8 Signature Dishes from the Gateway to Mecca City to Delight Culinary Enthusiasts

When it comes to culinary exploration, don't hold back. You can start your gastronomic journey from the westernmost region of Indonesia, in the city of 'Serambi Mekah' (The Gateway to Mecca), Aceh. Acehnese cuisine boasts distinctive flavors and cooking methods. Here are some Acehnese dishes that must be on your culinary checklist: 

1. Mie Aceh (Aceh Noodles)

Aceh Noodles stand as one of the most renowned culinary icons of Aceh. Available in two variations, fried noodles (mie goreng) and noodle soup (mie kuah), this dish comes with an array of topping options. Favorite toppings for Aceh Noodles include crab, beef, and seafood. The delightful taste of Aceh Noodles is attributed to a blend of cardamom, cumin, turmeric, red chili, black pepper, garlic, and celery leaves. It gets even more complete when served with pickled cucumbers and emping crackers.

2. Kuah Masam Keu-Neung (Sour Keu-Neung Soup)

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For those who enjoy soupy dishes, sour Keu-Neung soup is the perfect choice. This soup has a slightly yellowish hue and offers a refreshing spicy and tangy flavor, somewhat akin to tamarind curry. The primary ingredients in sour Keu-Neung soup include fish, bilimbi fruit, tamarind, and chili.

3. Kuah Sie Itek (Itek Duck Soup)

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Apart from fish, Aceh also has duck dishes. Acehnese duck dishes come in two variations, red itek duck soup and white itek duck soup. The white itek version is quite similar to Javanese opor. In Aceh, you can find this dish readily available in rice eateries (keude bu). The yellowish-brown hue of itek soup is often referred to as kurma-style soup, even though it contains no dates at all, my friends. The savory aroma is derived from curry leaves and pandan leaves tied to each piece of duck during cooking. It is said that there are around 12-20 types of spices mixed into the soup while cooking. So, you can imagine the rich and flavorful spices.

4. Rujak Aceh (Aceh Fruit Salad)

If you're seeking a refreshing dish, Aceh Fruit Salad is the answer. Made from sago palm fruit, which is abundant in Aceh, it is served with a distinctive and diverse fruit sauce that enhances the enjoyment of each bite.

5. Martabak Aceh (Aceh Martabak)

Martabak is a popular Indonesian street food and snack that comes in sweet and savory varieties. It is essentially a stuffed and folded pancake or flatbread, and it's known for its deliciously rich and indulgent flavors.

For those looking for a snack to accompany their coffee, Aceh Martabak is a tempting choice. It is made with cane bread as its base and offers a savory taste with a hint of spiciness.

6. Kopi Sanger (Sanger Coffee)

If you're a coffee enthusiast, you must try one of the Sanger coffees. Sanger coffee combines black coffee with condensed milk and sugar. To make it, black coffee is filtered through a cone-shaped strainer, which is then pulled upwards similar to making tea. Despite the addition of milk and sugar, the coffee's flavor remains strong and not overly sweet. It's absolutely delightful!

7. Sayur Pliek U (Pliek U Vegetable Stew)

Pliek U Vegetable Stew is a specialty of West Aceh. This stew is similar to curry and contains various types of vegetables commonly found in Aceh. The Pliek soup symbolizes the unity and diversity of Acehnese society, all coming together in one dish. Unfortunately, this dish can be hard to find unless you attend an Acehnese gathering where it's a must-have menu item.

8. Ayam Tangkap (Tangkap Chicken)

Have you ever tried Tangkap Chicken? It is a unique Acehnese dish made from fried meat of traditionally-bred chickens. What sets it apart from regular fried chicken is the seasoning of pandan leaves, curry leaves, temurui leaves, or koja leaves. Its distinctive feature is the garnish of green chili and fried temurui leaves.

Sobat Pesona udah pernah nyobain makan Ayam Tangkap? Ayam Tangkap adalah hidangan khas Aceh yang terbuat dari potongan ayam kampung yang digoreng. Bedanya dengan ayam goreng biasa, hidangan ini dibumbui daun pandan, daun kari, daun temurui atau daun salam koja. Ciri khas ayam ini ada di taburan cabai hijau dan daun temurui yang sudah digoreng kering.

These are just a few examples of the famous and appetizing traditional dishes from Aceh. When you visit Aceh, be sure to treat your taste buds to these authentic Acehnese delights. For more information on #WonderfulIndonesia's unique cuisine, follow the Instagram account @wonderfulindonesia.