Guide to Eating and Drinking in Surabaya

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There is an enormous selection of dining opportunities that await visitors of Surabaya. From street vendors to authentic Indonesian restaurants, travelers of the city won’t have a hard time eating and drinking in Surabaya. You can even try to orient your food trip by going to specific areas or streets. Jalan Genteng Besar is popular for its restaurants while the Jalan Pemuda is filled with food and beverage stalls all day. The Jalan Kayun also has its share of food establishments that are lined along the river, making for a pleasant dining experience. For some of the best restaurants in Surabaya, the neighborhoods found near the Gubeng Station and those found along the Kalan Raya Gubeng offer dining in the most spectacular Dutch villas that will surely delight foodies from all over the world.

The East Java region of Indonesia offers a variety of delectable food specialties. Most Surabaya dishes are often served wrapped in banana leaves called pincuks by the locals. Banana leaves not only trap in moisture and flavors of the dish, but is also makes an appealing presentation. Here are some of the well-loved delicacies of Surabaya that every visitor must take a bite of.

Jongkong – Steamed rice flour and coconut pudding.
Kupang Lontong – Rice cakes with shellfish broth and chili sauce.
Lontong Balap – A mixture of fried onions, bean sprouts, tofu, soybeans and hot soy sauce.
Rawon – A famous thick beef soup.
Rujak Cingur – A local salad with cucumber, bean sprouts, fruits, peanuts, fermented soybean cake, yummy shrimp sauce and its secret ingredient, cingur which are slices of cooked cow’s nose.
Semanggi – Leafy vegetables with Semanggi leaves topped with spicy chili and yam sauce.

Aside from having a list of must-try’s in Surabaya, there are a variety of dining spots, cafes and food stalls around the city that you should visit: they offer everything from international cuisine to Indonesian specialties.

Bon Café – Dine along the side of the river on delectable western dishes such as grilled meats.
House of Sampoerna Café – Not only is the House of Sampoerna a cigarette factory facility and a museum, but it also has slick café that offers a wide range of Asian and Western specialties and desserts.
Soto Ambengan Pak Sadi – Taste the best of Indonesian cuisine at this restaurant with traditional chicken dishes, lemon-grass flavored soup and “soto”, a soup dish made with meat and poultry that remains the restaurant’s house specialty.
New San Thauw – If seafood is what you prefer, try fresh crab and fish dishes at the New San Thauw that are of excellent quality.
De Boliva Kitchen – Some visitors prefer sticking to international fare, which is what De Boliva Kitchen offers. The establishment offers a wide range of sandwiches and crepes with some of the best-tasting desserts around.
Tunjungan Plaza food court - Not only is dining in Surabaya limited to food establishments and street stalls, but the Tunjungan Plaza food court features numerous international restaurants and a famous sushi bar as well.

Surabaya food is basically very spicy with rice and noodles as the staple carbs. Although it may take an adventurous traveler to try most of the local Surabaya delicacies, eating and drinking in Surabaya have plenty of choices that will satisfy even the hungriest traveling tummy.