More Than Mie Gomak, Here are 5 Foods to Try in Medan

North Sumatera Province. A land of culture and almost synonymous with the Batak Tribe that has a variety of indigenous wealth such as its culinary products. For those of you who have watched the up-and-coming ‘Ngeri-Ngeri Sedap’ recently, one Batak cultural product that you may have come across is its signature food, Mie Gomak.
 

Mie Gomak is a dish of noodle soup with a thick spicy flavor. The broth is a combination of coconut milk and andaliman-based broth. Mie Gomak originated from the Toba Batak area, but you can also have a taste of it in the Sibolga area, Tapanuli, and of course, in the province’s capital, Medan.
 

Whenever you’re in Medan, always include Mie Gomak in your ‘must-taste’ list. But be wary! Besides Mie Gomak, you will find a list of endless delicacies in Medan that you must indulge in.

5 Must-Try Food in Medan, North Sumatera

1. Rice Noodles with Duck

Imagine huge chunks of duck meat sitting on top of rice noodles swimming in a bowl of delicious broth made of stewed ducks and other spices. How delicious does that sound? The taste lingers right after you have just finished that very bowl. The addition of fried minced garlic that accompanies the slices of duck meat, the celery, the lettuce, and the chili pickles perfect your bowl of Duck RIce Noodles. Interested? Stop by Bihun Bebek Asie, Bihun Bebek Akien, or AK Bihun Bebek while you’re in Medan.

2. Soto Medan

In almost every region in Indonesia, you will find versions of soto with their own uniqueness and taste, and Medan is no exception. With a thick coconut milk broth, a pale yellow color becomes the color that decorates a bowl of Soto Medan. Apart from coconut milk, Soto Medan contains various other typical ingredients and spices such as lime leaves, star anise, galangal, cumin, turmeric, and others. Enjoy Soto Medan with chicken or beef and a bowl of warm rice. Whenever in Medan, be sure not to miss a bowl of the signature Soto Medan at RM Sinar Pagi, Soto Kesawan, or RM Nasi Soto Medan.

3. Lontong Medan

Firstly, lontong is a compressed rice cake wrapped inside in a banana-leaf shaped like a cylinder. Many regions in Indonesia have their different take on Lontong Medan, and the one from Medan is also not to be missed. Fluffy sliced lontong, doused with a savory, thick, and spiced gravy, plus the addition of vermicelli and rendang sauce and other toppings make Lontong Medan a fairly heavy and filling meal. Try Lontong Kak Lin, Lontong Bang Iwan, and Lontong Warintek.

4. Bika Ambon

Bika Ambon is that kind of food that leaves people asking and wondering of the origin’s whereabouts, fairly due to its name. Many think that Bika Ambon originates from Ambon, Maluku, while in fact, Bika Ambon is a cake from Medan. As a modification of the typical Malay cake, which is aptly called bingka, bika is a cake made with tapioca or sago. Yellow in color, the appearance of Bika Ambon is very distinctive with pockets and fibers as well as a slightly chewy texture and a luscious taste. If you go Medan, make sure to pack a box or ten for your loved ones from Bika Ambon Zulaikha, Bika Ambon Ati, or Rika Bika Ambon.

5. Mie Balap

Mie Balap in English means Racing Noodle. Behind its unique name lies an origin that many of you may probably have already guessed. Yes, you guessed that right. Its name comes from the quick and fast preparation and serving process. Typically eaten for breakfast, many eat it for dinner or even supper. Delicious and affordable!

You can use egg noodles, flat noodles, or rice noodles topped with egg, meatball, or seafood. Try Mie Balap Mail Krakatau, Mie Balap Wahidin, or Mie Balap Seafood Hendra.

Coming from out of town, navigating on your own may not be the best practice. Especially since you’re not too familiar with the roads and traffic in Medan. Besides, struggling with deadlocks and limited parking space would be just a waste of time. Therefore, using a car rental service with a driver from TRAC could be the right choice. With drivers equipped with defensive driving certification, TRAC wants to ensure that you have a safe and quality experience.
 

With TRAC, you can choose vehicles of various sizes according to the number of passengers, from small cars to buses. Enjoy a comfortable and safe car rental experience with TRAC. Don’t forget to download the TRACtoGo application on Google Playstore or on the Apple App Store.
 

For more information on car rental services from TRAC, please contact the Customer Assistance Center at 1500009 or email rco.nasional@trac.co.id. Or you can visit our branch offices spread across various cities in Indonesia.