7 Culinary Options to Savor in Surabaya

Known as the City of Heroes, Surabaya is home to dozens of historical sites that many travelers visit. Besides that, as the capital of East Java, Surabaya is often visited as a business travel destination. Not only that, many people come to Surabaya for its abundant option of culinary spots that, believe us, won’t be enough to be savored in a day, even from dusk until dawn.

To help you narrow down the options, TRAC recommends these 7 culinary spots that you can choose when you come to the city for a business trip or leisurely visit.

7 culinary spots to hit in Surabaya a la TRAC

1. Nasi Cumi Atom Market and Cakue Peneleh to kick-off your day

Starting out as a humble tent stall, Bu Atun’s Nasi Cumi or widely known as Nasi Cumi Pasar Atom has now occupied a more comfortable location. This shop is conveniently open 24 hours so you can enjoy it anytime of the day. A complete portion of nasi cumi consists of white rice, black spiced squid, fried empal beef, egg, tripe, intestine, lung, shrimp flakes, and sprinkles of coconut serundeng.

Since you’re already in Atom Market, you can’t miss out on the Cakue Peneleh sold in the same vicinity. This legendary finger snack has been around since 1988, selling cakue fried dough and various other cakes. Open at 10 a.m., Cakue Peneleh is a perfect snack to keep your hunger at bay before lunch.

2. Lontong Kupang Bu Wito, The Legend of Lontong Kupang Surabaya

To put it simply, kupang is a small shellfish that is widely found on the coast of Surabaya, therefore you won’t struggle to find Lontong Kupang in this city. Among the favorites for locals is Lontong Kupang Bu Wito, which many say is the best one you can find in Surabaya. Established in the 1980s, the kupang in this joint is processed in such a way and cooked using this sauce then poured over the pieces of rice cake. The flavor is a mixture of savory, sweet, and fresh. Add a couple drops of lime juice, chili sauce, and complete your plate with one or two sticks of clam shellfish satay.

3. Sate Klopo Ondomohen Bu Asih, favored among influencers

Despite carrying the name Sate Klopo (coconut), this dish isn’t actually made by turning coconut meat into satay. Sate Klopo is generally made from chicken or beef marinated in coconut seasoning and served with peanut sauce. You can also ask for sprinkles of coconut serundeng if you fancy. If you’re looking for one of the most sought after Sate Klopo, drive right to Warung Sate Klopo Ondomohen Bu Asih. Apart from beef and chicken meat, they also offer beef fat satay, marrow satay, and intestine satay. Delicious!

4. Bebek Sinjay, have a taste of Maduranese duck without crossing the strait

Some of the most appetizing culinary spots in Surabaya actually lie across the strait of Madura, one of them is Bebek Sinjay. If you have free time, then a ride across the Suramadu Bridge is definitely worth it. However, if you strapped on time, there are many Sinjay Duck branches that you can grub in Surabaya, such as those located in Jalan Dharmahusada, Jalan A. Yani, Jalan Tidar, and several other locations. A plate of hot rice with a large cut of fried duck, sprinkled with loads of serundeng (sauteed grated coconut condiment), and mango sauce is truly piquant.

5. Kota Lama Coffee, perfect spot for working

Come hit the spot in the afternoon to indulge in a cup of milk coffee while watching people pass by right at the end of Jalan Embong Malam. If you’re in town on a business trip, this place is convenient enough to “take” your work out of the hotel room. The classic atmosphere and delicious dishes are some of the most guaranteed moodbooster.

6. Sego Sambel Mak Yeye, delicacy right by the railway station 

Famous for its spicy cuisine, a visit to Surabaya is definitely not complete without a stop by this one small warung joint. Sambelan Iwak Pe or smoked stingray is the mainstay here. Doused with mouthwatering chili sauce, this menu is supposed to be served from 9 p.m. to 4 a.m, but would most likely run out after 10 p.m. So, the early bird gets the worm!

7. Nasi Babat Pegirian, for you late-night eaters

Another dinner spot to hit in Surabaya at night is perfect for those of you who love beef tripe. Besides serving tripe, offals, innards, and others, another unique thing about this joint is that they use corn rice. If you don’t eat innards, you can opt for rice topped with fish or egg that must be equally delicious. This humble eatery is open from 5 p.m. to 1 a.m. and is located in the Ampel area, which is also known as the Arab Village in Surabaya.

Surabaya is indeed a huge city with culinary spots scattered all over town. Thus, you need to ensure a proper transportation arrangement to be able to hit all seven spots in a day or two. Not to mention especially if you’re planning to hit the spots in between your business trip where time may be limited. Therefore, TRAC’s car rental service can be an option for your culinary adventure in Surabaya. 

TRAC offers various fleets that you can align with your needs from the smaller city car, minivan, to SUV. Get the best out of TRAC’s car rental service by not only renting the car but also a designated driver to ensure a better travel experience. With our defensive driving certified drivers, you don’t have to waste your time opting for which roads to take and finding a free parking spot and entrust it to the hired driver.

To reserve a car from TRAC, you only need to download the TRACtoGo application that you can find in Google Play Store and Apple App Store. Besides that, you can also visit TRAC’s representative office at Wonorejo, Surabaya or other branches in your city.

Don’t forget to follow TRAC’s social media accounts to get the latest information through Instagram @trac_astra, Facebook TRAC-Astra Rent a Car or Twitter @TRACastra. For more information, call our Customer Assistance Center at 1500009 or email rco.nasional@trac.astra.co.id.