Indonesian Food in Padang - WORLD'S BEST HALAL RESTAURANT : Nasi Padang in West Sumatra (SPICY!)

Welcome to our INDONESIA STREET FOOD series! Today we are starting the Indonesian Food tour in PADANG city, the capital of West Sumatra, and home to delicious MINANGKABAU culture and cuisine! Let’s eat!

We are starting our food tour at the beautiful Grand Mosque of West Sumatra before going to a restaurant serving Padang’s most notable dish (or dishes): NASI PADANG! We tasted lots of different rich flavours and different Indonesian spices. Nasi Pandang is a great way to sample lots of different Sumatran dishes. Our entire meal with drinks cost: Rp. 136.400 (USD $9.67).

Padang City is coastal and that means delicious and fresh seafood. We went to a local restaurant nearby for IKAN BAKAR (grilled fish). We ordered a grouper that was marinated in spicy sambal and grilled to perfection. Inside the restaurant, we were given a few small dishes similar to Nasi Padang and a plate of rice. The fish was fresh and quite meaty! Our entire meal cost: Rp. 81.000 (USD $5.74).

We wanted to experience a traditional market in West Sumatra so we visited Pasar Pagi Juanda. It looked like we were a little late to visit the market, which is bustling in the morning, but we got to sample some of Padang’s local fruits like Langsat!

It was time to cool down with a unique drink found in Padang known as Teh Telur (egg tea). What makes this drink very special is that it is made with egg yolk and served with a slice of lime, which you squeeze into the tea. It is sour, bitter and sweet all at the same time. Although it was not our favorite, it was worth a try! The drink cost: Rp. 14.000 each (USD $0.99).

Watching the sunset on one of Padang’s many beaches is popular with tourists and locals alike. Many of the beaches have small drink and food stalls that you can enjoy at the beach, while sitting under an umbrella. We ordered a hot black tea and a hot orange drink (which tasted like Fanta) and enjoyed the sounds of the waves until night time. It was unfortunately raining, but we stayed dry under the umbrella. The drinks cost: Rp. 5000 - 10.000 (USD $0.35 - $0.71).

Something that is common across all of Indonesia is a night time specialty: MARTABAK. Martabak is a thick dough, slathered in butter and stuffed with various ingredients. You can choose between savoury martabak and sweet martabak. We ordered a savoury beef martabak (MARTABAK MESIR) that’s stuffed with various vegetables and served with a spicy soy sauce. These stalls become packed at night time and it is best to visit late at night. Our martabaks cost: Rp. 20.000 each (USD $1.56).

Addresses and Information:

1 - The Grand Mosque of West Sumatra
Jl. Khatib Sulaiman, Alai Parak Kopi, Kec. Padang Utara, Kota Padang, Sumatera Barat

2 - Nasi Padang at RM. Lamun Ombak Khatib Sulaiman
Jl. Khatib Sulaiman No.99, Ulak Karang Utara, Kec. Padang Utara, Kota Padang, Sumatera Barat

3 - Ikan Bakar at Pondok Ikan Bakar
Jl. Khatib Sulaiman No.89, Lolong Belanti, Kec. Padang Utara, Kota Padang, Sumatera Barat

4 - Market Walkthrough at Pasar Pagi Juanda
Rimbo Kaluang, West Padang, Padang City

5 - Egg Coffee at Warung Kopi Nanyo
Jl. Pondok No.88, Kp. Pd., Kec. Padang Bar., Kota Padang, Sumatera Barat

6 - Martabak at Restoran Kubang Hayuda
Jl. Permindo, Kp. Jao, Kec. Padang Bar., Kota Padang, Sumatera Barat