Only Got 2 Days in Semarang? Here are Foods You Can Hunt

You may know Semarang as the City of Lumpia, but this city actually has a lot of potential for you culinary hunters. As a port city, Semarang has become one of the melting pots in Indonesia. Semarang’s cuisine is heavily influenced by various cultures, especially Javanese and Chinese.

Undoubtedly, you would have to spend days in town if you want to indulge in the entire culinary potential in Semarang. But don’t worry, TRAC will help you summarize what you can hunt for in just two days in Semarang.

Itinerary recommendation for a two-day culinary trip in Semarang

Day 1

Breakfast - Start your day at Soto Selan 

For a full-on Semarang culinary hunt, ditch the hotel breakfast and rush to the legendary Soto Selan. This simple stall has been serving customers since 1974, simply offering the Soto Semarang. At first glance, it has a close resemblance to Soto Kudus, but you can feel the difference after tasting the broth. Soto Semarang has a lighter broth with a brownish color.

Like other Soto Semarang, Soto Selan uses free-range chicken in every bowl. What makes this shop unique is the side dishes served on the tuble like assorted satays, baceman, and fritters. If you’re lucky, you can order fish cakes which is one of the secret menus at this shop. Pssst, don’t tell anyone!

Lunch - Asem-asem Koh Liem and Lekker Paimo, two of Semarang’s legendary culinary spots 

Asem-asem Koh Liem is one of the real forms of acculturation of Chinese and Javanese palate. A bowl of freshness from the tamarind sauce blends perfectly with the chunks of meat and chili. The sour taste in this dish comes from tamarind, tomatoes, and starfruit. Salivating, much? Like most typical Chinese shops, this shop also sells various kinds of snacks and other items like sweets and various packaged drinks.

Not far from Asem-asem Koh Lien is the famous Lekker Paimo. Different from other lekker joints, Lekker Paimo offers a variety of sweet and salty lekker, from a simple chocolate lekker to filling combinations of eggs, sausage, mozzarella, or eggs, sausage, cheese, and tuna.

Afternoon - Enjoying the Old Town Semarang at Spiegel

Even though it occupies an old building, Spiegel Bar & Bistro was actually established from the hands of young people. With time, this place has grown to become a melting pot for Semarang’s creative youth. Its location is not far from the iconic Blenduk Church, thus making it perfect to stop by after you walk down the alleys of the old city. A cup of coffee, a glass of mocktail or a cocktail can be an option when you visit Spiegel.

Dinner - Reveling in Semarang’s beauty from Koenokoeni Cafe Gallery

This place is perfect for enjoying the beauty of the sparkling Semarang town from a height. First of all, you will be amazed by the interior and exterior of the restaurang which is traditional and warm. The antiquity collection here is no less interesting. For food, you can try their Havanese dishes such as: mixed rice complete with beef empal, liwet rice and lodeh with rice certainly can’t be passed up.

Day 2

Breakfast - Nasi Ayam Bu Nyoto, a complete hearty meal in the morning

To enjoy a serving of chicken rice, it’s best to come in the morning as this stall is only open from 6-9 am. Since 1970, Bu Nyoto has been serving chicken rice that contains rice, shredded chicken, chayote, and complemented by a boiled egg, cuts of tofu, and a splash of opor gravy. You can also add various satays like chicken liver-gizzard satay and intestine satay. Complete and hearty meal!

Lunch - Cooling down at Toko Oen Semarang

It’s no secret that Semarang is famous for it’s hot weather and scorching sun. So to make amends with that, a serving of ice cream from this legendary shop can give you that cool-down moment after exploring Lawang Sewu. Toko Oen Semarang has been operating since 1936 until now with the same menu. If you want to just have a light bight to hold up the hunger, then a piece of classic chocolate cake and tutti frutti ice cream or Oen’s Sympjony Ice Cream make a good collaboration.

Want to relax while eating your lunch? Yes you can! The Indonesian, Dutch, and Chinese fusion menus here can be an option. The Dutch Huzarensla salad is perfect as an appetizer for your lunch. For the main course, you can choose from Sop Buntut, assorted Pasta to Kekian Goreng.

Dinner - Nasi Goreng Babat Hengky 

Slightly off-the-beaten-path, Nasi Goreng Babat Hengky is located in Puri Anjasmoro residential complex. Despite their ‘secluded’ location, their Nasi Goreng Babat (Tripe Fried Rice) and Paru Goreng (Fried Cow Lungs) become the reason why the locals flock to this place every now and then. The fried rice portion is hefty, with a smoked aroma that comes out from the fire wood used to cook the fried rice. Don’t forget to grab a plate of their infamous Paru Goreng, while it may be slightly more expensive than the fried rice, but the portion is also as hefty.

The location is a bit hidden in the Puri Anjasmoro housing estate, however, the tripe fried rice and fried lungs here have become idols for Semarang residents. The portion of fried rice is quite a lot, with a distinctive aroma from the firewood used. Don't forget to buy a portion of fried lung, the price is indeed more expensive than the fried rice but the portion is no less big.

Two days may not be enough to venture around Semarang and indulge in the city’s culinary collection. While you can visit several places in one day, you should consider your body’s eating capacity and the locations that you’re visiting. Other culinary spots that you can visit are Loenpia Mbak Lien, not far from Toko Oen, the infamous Lumpia Gang Lombok, light bites and traditional snacks in Pasar Semawis on weekends, the spicy Gudeg Koyor Mak Tum, and many others.

The fact that Semarang is home to many stalls and restaurants, not to mention the number of travel attractions that you may also want to visit, to make sure you have the best time in Semarang, consider renting a car from a trusted rental service like TRAC. With hospitable and experienced drivers as well as the variety of vehicles that you can choose from, you can find your way around Semarang with ease.

Make a reservation for the many services that TRAC have from your smartphone. Download the TRACtoGo Application from Google Play Store and Apple App Store. Get a 50% discount for extension of no-driver car rental on Sundays with our Sunday Funday Promo. Grab another 35% discount from TRACTIRAN HUT Astra. All of these deals are only available in the TRACtoGo Application.