Discover a variety of mouth-watering Dayak specialties, and explore the traditional cuisine of Kalimantan that is rich in flavor and culture.
Kalimantan, an island rich in culture and nature, is home to the Dayak tribe who have various traditions, including in terms of cuisine. Dayak specialties reflect the close relationship between the Dayak people and their natural surroundings.
This cuisine usually uses natural ingredients that are easily found in the forests and rivers of Kalimantan, as well as special spices that provide a unique taste. Each Dayak dish is not only filling, but also has a deep philosophy that reflects local wisdom.
For culinary lovers, trying Dayak specialties is an unforgettable taste journey. These various dishes offer new experiences with traditional cooking techniques and distinctive flavors. Below are 10 typical Dayak foods that you must try when visiting Kalimantan.
1. Pansuh Chicken
Pansuh Chicken is one of the most iconic dishes of the Dayak tribe. Pansuh comes from a traditional cooking method using bamboo. Chicken and various spices, such as bay leaves , lemongrass, ginger, and turmeric, are placed in bamboo and cooked over low heat.
This technique, often used in preparing Typical Dayak Food, maintains the savory, tender, and aromatic taste of the chicken, and produces very delicious results.
This dish is usually served at traditional events or big celebrations, and its unique cooking process makes it very interesting. Ayam Pansuh is a highly recommended dish if you visit Kalimantan and want to experience authentic traditional Dayak cuisine.
2. Grilled Baung Fish
Baung fish is a freshwater fish that is often found in the rivers of Kalimantan. This fish has soft meat and is very suitable for cooking by grilling.
Grilled Baung Fish is grilled with typical Dayak spices, which involve spices such as turmeric, ginger, lemongrass, and chili, creating a spicy, savory, and fresh taste that is appetizing.
Bakar Baung Fish is often served with rice and chili sauce, making it a very delicious and satisfying dish. The specialty of this fish lies in the taste of the grilled spices that penetrate into the fish flesh, providing a distinctive taste sensation from Kalimantan.
3. Deer Satay
Deer Satay is a dish that uses deer meat as the main ingredient. The tender deer meat is cut into small pieces, then skewered and grilled with a rich peanut sauce.
The spices used provide a savory and slightly spicy taste, which blends perfectly with the venison which has a soft and slightly aromatic texture.
Sate Rusa is perfect to be served as a dish in a meal with family or friends. With a unique taste and an interesting way of serving, Sate Rusa is a typical Dayak food that should not be missed.
4. Dayak Liwet Rice
Nasi Liwet is a rice dish cooked with various spices, such as bay leaves , lemongrass, and turmeric, giving it a distinctive savory taste.
The uniqueness of Nasi Liwet Dayak lies in the way it is cooked, where the rice is cooked using natural ingredients that provide a fragrant aroma. This rice is usually served with side dishes such as fish, chicken, or meat cooked in different ways .
As a food that is often served at traditional events or celebrations, Nasi Liwet Dayak offers a rich and appetizing taste sensation. Not only is it delicious, but it also has high cultural value for the Dayak people.
5. Dayak Urap
Urap Dayak is a typical Dayak vegetable dish made from a mixture of fresh vegetables cooked with grated coconut seasoned with special spices.
The vegetables used can vary, such as kale, spinach, or long beans, which provide a fresh and chewy texture. The grated coconut seasoning mixed with spices such as chili, turmeric, and lime leaves makes Urap Dayak have a delicious savory and spicy taste.
Urap Dayak is often served as a side dish for lunch or dinner. This dish can be enjoyed with rice or other side dishes such as chicken and fish. Urap Dayak is also very suitable for healthy food lovers, because it contains many nutritious vegetables.
6. Jackfruit Curry
Gulai Nangka is a typical Dayak dish made from young jackfruit cooked with coconut milk and spices typical of Kalimantan.
Young jackfruit is cut into pieces and cooked with spices such as turmeric, ginger, chili, and lime leaves, giving it a savory, spicy, and slightly sweet taste . This dish is very popular among the Dayak people, especially because of its unique taste and rich spices .
Jackfruit Gulai is usually served with warm rice, providing a combination of spicy and savory flavors that pamper the tongue. This food is perfect to complete a family dinner, providing a warming taste sensation.
7. Dayak Spicy Porridge
Spicy Porridge is a typical Dayak dish which has a distinctive spicy taste. Made from rice cooked with spices such as ginger, turmeric, and chili, Bubur Pedas provides an alluring spicy and savory taste. This porridge is also given vegetables and meat, such as chicken or fish, which makes it even more delicious.
This dish is usually served with a thick sauce that gives it a savory taste. Spicy Porridge is the perfect dessert for traditional events or celebrations, providing a spicy sensation that can be adjusted to suit each visitor’s taste.
8. Dayak Sour Vegetables
Sayur Asem Dayak is a typical vegetable dish that has a fresh sour taste . Vegetables such as corn, long beans, and melinjo leaves are cooked in a rich sour sauce.
The spices used in this vegetable soup, such as tamarind and chili, provide a spicy and fresh sensation that is perfect for refreshing the throat.
This Asem vegetable is often used as daily food by the Dayak people, especially in hot weather. Its refreshing taste and rich spices make it a very popular dish.
9. Sweet Potato Chips
Sweet Potato Chips is a typical Dayak snack made from thinly sliced potatoes, fried until crispy, and sprinkled with coconut sugar.
This snack combines sweet and savory flavors that are very appetizing. Sweet Potato Chips are perfect to enjoy when gathering with family or friends, or as a typical souvenir from Kalimantan.
These chips have a crunchy texture and a balanced sweet taste , making them a popular snack among tourists visiting Kalimantan.
10. Yellow Juhu
Juhu Kuning is a typical Dayak dish made from sticky rice cooked with turmeric spices, giving the sticky rice a bright yellow color.
Sticky rice is cooked with coconut milk and other spices that give it a savory and slightly sweet taste . Juhu Kuning is usually served with side dishes such as chicken, fish, or vegetables.
This dish is often served at traditional events, as a symbol of prosperity and happiness. The chewy texture of sticky rice and the delicious savory taste make Juhu Kuning a very special dish.
Dayak specialties reflect the richness of nature and culture of Kalimantan. Each dish, categorized as Typical Banjar Food, has a deep philosophy and offers a unique taste, utilizing natural ingredients and spices that can only be found in Kalimantan.
For anyone visiting Kalimantan, tasting Banjar cuisine is the best way to experience the warmth of culture and the natural wealth of the Banjar people.