33 Must-try street food in Medan – a culinary paradise!

Versi Bahasa Indonesia: https://indonesia.tripcanvas.co/id/sumatra/kuliner-murah-meriah-di-medan/

Written by Cisca Lim
Edited by Jiayi Ng

Medan may be known as “only” the 3rd biggest city in Indonesia, but it’s no exaggeration to call it the Number 1 culinary paradise!

Located in North Sumatra, Medan is a prime destination to source for the most unique and delicious dishes of all kinds. With a variety of mouth-watering choices influenced by different ethnicity and cultures, you can find street food with Chinese, Arab, local Malay and Bataknese vibes that will give you a flavourful experience (for a fraction of the price you can get in Singapore and Malaysia too)!

Also read:

24 Natural and cultural attractions in West Sumatra after you visit Lake Toba

The complete guide to Belitung Island – an affordable island paradise you never knew existed

So, if you are visiting Samosir or Lake Toba, make sure you stop by and dedicate a day or two to check out Medan’s street food delicacies. We’ve even made this super convenient by splitting them based on your halal/non-halal preference!

Now, join us as we dive into some of the best-tasting wonders that Medan has to offer:

Getting to Medan

Halal

1. The Unrivalled Chicken Curry King of Medan – Curry Bihun Tabona

It’s been going for 80 years now, and this curry stall is not slowing down anytime soon with its flavourful curry broth.

Loved as both breakfast and lunch, your bowl of curry is thick with aroma and spices, as well as piles of chicken meat, blood cubes, and boiled potatoes. To round things off with the perfect touch, you can choose the crowd-favourite rice vermicelli as your main meal, or rice to go with this spicy heavenliness.

2. Delicious to the Last Soto Drop – Soto Kesawan

Located just across Tjong A Fie Mansion on the old street of Kesawan, Soto Kesawan is ready to tantalise your tastebuds. Serving delicious traditional yellow soup named Soto, this seller mixes it with huge prawn bits for that extra wholesome taste.

Doesn’t sound filling enough for Your Gluttony Highness? You can also opt for chicken, beef and intestines to go with your plate of rice.

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3. Hot Chicken, Cold Chicken, Everything Chicken – RM Acuan Pek Cam Kee

We don’t know which we love more – a hearty plate of rice served with Chinese boiled chicken, or a gorgeous cold dish platter filled with juicy chicken goodness. The verdict is, order both to enjoy a full experience of Acuan Pek Cam Ke’s tasty creations.

This stall also sells chicken porridge and duck beehoon, so you definitely have options even if you’re not a chicken person. (Though we highly doubt anyone could walk away without becoming a chicken person…)

4. The One Duck Dish You Can’t Leave Medan Without – Bihun Bebek Kumango (ASIE)

If you can only have one meal in Medan and duck is your thing – make time for this, you won’t regret it.

Served in extra generous portions, juicy duck meat fills your bowl along with its best friends, fried garlic and spring onions. The kingmaker here is the duck broth that is beyond delicious – a work of culinary art that’s only made possible after endless hours of preparation.

5. The Iconic “Crabby” Aceh Dish That’ll Make You Happy –  Mie Aceh Titi Bobrok

This dish may be “crabby”, but you definitely won’t be once you’ve tried it.

One of the most recommended street-food in Medan, this noodle dish from Aceh comes with a special spicy secret sauce that’s difficult to find elsewhere, and a giant crab on the side. You can choose either a dry, watery or soupy dish, but every bite promises the strong spicy aroma of an authentic traditional dish.

6. Sinful Nasi Padang with Yummy Crunchy Sides – Gumarang Jaya

Satisfy your craving for something spicy and salty with Nasi Padang from Gumarang Jaya.

Nasi Padang is essentially a mini banquet of plain rice served with authentic curry sauce, crunchy cucumber, boiled vegetables, and generous green and red chilli. The must-eat dish to pair with your Nasi Padang is, of course, the giant prawn crackers and the deep fried chicken that are simply to-die-for!

7. Breakfast Fit for Champions – Rumah Makan Nusa Indah

Serving hearty meals for over 30 years now, Nusa Indah is a small store by the street that the locals frequent daily for their breakfast fix.

Among the numerous choices in the menu, Nasi Gurih is the most popular for its simple yet indulging taste. The dish is prepared with sambal, potato crisp, tauco and curry sauce on top of cucumber slices – a killer combination that already sounds as good as it tastes!

8. Legendary Hainanese Chicken Rice in Town – Nasi Ayam Selat Panjang No.10

This chicken rice has been around for more than 40 years and counting, but fast service and yummy food makes up for the huge crowd any day.

Each portion comes with fragrant chicken rice and a small plate of mixed meat. On the plate, there are chunks of fried and boiled chicken meat that’s yummy from the skin to the bone, prawns bathed in chilli sauce, squid, a small tofu and half an egg. There’s also a simple clear soup for that satisfying finish – but how could we be satisfied without seconds?

