Nganjuk is a city located in East Java, Indonesia that has many specialties that cannot be found anywhere else. From delicious foods to exciting tourist destinations, Nganjuk has it all. In this post, we will explore some of the best things Nganjuk has to offer.
10 Specialties of Nganjuk
Nganjuk is known for its distinctive cuisine that can satisfy every palate. Here are some of the famous delicacies you must try:
1. Sate Ayam Empuk Mbah Karto
What is it?
Sate Ayam Empuk Mbah Karto is a traditional food made from sliced chicken meat, marinated in the local spices. Then, it is grilled to perfection with bamboo skewers.
Why try it?
This dish is perfect for those who love meat skewers. It’s juicy, tender, and the blend of spices makes it an unforgettable delicacy.
The benefits
Chicken meat is a good source of protein that can be beneficial for building muscles, repairing tissues and promoting healing of the body’s cells.
Ideas
You can enjoy Sate Ayam Empuk Mbah Karto with some lontong (rice cake) or rice for a simple but satisfying meal.
How to make it at home
To make Sate Ayam Empuk Mbah Karto at home, marinate chicken pieces in a mixture of soy sauce, brown sugar, garlic, and the local spices. Grill the marinated chicken skewers on a grill or charcoal fire and enjoy.
Tips
It is best to use a bamboo skewer to grill the sate to retain the real taste and fragrance.
2. Nasi Pecel Madiun
What is it?
Nasi Pecel Madiun is one of the most popular dishes served with fried chicken, anchovies, peanuts, and steamed vegetables. The rice is put on top of banana leaves and served with peanut sauce.
Why try it?
It is a unique dish, and the combination of the peanut sauce and rice will awaken your taste buds. The spices and flavors used in this dish make it an irresistible delicacy.
The benefits
The vegetables in the dish contain vitamins, minerals and antioxidants that can help in maintaining a healthy body.
Ideas
Enjoy Nasi Pecel Madiun with a glass of sweet, iced tea to add a refreshing kick to your meal.
How to make it at home
To make Nasi Pecel Madiun at home, combine peanuts, red chili peppers, garlic, tamarind, and sugar in a food processor to make the peanut sauce. Cook the rice and steam the vegetables. Then, serve them on a plate with the peanut sauce.
Tips
Make sure the peanut sauce has the right consistency, not too thick or too thin. You can add water or sugar if needed.
3. Tahu Telor Nganjuk
What is it?
Tahu Telor Nganjuk is a dish that is made from tofu and eggs, fried until crispy and then topped with bean sprouts, cucumber, and a special sweet peanut sauce.
Why try it?
The combination of the crispy eggs and soft tofu served with the sweet peanut sauce makes it an appetizing dish that is perfect for breakfast or any meal of the day.
The benefits
The protein and minerals in eggs and tofu can help in bone and tissue formation and repair in the body.
Ideas
You can enjoy Tahu Telor Nganjuk with some white rice for a simple and hearty meal.
How to make it at home
To make Tahu Telor Nganjuk at home, combine eggs, rice flour, and tofu, then fry it until crispy. Add some bean sprouts and cucumber to the plate, and top it with the sweet peanut sauce.
Tips
Make sure the oil is hot enough when frying the tofu and eggs to ensure that it will be crispy.
4. Asinan Diempuk Nganjuk
What is it?
Asinan Diempuk Nganjuk is an Indonesian-style fruit salad with red bean sprouts, cucumber, pineapple, and other fruits mixed with a tangy and spicy sauce made from vinegar, sugar, chili, and salt.
Why try it?
The combination of sweet and spicy flavors of the sauce, coupled with the juicy fruits, is a refreshing snack that will cool you down in the hot weather.
The benefits
The fruits in the dish provide a good source of vitamins and minerals essential to maintain healthy skin, boost the immune system, and promote good digestion.
Ideas
You can serve Asinan Diempuk Nganjuk as an appetizer or side dish at a summer BBQ or picnic.
How to make it at home
To make Asinan Diempuk Nganjuk at home, cut some fruits and vegetables of your choice, prepare the sauce, and mix them all together!
Tips
Make sure to chill the fruits and vegetables before making the dish to keep it cold and refreshing.
5. Ketan Durian Nganjuk
What is it?
Ketan Durian Nganjuk is a dessert made from glutinous rice and durian mixed together to form a sweet and savory mixture.
Why try it?
If you’re a fan of durian, then this dish is a must-try! It’s sweet, flavorful, and provides a unique experience as it combines two of the most popular Indonesian foods.
The benefits
Durian is a good source of fiber, vitamins, and minerals such as iron, potassium, and manganese, which are essential for good health. In addition, glutinous rice is nutritious and contains antioxidants that can help maintain healthy skin and prevent cell damage.
Ideas
Enjoy Ketan Durian Nganjuk with some warm black coffee for a perfect balance of sweet and bitter sips.
How to make it at home
To make Ketan Durian Nganjuk at home, cook some glutinous rice and heat up some durian fruit pulp in a pan. Mix both ingredients and let it sit before molding into small bite-sized pieces.
