Explore a variety of authentic Manadonese specialties, from Manadonese Porridge to Klappertart, for a culinary experience rich in spices and traditions typical of North Sulawesi.
Manado, the capital of North Sulawesi Province, is known as a culinary paradise with a unique taste rich in spices. With the influence of local culture and rich nature, Manadonese cuisine offers a variety of tempting and impressive dishes.
Each dish is not only delicious, but also has characteristics that distinguish it from other Indonesian cuisines, especially with the dominance of spicy flavors and fresh spices.
If you are planning to visit Manado, here are 10 local foods that you should not miss!
1. Manadonese Porridge (Tinutuan)
Manadonese porridge, or often called tinutuan, is a typical porridge dish consisting of a mixture of vegetables such as pumpkin, spinach, kale, gedi leaves, corn, cassava, and basil leaves.
This combination produces a thick texture and a distinctive yellow color from pumpkin. This porridge has a savory taste with a fresh aroma from basil leaves.
Manadonese porridge is usually served with salted fish or fried chicken, and is often served with roa chili sauce to make it even richer in taste. Tinutuan is a popular breakfast food in Manado, providing balanced nutrition and indulgent taste.
2. Dabu Dabu
fresh taste. Made from cayenne pepper, fresh tomatoes, shallots, and lime juice, this chili sauce provides a spicy taste combined with a distinctive freshness.
Dabu-dabu is usually served as a complement to grilled or fried fish, making the dish more delicious. Variations of dabu-dabu, such as lemong dabu-dabu and grilled dabu-dabu, offer a variety of flavors that are suitable to try according to your taste, making them a must-try Manado Food.
3. Skipjack Tuna Noodles
Mie Cakalang is a typical Manado dish that combines yellow noodles with savory pieces of skipjack tuna. These noodles are served in a rich, spicy fish broth, along with vegetables such as cabbage, spring onions, garlic and chilies.
The distinctively aromatic pieces of skipjack tuna add richness to the flavor of these noodles. This dish can be enjoyed with sambal roa to add a spicy flavor, making it a perfect choice for noodle and seafood lovers.
4. Roa chili sauce
Apart from dabu-dabu, Manado is also famous for its sambal roa which is no less popular. This sambal is made from smoked roa fish that is ground together with cayenne pepper and other spices. It tastes spicy and savory, with the distinctive aroma of smoked fish that is appetizing.
Sambal roa is often used as a souvenir by tourists because of its deliciousness. This chili sauce is perfect to eat with hot rice, Manadonese porridge, or even as a spread on bread.
5. Tuturuga Chicken
Ayam Tuturuga is a typical Manadonese chicken dish cooked similar to opor, but with a distinctive seasoning that is richer in spices. The sauce is reddish yellow and has a touch of fresh sourness from lime and spiciness from red chili.
To make Ayam Tuturuga, spices such as ginger, shallots, garlic, turmeric, and lime are needed. This dish is usually served with warm rice, creating a unique blend of spicy, savory, and fresh flavors.
6. Panic
Paniki is a unique and typical Manadonese dish, using bat meat as its main ingredient. Bat meat is cooked with coconut milk and various spices such as lemongrass, chilies, and lime leaves which create a spicy and warm taste.
Although it sounds extreme, Paniki is an option for those who dare to try unique dishes. Bat meat is believed to have many health benefits and provides a different culinary experience.
7. Papare
Papare is a dish of tuna fish stuffed into a bitter melon before being fried. Although the bitter melon has a bitter taste, the savory tuna seasoning is able to balance the flavors, creating a unique blend of bitter and savory.
Papare is a dish that is rarely found anywhere else but Manado. The distinctive bitter taste of pare and the soft texture of the fish meat make it an interesting choice to try.
8. Klapper Tart
Klappertart is a typical Manadonese dessert influenced by Dutch cuisine. Made from young coconut, milk, cheese, walnuts, and raisins, klappertart has a sweet taste and soft texture that is loved by many people.
This cake is often served at special events or as a souvenir for tourists. Klappertart is perfect to enjoy as a dessert after eating Manado’s spicy dishes.
9. Skipjack Tuna
Cakalang Fufu is a processed smoked skipjack tuna, creating a distinctive taste and appetizing aroma. This smoking process also helps preserve the fish, making it last longer.
Fufu skipjack tuna can be processed into various dishes such as stir-fried skipjack tuna, or simply served with rice and chili sauce. This fish is also rich in protein and omega fatty acids which are good for health.
10. Tinutuan
Tinutuan, also known as Manadonese porridge, is a dish made from a mixture of vegetables and fiber-rich rice porridge. Tinutuan is a healthy food that is usually served as a breakfast menu, complete with salted fish or roa chili sauce.
The mix of various vegetables such as pumpkin, corn, and spinach gives tinutuan a unique texture and taste. This dish is not only delicious but also healthy because it is rich in vitamins and fiber.
Manado offers a variety of cuisines rich in flavor and tradition. Each of these signature dishes carries the distinctiveness of local spices and cultural uniqueness that make the culinary experience in Manado very memorable.
From spicy sambal to nutritious porridge, Manadonese cuisine is a cultural treasure worth experiencing. So, when you visit Manado, be sure to try these signature dishes and experience the authentic delights of Makassar Specialties for yourself!