9. There’s Always Room for More Street-Style Fried Rice – Nasi Goreng Wak Ribut

This fried rice is prepared in huge portions – 50 plates at one go. But that doesn’t mean that they are prepared without care (although it does mean that you can eat 50 plates at one go)!

Every kernel of rice is browned from the sweet soy sauce and consistent in flavour, and you can pick from beef or chicken toppings as well a choice of egg. We love it with a sunny side up for that sinful taste of melting yolk in every spoonful of fragrant rice.

10. The Instant Noodle Superstar – Warkop Agam Senyum

No one is immune to the deliciousness of Indomie, also widely known as the winning instant noodles in Indonesia. In Medan, you can find countless warungs selling Indomie of all kinds.

Our pick goes to the 24-hour Warkop Agam, which is situated at the corner of a busy district, cooking up bowl after bowl of fried or soupy instant noodle deliciousness. Thanks to its special secret sauce, you’ll end up ordering more for sure!

11. Making the Traditional Cool Again – Pecel Lele Mbak Bolek, Wajir

Pecel Lele is another ubiquitous dish in Medan, but Mbak Bolek puts a unique spin on it by serving variations of it to go with their fragrant Nasi Uduk, the steamed coconut rice.

From Chilli Mussels Padang Sauce, Fried Chicken with Green Sambal and Sayur Asam to the deep-fried Tofu Ball, Pecel Lele Mbak Bolek is a full Indonesian experience that you don’t want to miss.

12. Cow Can Misop Taste This Good – Mie Sop Methodist a.k.a Misop Pak Haji Siran

Misop is another Medan culinary dish that’s available everywhere and is often marked by the presence of meatballs, chicken shreds, flavourful soup and dollops of chilli sauce.

But this Misop is different – it’s filled to the brim with chunks of beef, intestines and beansprouts. The soup is thick with beef broth that’s been simmered for hours, and is guaranteed to taste heavenly!

13. Snakehead Soup That’s Worth Waiting For – Bihun Sup Ikan Kotacane

The queue is long and may take up to 40 minutes or more, but people are staying put until they have had a bowl of this rice vermicelli served in milky white snakehead soup.

The combination of the soft fried fillet and the indulging soup will fill you up with delicious warmth for sure. What can we say – some things are worth waiting for.

14. Favourite Chicken Noodles Breakfast in Town – Mie Ayam Waringin

In Medan, there’s no shortage of wonton noodles, but good chicken noodles can be difficult to come by.

This is why this noodle stall is always packed, because it promises a simple bowl of deliciousness! The texture of the noodles is just right, and the fragrant oil, chicken bits, spring onions and a side of simple clear soup simply add to the perfection.

What a way to start your day right!

15. The One Lontong Sayur that Never Disappoints – Lontong Kak Umi

Lontong Medan has a special place in everyone’s heart but this one wins ours. Kak Umi has been selling delicious lontong sayur and Nasi Gurih for over 20 years!

Her Lontong Sayur consists of yummy rice cakes drenched in vegetable stew and spicy coconut milk, sprinkled with crackers and potato sambal, then served along with other side dishes. In addition to Lontong Sayur, you can also find Nasi Gurih here – an equally addictive local dish!

16. Quality Caffeine Fix with Avocado Superstar – Macehat Coffee

At first glance, Macehat Coffee is nothing but a humble set-up of several comfortable seats and a green garden in a homeowner’s backyard. This little store may look unassuming, but don’t be fooled!

Inside, waiters are busy serving coffee concoctions behind the counter. Other than the usual aromatic picks such as luwak kopi, people can’t get enough of Macehat’s thick Avocado Coffee Float, topped with ice cream (who doesn’t love avocado?).

This unique creation even comes with a tiny cup of espresso for that bitter kick that perfectly balances the sweet chocolaty flavor!

17. Flavourful Meat Skewers with Fragrant Sauce – Sate Padang Al Fresco

A little bit spicy, a lot more yummy – Sate Padang is an intense must-try dish when you’re in Medan.

With so many choices scattered around town, this name stands out because of its consistently flavourful sauce and large variety of tasty satay. If fried shallots are your thing, make sure you ask for more of them to savour the thick sauce with!

18. Juicy Rib Bones with an Explosive Flavour – RM Sipirok

Workout and eat at the same time? Yes, that’s possible, because your jaw muscles are going to get the workout of a lifetime.

A huge chunk of rib bone in a bowl of clear soup is a common sight here at RM Sipirok, and it’s practically blasphemy if you don’t suck the juicy bone marrow out to the very last drop. This authentic Tapanuli dish is extra savoury and flavourful, with a hint of saltiness that goes perfectly with your rice.

