular among locals and tourists. This dish consists of pieces of chicken fried together with various herbs and spices such as curry leavespandan leaves, shallots, and green chilies.
The frying process with these spices gives a strong fragrant aroma and a savory and crispy taste to the chicken.
Ayam Tangkap is usually served with warm white rice and soy sauce chili sauce, which adds to the deliciousness of this dish. The appearance of Ayam Tangkap is also quite unique because the chicken is served with crispy fried leaves, providing an interesting additional texture.
5. Acehnese Goat Curry
Goat Gulai is one of the most famous dishes in Aceh. This curry has a strong and distinctive taste because it uses various spices such as coriander, cumin, cardamom, and cloves. Goat meat cooked in thick coconut milk sauce produces a delicious and savory taste.
Acehnese Goat Gulai is usually served with white rice and cucumber pickles to provide freshness. This dish is perfect for those of you who like spicy food with a deep savory taste. Many restaurants in Aceh serve this curry as one of their mainstay menus.
6. The Reuboh
Sie Reuboh is a dish of beef or goat boiled with vinegar and spices, then cooked until tender. This dish is one of Aceh’s traditional foods that has been passed down from generation to generation and is often served at family events or big days.
The Sie Reuboh cooking process uses vinegar and spices to give it a distinctive sour, savory and spicy taste.
The tender meat and rich sauce make Sie Reuboh very delicious when served with warm white rice. This dish is usually kept for quite a long time and is even more delicious when eaten the next day.
7. Cane Bread
The Indian and Middle Eastern influences in Acehnese culinary culture are very pronounced in various dishes, one of which is Roti Cane.
Roti Cane is a flatbread that is fried until crispy on the outside but remains soft on the inside. Usually, this bread is served with goat currychicken curry, or richly spiced curry.
Roti Cane is very popular in Aceh and can be enjoyed as breakfast or snack. Its chewy and crunchy texture blends perfectly with the savory and spicy curry sauce. For those of you who like food with a strong spice flavor, Roti Cane is a must-try dish.
8. The community
Keumamah, or often called wooden fish, is one of Aceh’s unique traditional foods. This dish is made from tuna that has been dried and cut into small pieces, then cooked with typical Acehnese spices. This wood fish is cooked with thick coconut milk, chilies, shallots, garlic, and other spices.
Keumamah has a slightly chewy texture and a savory and spicy taste. This dish is very popular because it can last a long time and is often brought as provisions when traveling. Keumamah is usually served with white rice and chili sauce, creating a delicious combination of flavors.
9. Timphan
Moving on to dessert, Timphan is a traditional Acehnese cake that is often served at traditional events or big day celebrations.
Timphan is made from sticky rice flour dough filled with grated coconut cooked with sugar or srikaya, then wrapped in banana leaves and steamed until cooked.
Timphan has a soft texture with a sweet and savory taste from the coconut or srikaya filling. This cake is perfect to be enjoyed as an afternoon snack with tea or coffee. Timphan is also often used as a typical Acehnese souvenir because it tastes good and is easy to carry.
Conclusion
Aceh is a province rich in culinary delights with unique and delicious flavors. From the spicy and savory Mie Aceh, to the sweet and soft Timphan, each Lampung Specialty Food List offers an unforgettable culinary experience.
If you visit Aceh, be sure to try its various mouth-watering culinary delights. The deliciousness of these foods not only pampers the tongue, but also introduces you to the richness of Aceh’s diverse culture.
