For the foodie who plans to visit this city in South Sumatra, I have created an article about the must eat food in Palembang for you but based on a non-local who explored this unique place for its cuisines.

For the record, Palembang is well known for its local South Sumatra cuisine, which is different from the Javanese side, and when people ask what is there to do in Palembang, the most common answer you will get is ‘eat’.

Must Eat Food in Palembang

Various local Palembang food.

During my tour of Palembang a few years back, I was brought to many unique and interesting places to sample the authentic local food around the main city. Some of them are at restaurants, while others may be in more localized ‘warungs’ or stalls in popular areas, so depending on the type of eater you are, you can choose.

It was my first time visiting this part of Wonderful Indonesia, and everything was new, including the local Palembang food. Based on just this trip and also talking to many locals, my recommendations are these top three foods to eat in Palembang which are;

Pindang Udang or Prawn Pindang.

1. Pindang

This is the number one dish found all over Palembang, and Pindang is actually a soup-based sauce used to complement the type of fish you choose. Popular ones are Pindang Patin, Pindang Udang and Pindang Gurame.

You can find various fish and fish heads at most restaurants in the Pindang dish. This dish is also served with a plate of white rice, that’s all. The sauce is a little similar to Tom Yam but more fragrant and a different kind of spicy.

My Nasi Pindang experience was at two places: Rumah Pindang Musi Dari and a floating boat restaurant next to the Ampera River called Mbok War. If you are fascinated by spicy and soupy dishes, Pindang is one dish you must try when you are in Palembang.

Pempek, a variety of local Fishcakes.

2. Pempek

Another hugely popular dish in Palembang is Pempek, a savoury fishcake served plain, with noodles, or even grilled. Dating back to the 16th century, most people visit Palembang because this unique dish can easily be found anywhere.

Locals will visit the home industries to take away raw Pempek by the hundreds, and it is said that the best Pempek fishcakes are made from the ‘Belida’ fish or the Knife Fish.

The interesting thing about this dish is that you eat it with a special sauce called Kuah Cuka, or Vinegar Sauce, which is dark, sweet, and spicy. One great place to try this unique Pempek dish is at Mangdin, a local home industry that sells it.

Mee Celor, which looks like Mee Bandung.

3. Mee Color

Noodle lovers will enjoy this dish as Mee Celor is served with rich shrimp and coconut santan or milk broth. Extra-large yellow noodles are mixed in, served with some sprinkled savoury condiments, and topped with a sliced egg.

The special sambal is served as a side, and for Malaysians or Singaporeans, this is closely related to the Mee Jawa or Mee Rebus in Malaysia. After trying the local Mee Celor, I can say that our local variety is far from comparable, and I am not joking, really.

4. Krupuk Kemplang or Keropok Palembang (Fish Crackers)

If you visit any of the Pempek factories or shops, you are bound to see that they also sell Keropok Ikan, or Fish Crackers, which are also a speciality here in Palembang. The best part is they let you try as much as you like simply due to the many shapes and flavours offered.

After trying a number, I bought two giant bags to return to Malaysia. They are simply mouth-watering, and these are some of the best I have ever had in years. I got mine from Mangdin 679, a local home industry or cottage industry, one of the most famous in Palembang.

The unique Laksan, Lontong and Lakso in Palembang.

Other Popular Foods in Palembang Worth Trying

Palembang is quite big, and hence, you will also be able to find many other local foods all over the city and its outskirts. Some of the other very local foods that can be found around the town include Mee Tek Tek, which is a unique way of selling local fried noodles.

Mee Tek-Tek is usually found on the roadsides and not at restaurants; therefore, it is a type of hawker food popular among locals. The local famous Martabak HAR or Martabak Haji Abdul Razak has been selling these folded stuffed pancakes for almost a century now, with multiple branches spread across the city.

The famous Nasi Minyak Palembang.

At the local Arab village located on Jalan Dr Misa, you can find a restaurant called Warung Aba. It serves authentic and traditional Burgo, Ragit, Celimpungan, Laksan, Lontong, and Lakso, all of which have strong ties to similar dishes found in Malaysia.

Nasi Minyak, or oily rice, is also highly popular around Palembang, but I only explored this rice-based dish once. Maybe one day, I will have the chance to explore more of this further.

Palembang Food Photos

Below are random photos of Palembang showing some popular and well-known food around the city. You cannot walk from place to place; you must travel in a taxi or Gojek.

The famous Martabak Haji Abdul Razak (HAR) in Palembang.

Close-up of the Martabak HAR.

Durian here is called Duren Palembang.

Mbok War, a floating boat Pindang restaurant in Palembang.

Pindang Ikan or Fish sold on the boat restaurant.

The famous Pindang Udang and white rice in a cone shape.

Warung Aba that sells Lakso, Lontong, Laksan and Pempek.

A staff serving the Lontong and Lakso at Warung Aba.

Besides eating, I am quite sure that you will most likely do some sightseeing around here. One of the recommended places to visit is the unique Cheng Ho Mosque in Palembang, which is different because it has a very Chinese architectural design and feel.

Conclusion

Overall, Palembang is not your regular tourist destination, but it feels like a place that deserves more attention. It is very near Malaysia, and there is so much to explore here. While many travellers may think this is out of the question, I beg to differ. Palembang does have interesting places to visit, such as historical sites.

However, being Asian or Southeast Asian, food will always bridge any cultural gap, and anyone heading to this part of Indonesia should try the must eat food in Palembang. Trust me, nothing beats exploring a destination with the local food, which is a local fact for any Asian traveller.