One of Indonesia's treasures is its cuisine. Wherever you go, you'll always find new and unique flavors waiting to be discovered. This includes Mandalika, Lombok, a region in West Nusa Tenggara that has become a popular tourist destination in recent years. Apart from main dishes like plecing kangkung and sate rembiga, Mandalika's culinary delights also extend to its wide variety of snacks. Here are a few of them:
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1. Poteng Jaje Tujak
The unique and exotic-sounding name is just as deserving of its flavor. Poteng jaje tujak is a snack made from a type of fermented rice cake, literally meaning "pounded rice cake snack." Poteng is made from white glutinous rice, while jaje tujak is a mix of black glutinous rice, white glutinous rice, and grated coconut, all pounded into a smooth texture. The process of making poteng jaje tujak is lengthy, involving fermentation for about three days. Jaje tujak itself needs to be steamed twice. With such a special process, it's a shame to miss out on this!
2. Jaje Tumbek
This Mandalika snack resembles a traditional treat from Java called nagasari. Wrapped in leaves and steamed, it shares a similar appearance, but once unwrapped, you’ll notice the difference. This moist cake is made from glutinous rice mixed with grated coconut and palm sugar, and some people even make it with pumpkin. After mixing, the ingredients are steamed and wrapped in coconut leaves, then steamed again.
3. Jaje Reket
Many tourists in Mandalika search for this snack and enjoy it as a dessert. Jaje reket is a traditional Lombok snack made from steamed glutinous rice and wrapped in banana leaves. A similar Mandalika snack is banget, but the key difference lies in the wrapping—banget is only steamed, while jaje reket is wrapped in leaves after steaming, forming a long shape.
4. Goro-Goro
Indonesians are incredibly creative—so many dishes can be made from just one main ingredient. One such example is rice flour, which is turned into a snack called goro-goro in Lombok. Goro-goro is a crispy treat similar to kembang goyang, made from steamed rice flour kneaded with coconut milk. Once cooked, the mixture is combined with lime zest to enhance the flavor. Then, it is shaped using molds (often in the form of flowers) and fried until crispy and golden.
5. Seaweed Dodol
This Lombok delicacy is quite iconic and even a popular souvenir for tourists visiting the area. Its bright, colorful appearance draws attention from both children and adults alike. The sweet taste and chewy texture make it even more enjoyable. Seaweed dodol is made from seaweed flour, sugar, and fruit flavors (with colors adjusted accordingly). It has a sweet flavor balanced by a slightly sour tang. One bite won’t be enough—you’ll be hooked!
6. Kue Cerorot
Another delicious snack from Lombok to balance out the spicy flavors of other local dishes is kue cerorot. The best part is, these cakes can last two to three days, making them perfect as souvenirs. The unique shape of the kue cerorot is made from rice flour, palm sugar, coconut milk, and just a pinch of salt. It's wrapped in janur lidi (young coconut leaf), held together with a stick. Whether you enjoy it in the morning or evening, it's always tasty! These are some of the must-try local snacks that you should not miss when visiting Mandalika, Lombok. Whether you're attending a race at the Mandalika circuit, relaxing by the beautiful beaches, or enjoying a snack in your hotel or home, these treats will definitely make your experience even more memorable!
1. Poteng Jaje Tujak
The unique and exotic-sounding name is just as deserving of its flavor. Poteng jaje tujak is a snack made from a type of fermented rice cake, literally meaning "pounded rice cake snack." Poteng is made from white glutinous rice, while jaje tujak is a mix of black glutinous rice, white glutinous rice, and grated coconut, all pounded into a smooth texture. The process of making poteng jaje tujak is lengthy, involving fermentation for about three days. Jaje tujak itself needs to be steamed twice. With such a special process, it's a shame to miss out on this!
2. Jaje Tumbek
This Mandalika snack resembles a traditional treat from Java called nagasari. Wrapped in leaves and steamed, it shares a similar appearance, but once unwrapped, you’ll notice the difference. This moist cake is made from glutinous rice mixed with grated coconut and palm sugar, and some people even make it with pumpkin. After mixing, the ingredients are steamed and wrapped in coconut leaves, then steamed again.
3. Jaje Reket
Many tourists in Mandalika search for this snack and enjoy it as a dessert. Jaje reket is a traditional Lombok snack made from steamed glutinous rice and wrapped in banana leaves. A similar Mandalika snack is banget, but the key difference lies in the wrapping—banget is only steamed, while jaje reket is wrapped in leaves after steaming, forming a long shape.
4. Goro-Goro
Indonesians are incredibly creative—so many dishes can be made from just one main ingredient. One such example is rice flour, which is turned into a snack called goro-goro in Lombok. Goro-goro is a crispy treat similar to kembang goyang, made from steamed rice flour kneaded with coconut milk. Once cooked, the mixture is combined with lime zest to enhance the flavor. Then, it is shaped using molds (often in the form of flowers) and fried until crispy and golden.
5. Seaweed Dodol
This Lombok delicacy is quite iconic and even a popular souvenir for tourists visiting the area. Its bright, colorful appearance draws attention from both children and adults alike. The sweet taste and chewy texture make it even more enjoyable. Seaweed dodol is made from seaweed flour, sugar, and fruit flavors (with colors adjusted accordingly). It has a sweet flavor balanced by a slightly sour tang. One bite won’t be enough—you’ll be hooked!
6. Kue Cerorot
Another delicious snack from Lombok to balance out the spicy flavors of other local dishes is kue cerorot. The best part is, these cakes can last two to three days, making them perfect as souvenirs. The unique shape of the kue cerorot is made from rice flour, palm sugar, coconut milk, and just a pinch of salt. It's wrapped in janur lidi (young coconut leaf), held together with a stick. Whether you enjoy it in the morning or evening, it's always tasty! These are some of the must-try local snacks that you should not miss when visiting Mandalika, Lombok. Whether you're attending a race at the Mandalika circuit, relaxing by the beautiful beaches, or enjoying a snack in your hotel or home, these treats will definitely make your experience even more memorable!
