Discover a variety of mouth-watering West Nusa Tenggara specialties with unique flavors and traditional ingredients that reflect the culinary richness of this region.
West Nusa Tenggara (NTB), famous for its natural beauty, also has a culinary wealth that is no less interesting.
With a combination of local ingredients and distinctive traditional spices, NTB offers a variety of delicious dishes that pamper the tongue. Here are 10 typical West Nusa Tenggara foods that you must try when visiting this area, each with its own unique taste and deep history.
1. Steamed Water Spinach Salad
Pelecing Kangkung is a typical dish that is very popular in West Nusa Tenggara, especially in Lombok. This food uses fresh boiled water spinach and served with spicy fresh tomato sauce, plus fried peanuts, bean sprouts, and grated coconut.
The combination of these ingredients produces a fresh, spicy, and savory taste that spoils the tongue. Pelecing Kangkung is often served as an accompaniment to main dishes, but can also be enjoyed as a main dish in restaurants in Lombok.
2. Pusut Satay
Sate Pusut is a variant of West Nusa Tenggara’s signature satay that is slightly different from satay in general. This satay is made from finely ground meat, then compacted on bamboo skewers and grilled until cooked.
It tastes savory and chewy, very suitable to be combined with Pelecing Kangkung as a complement. In addition to being enjoyed as a main meal, Sate Pusut can also be used as a delicious snack.
The uniqueness of the texture and taste of this satay makes it a popular dish among the people of NTB. Typical Lombok Food like this satay showcases the rich and distinctive flavors of the region’s culinary heritage.
3. Eggplant Beberuk
Beberuk Terong is a fresh salad typical of West Nusa Tenggara that combines sour, sweet, spicy, and savory flavors in one dish.
Made from small, round purple eggplants, long beans, and fresh tomato sauce and lime juice, Beberuk Terong is a dish that is often served as a side dish or a complement to rice. Its fresh and spicy taste is perfect to be enjoyed during the day as a refreshing appetizer.
4. Sako Vegetables
Sayur Sako is a typical dish from Bima, NTB, which is often served at thanksgiving or walimah events. The vegetables in this dish consist of sandonawa, half young banana (dani), pumpkin, and jackfruit.
All these ingredients are cooked with special spices, and sometimes can be created with other ingredients according to taste. Sayur Sako is usually served with white rice and pieces of goat or beef, making it a simple yet delicious meal, full of flavor and deep cultural value.
5. Taliwang Chicken
Ayam Taliwang is one of the most famous dishes in West Nusa Tenggara, especially in Lombok. This grilled chicken is seasoned with a spicy and rich special seasoning, consisting of chilies, onions and typical NTB spices.
After being seasoned, the chicken is grilled until perfectly cooked, giving it a savory and spicy taste that is mouth-watering. Ayam Taliwang is served with warm white rice and fresh vegetables, making it a very popular lunch or dinner choice.
6. Arise
Timbu is a traditional NTB food made from a mixture of rice and coconut milk which is placed in a bamboo container and then burned. It tastes savory and has the distinctive aroma of burning bamboo which adds to the enjoyment.
Timbu is usually served during celebrations such as Eid al-Fitr, especially in the Dompu area. Timbu can be enjoyed directly or dipped in honey or sugar, giving an alluring sweet and savory taste.
7. Puyung Rice
Nasi Puyung is a typical NTB mixed rice dish known for its high spicy taste. One portion of Puyung rice consists of white rice, meat chili sauce, crispy fried potatoes, fried soybeans, and special chili sauce.
The spicy chili sauce provides a very distinctive taste, and is the main attraction for those who like spicy food. Puyung Rice can be found in Puyung Village, Central Lombok, but is now also available at several rice stalls around Lombok International Airport.
8. Ares
Ares is a dish made from young bananas cooked with typical Lombok spices. The bananas used are kepok bananas, which have a chewy and slightly bitter texture. Ares is usually served at traditional events, but now it can be enjoyed at various food stalls in Lombok.
This food is made from traditional spices, such as chilies, onions, and herbs, which give it a spicy, savory, and slightly sour taste. Ares is a must-try dish for anyone visiting Lombok Island.
9. The balustrade
Bebalungan is a typical Sasak dish made from beef or buffalo ribs. Ribs are cooked with various spices such as cayenne pepper, garlic, shallots, ginger, galangal, and turmeric, giving it a distinctive spicy and savory taste.
Bebalungan is not only a delicious food, but is also believed to provide extra energy and vitality. This dish is often served at family events or other important celebrations, making it a food with high cultural value.
10. Shoes
Sepat is a typical food from Sumbawa which is famous for its unique taste and distinctive fresh sauce. Sepat consists of various ingredients such as grilled fish and dipped in sauce made from starfruit, young mango, eggplant, cayenne pepper, spring onions, and shallots.
The sour and spicy sauce provides a refreshing taste sensation, while the fish used can be freshwater or sea fish. Sepat is perfect to be enjoyed with hot rice, providing a delicious and fresh taste.
West Nusa Tenggara is not only famous for its natural beauty, but also for its delicious culinary delights. Traditional foods such as Ayam Taliwang, Pelecing Kangkung, and Sate Pusut reflect the rich culture and traditions of the NTB community that have existed for a long time.
Each dish has a unique taste and way of serving, making it very special. If you visit NTB, don’t miss the opportunity to enjoy the delicious local cuisine that not only pampers your tongue but also introduces you to the rich local culture.
Typical Lombok Souvenirs such as these culinary delights are perfect to take home and share a taste of Lombok with loved ones.
