Explore a variety of typical Riau souvenirs, from pineapple chips to smoked patin fish. Make your trip more memorable by bringing home unique food and crafts.
Visiting a region feels incomplete without bringing a souvenir typical of that place, and the same is true when visiting Pekanbaru, the capital of Riau Province.
This area offers a variety of unique and interesting souvenir options, from traditional food to handicrafts. If you plan to visit Pekanbaru, here are 10 typical Riau souvenirs that you must bring home as gifts for family and friends.
1. Pineapple Chips
Pineapple chips are one of the famous souvenirs from Pekanbaru. Pekanbaru, especially the Kampar area, has many pineapple plantations, so it is not surprising that this tropical fruit is processed into a crispy snack.
Pineapple chips, a popular Typical Riau Food, are made from fresh pineapple that is thinly sliced and fried until dry. The crispy texture and fresh sweet taste make these chips suitable for souvenirs. In addition to being durable, pineapple chips are also easy to carry anywhere.
2. Bagansiapiapi Roasted Peanuts
Kacang Pukul Bagansiapiapi is a popular traditional snack in Riau. Made from quality peanuts that are processed by beating them until smooth, this snack has a sweet taste and a dense but soft texture.
At first glance it looks like ting-ting peanuts, but kacang pukul has a more distinctive taste. You can find it in many souvenir shops in Pekanbaru at affordable prices.
3. Bugi Lopek
Lopek Bugi is a traditional cake made from glutinous rice mixed with grated coconut and brown sugar, then wrapped in banana leaves. Lopek Bugi has a soft texture and a legit sweet taste.
This cake is usually eaten as a snack or served at traditional events in Riau. If you want to taste this special cake, you can get it at various traditional cake shops in Pekanbaru.
4. Smoked Patin Fish
Smoked Patin Fish is processed patin fish that is smoked until dry, making it a typical Pekanbaru souvenir that is in great demand.
The smoking process makes this fish last longer and is suitable as an ingredient in dishes such as gulai lemak or sambal.
Salai patin fish can be a different and interesting souvenir choice, especially for fish culinary enthusiasts. The distinctive taste of patin fish with a chewy texture and smoky aroma makes it even more appetizing.
Smoked Selais Fish
The selais fish is a freshwater fish that is widely found in Riau, and one of the most popular processed foods is the smoked fish.
The smoking process makes this fish last longer and gives it a unique taste. Many tourists buy smoked fish as souvenirs because of its deliciousness and practicality. You can process it into various dishes, such as curry or sambal, according to taste.
6. Riau Pattern Batik
Not only food, Pekanbaru also has souvenirs in the form of typical handicrafts, one of which is batik with Riau Malay motifs. This batik has a distinctive motif and attractive bright colors.
Traditionally made, Riau batik is often used as a souvenir for tourists who want to take home something memorable. You can find this batik in the form of cloth, clothes, or accessories in many craft shops in Pekanbaru.
7. Durian Softener
Lempuk durian is a typical Riau dodol made from real durian. This snack has a chewy texture and a strong sweet and legit taste.
Although lempuk durian can also be found in several other areas in Sumatra, Pekanbaru has a version that is very popular with tourists. With attractive packaging, lempuk durian is a practical and delicious souvenir choice to take home.
8. Kemojo Cake
Bolu Kemojo is a traditional cake from Riau made from ingredients such as flour, coconut milk, sugar, and eggs.
This cake has a soft sweet taste and its shape resembles the petals of a kenanga flower. Bolu Kemojo is often served at traditional events and celebrations in Riau. This cake is also suitable as a souvenir because of its delicious taste and soft texture.
9. Starfruit Dodol
Dodol Kedondong is an innovation of dodol that uses kedondong fruit as its basic ingredient. This fruit, which is usually used as a mixture of rujak, is processed into dodol with a distinctive sweet and slightly sour taste.
This snack is unique and has not been found in many other places, so it is very suitable as a typical Pekanbaru souvenir.
10. Rising Cake
Bangkit Cake is a dry cake made from sago flour and has a very soft texture. This cake is called Bangkit cake because its size will expand after being baked.
Bangkit Cake has a soft sweet taste and is usually served during big celebrations such as Eid al-Fitr. With various shapes and a light taste, this cake is suitable as a souvenir for family and friends.
With so many choices of unique and delicious souvenirs, Pekanbaru is one of the tourist destinations that not only captivates with its natural charm but also with its culinary delights, including Typical Pekanbaru Food, and handicrafts. So, make sure not to miss the opportunity to bring home a typical Riau souvenir when visiting this city!