Tips
Make sure to use fresh durian fruit to get the best taste.
6. Tahu Gimbal Nganjuk
What is it?
Tahu Gimbal Nganjuk is a salad made from tofu, vegetables, eggs, and seafood that is topped with sweet peanut sauce and a sprinkle of fried shallots on top.
Why try it?
The salad’s unique dressing, consisting of peanut sauce, soy sauce, tamarind, and sugar, gives a sweet and savory taste that pairs perfectly with the fresh vegetables and seafood. It’s a light and refreshing meal that won’t leave you feeling overly stuffed after eating.
The benefits
The seafood in this dish is a great source of protein, which can help improve muscle growth and development.
Ideas
You can try Tahu Gimbal Nganjuk as a mid-day snack or light lunch.
How to make it at home
To make Tahu Gimbal Nganjuk at home, combine tofu, eggs, and seafood in a bowl. Then, mix it with the peanut sauce and serve on a plate together with some vegetables and a sprinkle of fried shallots on top.
Tips
Make sure to have fresh tofu and seafood to maintain the dish’s freshness.
7. Sate Kerang Nganjuk
What is it?
Sate Kerang Nganjuk is a dish made from grilled clams marinated in a local spice mixture, skewered onto bamboo sticks and grilled over an open flame. The dish is accompanied by a tangy sauce that gives it an extra kick.
Why try it?
This dish is perfect for seafood lovers. The spice mixture in the marinade adds a flavorful taste to the clams and makes it a unique dish.
The benefits
The clams used in the dish are high in omega-3 fatty acids and protein that can help improve brain and heart function and promote good health.
Ideas
You can enjoy Sate Kerang Nganjuk with some warm, toasted bread or with a refreshing cucumber salad.
How to make it at home
To make Sate Kerang Nganjuk at home, mix garlic, chili, tamarind, kecap manis, and other spices to make the marinade. Then, marinate the clams for several hours before skewering them onto bamboo sticks and grilling them.
Tips
Do not overcook the clams, or they will become tough. Grilling them for just a few minutes on each side is enough.
8. Pecel Ayam Nganjuk
What is it?
Pecel Ayam Nganjuk is a dish consisting of roasted or fried chicken served with vegetables such as long beans, bean sprouts, and cabbage. It is paired with a sweet peanut sauce and served with rice.
Why try it?
This dish is a comfort food that is a favorite among locals. The peanut sauce brings out the best in the tender chicken and vegetables and adds a sweet and savory flavor to the dish.
The benefits
The long beans and bean sprouts in this dish contain vitamins and minerals essential for healthy living, such as potassium and Vitamin C.
Ideas
You can enjoy Pecel Ayam Nganjuk as a lunch or dinner meal, accompanied by a glass of cold iced tea.
How to make it at home
To make Pecel Ayam Nganjuk at home, cook the chicken and the vegetables separately. Then, serve the chicken on a plate and arrange the vegetables around it. Drizzle the peanut sauce on top before serving.
Tips
Make sure to have all the different vegetables fresh and crispy for the best taste experience.
9. Nasi Pindang Nganjuk
What is it?
Nasi Pindang Nganjuk is a dish made of rice and fish. The fish is boiled in a savory broth with spices such as ginger, galangal, garlic, and lime leaves and served with rice and a side dish of boiled eggs, bean sprouts, and koya (toasted and blended coconut).
Why try it?
This dish is unique, and the taste of the fish broth is rich and flavorful. The combination of fish, spices, eggs, and rice makes it an enjoyable dish for those who love fish-based cuisine.
The benefits
The fish in this dish is rich in omega-3 fatty acids that can be helpful in maintaining healthy heart and brain function, reducing inflammation, and improving eyesight.
Ideas
You can enjoy Nasi Pindang Nganjuk as a lunch or dinner meal, accompanied by a glass of cold iced tea or a drink of your choice.
How to make it at home
To make Nasi Pindang Nganjuk at home, cook the fish in the broth together with the spices and vegetables to get the perfect taste. Then, serve the fish with rice and side dishes of your choice.
Tips
Make sure to use fresh fish for the broth as it is the key ingredient of the dish and will affect the taste and smell of the broth.
10. Lontong Sayur Nganjuk
What is it?
Lontong Sayur Nganjuk is a dish made up of lontong (compressed, steamed rice cake) served with mixed vegetables such as long beans, spinach, and cabbage, and served with a spicy coconut milk sauce.
Why try it?
This dish is perfect for those who love vegetables and a bit of spice. It is a healthy and filling meal that can leave you feeling energized and satisfied.
The benefits
The vegetables in this dish are a great source of vitamins and minerals, such as Vitamin C, fiber, and iron, that are essential in maintaining good health.
Ideas
You can enjoy Lontong Sayur Nganjuk as a lunch or dinner meal, accompanied by a refreshing glass of lemongrass tea.
How to make it at home
To make Lontong Sayur Nganjuk at home, make some steamed rice cakes and boil the mixed vegetables together with the coconut milk sauce. Then, serve the rice cakes with the vegetables and sauce on top.
Tips
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