Enjoy 10 culinary specialties from Solo that offer unique and diverse flavors, from goat’s head tengkleng to Selat Solo, which illustrate the culinary heritage of this city.
Solo, also known as Surakarta, is a city rich in history and culture, located in Central Java Province, Indonesia.
In addition to being known as a cultural city, Solo also has a very rich and distinctive culinary heritage, which combines traditional flavors with local uniqueness that is already famous throughout Indonesia and even the world.
Many of Solo’s specialties are familiar to culinary lovers, such as Tengkleng Kepala Kambing, Nasi Liwet, and Selat Solo.
Every dish in Solo contains historical and traditional values that are very well preserved, reflecting the culinary richness that is an inseparable part of the lives of the people of Solo.
1. Goat Head Tengkleng
Tengkleng Goat Head is one of the most popular foods in Solo, which is widely known as a typical dish from this city. This Tengkleng is made from goat’s head cooked with special spices, creating a savory and rich sauce.
The goat meat used is usually cooked until tender, and served with the bones still attached, providing a pleasant dining experience for goat meat culinary lovers.
Its rich taste, combined with thick broth, makes goat head tengkleng one of the main choices when looking for authentic and delicious Solo specialties.
2. Bakmi Toprak
Bakmi Toprak is a mouth-watering noodle dish that has become a culinary icon of Solo. Turmeric noodles (made from wheat flour) are the main ingredient, which are cooked with chicken, beef, and vegetables, then doused in a thick, savory spice sauce.
The spicy and savory taste created from a mixture of natural ingredients makes Bakmi Toprak very suitable to be enjoyed at any time, whether for breakfast, lunch, or dinner.
This dish, one of the Typical Solo Food specialties, is also often the main choice to enjoy warmth in cold weather, providing a satisfying taste sensation.
3. The trough
Tahok is a typical Solo sweet food made from soy flour processed into soft tofu. This tofu is then doused with thick brown sugar water, creating a refreshing sweet taste. With a soft and chewy tofu texture, tahok is one of the popular snack choices in Solo.
Usually served as a morning or afternoon snack, tahok has a specialty that sets it apart from other sweet foods. This food provides coolness on a hot afternoon and is a favorite of Solo residents, as well as tourists looking for unique traditional cuisine.
4. Ledre
Ledre is a sweet snack typical of Solo made from grilled plantain and sprinkled with coconut sugar on top. With a combination of the natural sweetness of the banana and the savory taste of the coconut sugar that coats it, ledre is the perfect snack to accompany your leisure time.
Ledre is widely found in traditional markets and food stalls in Solo, and is much loved for its delightful simplicity. Its natural taste makes it the perfect choice as a light snack or to accompany a cup of warm sweet tea in the afternoon.
5. Tamarind Shallots
Brambang Asem is a dish made from shallots boiled with a fresh and distinctive sour sauce. The sour taste produced from the spices in this sauce is perfect for refreshing the tongue.
Usually served with white rice and side dishes such as chicken or fish, it provides a refreshing balance of spicy, savory and sour flavors. Brambang asem is very delicious to eat on a hot afternoon, and is a refreshing and filling dish.
6. Buntel Satay
Sate Buntel is a typical Solo satay dish that is quite different from satay in general. Goat or beef meat is wrapped in meat fat, then grilled until perfectly cooked.
The process of wrapping the meat fat on this satay gives a very delicious savory and fatty taste. Usually, sate buntel is served with peanut sauce or soy sauce, plus warm white rice, creating a very delicious combination of flavors. This dish is perfect for meat lovers who want to enjoy satay with a richer taste.
7. Tofu and Rice Cake
Kupat Tahu is one of Solo’s legendary dishes that should not be missed. This dish consists of ketupat pieces served with fried tofu, fresh vegetables, and sweet and savory peanut sauce. Kupat Tahu is very popular as a breakfast or lunch dish.
Usually served with crackers or emping as a complement, giving a richer texture to each bite. The sweet, savory, and slightly spicy taste of the peanut sauce is the main attraction of this dish.
8. Cabuk Rambak
Cabuk Rambak is a typical Solo food made from rambak crackers served with fresh vegetables and spicy and sweet peanut sauce. This dish has a unique blend of flavors and is very appetizing.
The crunchy taste of rambak crackers combined with the rich peanut sauce makes cabuk rambak a very refreshing snack. This dish is usually served as a snack or complement to various traditional Solo events, and is perfect to accompany your relaxing time.
9. Liwet Rice
Nasi Liwet is a typical Solo rice dish cooked with coconut milk and spices, creating a savory and rich taste. This rice is usually served with various side dishes such as chicken, tofu, tempeh, eggs, and chili sauce.
Nasi Liwet is very famous in Solo, especially at family events or festivals. This dish is perfect to enjoy in a communal atmosphere because it contains a rich taste and is very filling. With soft and tasty rice, and a variety of side dishes, Nasi Liwet is a dish not to be missed.
10. Solo Strait
Selat Solo is a typical dish that has similarities with salad, but is richer in ingredients and flavors. This dish consists of thinly sliced beef or chicken, then mixed with boiled potatoes, eggs, fresh vegetables, and mayonnaise or special sauce.
Selat Solo is known for its balanced taste between sweet, savory, and slightly sour. This dish is perfect to be enjoyed as a main dish or snack. Selat Solo is often the choice of tourists who want to experience the distinctive blend of flavors from the city of Solo.
Solo cuisine is a complete picture of the richness of Indonesian culture and culinary traditions. From heavy dishes like Tengkleng Kepala Kambing and Nasi Liwet, to light snacks like Ledre and Tahok, every food in Solo has its own story and uniqueness.
The specialty of Solo cuisine lies in the natural ingredients used, as well as the way it is served that reflects the preserved cultural heritage. When visiting Solo, be sure to try the 10 typical culinary delights mentioned above.
Although Solo is known for its unique cuisine, you can also explore Semarang Specialties nearby for a broader culinary experience. Experience an extraordinary culinary journey and enjoy the authentic flavors that you can only find in these two culturally rich cities!