Enjoy a variety of culinary specialties from North Maluku which are rich in spices and seafood, from Gatang Kenari to Sambal Colo-Colo, which will pamper your tongue.
North Maluku Province in eastern Indonesia is known for its natural wealth, seafood, and abundant spices that influence its cuisine. Various dishes in North Maluku offer unique flavors, with a combination of savory, sour, spicy, and rich in local spices.
Here are 10 Typical North Maluku Foods that you should try when exploring the culinary riches of this spice land.
1. Canary Cane
Gatang Kenari is an iconic culinary dish from North Maluku that uses land crab as the main ingredient. Land crab meat is known to be softer and tastier than sea crab meat.
This dish is served with special spices, such as shallots, chilies and lime juice, creating a rich and appetizing taste.
The local government controls the population of these land crabs to ensure their sustainability, so many restaurants have obtained special permits so that they can continue to enjoy this delicious dish.
2. Complete Kasbi
Kasbi, or cassava in North Maluku language, is a common staple food in this region. Kasbi Komplet is a boiled cassava dish served with various vegetables and side dishes, such as banana blossom, papaya leaves, or grilled fish with rica.
The combination of soft cassava with vegetables and typical Maluku side dishes makes this dish rich in nutrition and very filling.
3. Smoked Skipjack Tuna or Tuna
Asar Fish, a typical smoked fish dish from Maluku, uses skipjack tuna as its main ingredient. The fish is slowly grilled over hot coals to create a tempting smoky aroma and a delicious texture.
Rich in calcium, protein, and vitamins, this fish is usually served with warm rice, sambal colo-colo, and crackers.
4. Banda Fish with Nutmeg Soup
other spices, such as pepper, chili, and coriander. This yellow sauce rich in spices provides an authentic warm and savory taste. This dish was once a favorite of the Dutch colonialists and is now an everyday dish for the people of North Maluku.
5. Kohu Kohu
Kohu-Kohu is a typical North Maluku salad dish consisting of fresh vegetables, such as cucumber, basil, bean sprouts, long beans, and lettuce. This dish is sprinkled with Medan anchovies and grated coconut serundeng seasoning, chili, and shrimp paste.
A drizzle of lime juice adds a fresh, slightly sour, and savory taste to this dish, similar to urap in Java but with a distinctive Maluku touch.
6. Tidore Layer Cake
Lapis Tidore is a traditional cake made from rice flour and coconut milk, with a soft texture and just the right amount of sweetness. This cake comes in bright colors, such as green, red, and yellow, which are attractive to look at and enjoy as a snack or dessert.
The name of this cake comes from Tidore Island, one of the large islands in North Maluku.
7. Bagea
Bagea is a crispy cake made from sago flour and walnuts, giving a unique and slightly savory taste. The texture is a bit hard when bitten but melts in the mouth with a soft sweet taste.
This cake is often served as a snack or souvenir from North Maluku, very suitable to be enjoyed with a cup of warm tea.
8. Fish Lodeh Vegetables with Yellow Soup
Sayur Lodeh Ikan Kuah Kuning is a typical lodeh dish from North Maluku that combines fresh fish with vegetables in a yellow coconut milk sauce.
This dish uses turmeric and other spices, creating a distinctive savory and slightly spicy taste. Usually served with hot rice, this dish is a warming and filling choice.
9. Papaya Leaf Salad Rice
Papaya Leaf Ulam Rice is rice mixed with processed papaya leaves to produce a slightly bitter but savory taste. These papaya leaves add a unique dimension of flavor to rice, making it perfect served with grilled fish or chicken.
This dish is an example of North Maluku cuisine that uses simple ingredients but produces a distinctive taste.
10. Colo-Colo Chili Sauce
Sambal Colo-Colo is a typical North Maluku chili sauce made from cayenne pepper, tomatoes, shallots, and lime. This chili sauce has a refreshing spicy and sour taste, very suitable for adding flavor to various dishes, especially grilled and smoked fish.
Sambal Colo-Colo is a mandatory complement to every typical North Maluku dish, providing a distinctive spicy and sour touch. North Maluku offers a wealth of authentic culinary delights rich in spices.
From seafood to sweet treats, each cuisine brings you closer to the traditions and natural beauty of North Maluku. Don’t miss the chance to enjoy Typical Maluku Food when you visit this land of spices.