19. Shell-Lovers’ Heaven! Clams, Cockles, Scallops and More – Papa Kerang

Love shells? You shell not miss out on this place!

Pick your shells of the day and the seller will boil them to a tender and juicy texture. Your experience is completed with a special sauce, made from pineapple, soy sauce and chilli. There are also bits of peanut for that extra crunch factor that will keep you chewing long after your clams are gone!

20. A Dessert Kingdom for the Sweetest Tooth – Es Campur Amo

Name your dessert and this stall will deliver its best and sweetest to you.

From Es Campur (mixed fruit iced dessert), Banana Kolak (Indonesian banana dessert gently poached in mixture of coconut milk, pandan leaves, palm sugar, sea salt and vanilla) and Es Teler (Indonesian fruit cocktail) to avocado, most of the desserts are coconut-milk based and drizzled with thick palm sugar on top.

But of course, not before piling on shaved ice that’s prepared using an old-school hand-cranked machine!

21. Egg-cellent Stuffed Fried Pancake – Martabak Gapa

What’s square, thick and egg-citing? It’s the folded stuffed omelette, also known as Martabak Telur, from this famous food truck!

Your martabak is made from various ingredients such as minced shallots, spring onions, diced potatoes and beaten eggs. The enticing mixture is poured onto a flat-out crepe on the pan, then fried to yellow perfection. Served with a side of curry, fresh shallot and cucumbers, it’s filling and addictive for sure!

22. Cold and Sweet Taste of Nostalgia – Es Krim Ria

Ice cream is always a good idea! This shop has been opened since 1936 and used to be a famous dating spot for the older generation.

Now, it may look like just a regular ice cream spot, but with a very old-school ambience. Our favourite is the orange ice cream dipped in orange juice and other flavours dipped in soda. It’s simple but it works!

23. Fresh Fruits with Melt-in-Your-Mouth Palm Sugar Sauce – Rujak Kolam Takana Juo

Fruit lovers, brace yourself for what might be the best thing you’ve ever seen (or eaten).

Watch as the seller prepares the sauce (also known as Sambel Uleg) on the spot, using a stone mortar and pestle. After he puts in the chillies, palm sugar, peanuts and other secret sauces, in goes fruits of all kinds – pineapple, papaya, bengkoang and more. The result is an authentic, juicy, spicy and fresh plateful of sensational and healthy dessert!

24. Hybrid Pancakes Like No Other – Martabak Yurich

Do you like traditional food with a modern twist? Well, we do, and you’re going to love Martabak Yurich.

This special pancake is the first of its kind, delivering a unique chewy taste much like that of Bika Ambon (a signature Medanese delicacy). But most importantly, it successfully plays on trendy flavours such as red velvet, nutella, toblerone, taro and other creative hybrids. The result is mouth-watering, while the gorgeous presentation makes you want to sink your teeth into that fluffy goodness right away.

25. As Delicious As It’s Nutritious – Teh Susu Telur (TST) Pak Haji

What happens when you mix tea, milk and egg together? You’ll get a warm drink that’s delightfully sweet, slightly thick in consistency and surprisingly healthy!

Teh Susu Telur is everyone’s go-to place for a warm beverage at night with a side of rissole (small croquette pastry) and other delicious snacks. Who said late-night snacks were unhealthy?

Non-halal

26. Pig Out On the Most Authentic Bataknese Dish – Babi Panggang Karo Roma

If Bali has babi guling, Medan has Babi Panggang Karo (BPK).

This authentic Bataknese pork dish is all about juicy pork that is fried, grilled or cooked into a spicy, gravy-rich meal. While there are many BPK vendors, we love Roma for its crispy pork, pounded cassava leaves, andaliman pepper sambal and the infamous pig blood sauce.

27. Hokkien Noodles with a Seafood Fiesta – Bakmi Hock Seng, Gwangju Street

This delectable bowl of noodles is a fiesta of all the best ingredients, prepared with either yellow noodles, kweitiau or beehoon (or all!).

Prawns, crab meat, oysters, fish balls, fish cakes and pork meat come together to give this dish its rich taste – and you the best meal of the day! As your tastebuds dance with this masterpiece, made fragrant with lettuce and coriander leaves, you’d know why the price is worth every bite.

28. The Master of Fried Kwetiau in Medan – Kwetiau Ateng

There’s a name in town that locals swear by for their fried flat rice noodles (fried kwetiau), and you know your tastebuds are going to be happy!

Ateng now has multiple outlets and all offer the same signature taste, along with its jumbo prawns, sweet chinese sausages, big portions and sweet spicy sauce. Ask for that crispy pork lard to savour with your dish with and you’ll enjoy every bite of it.

29. Super Flavourful Barbecued & Roasted Pork Goodness – Asan Chasio

With perfectly barbecued char siu (roasted pork) and roasted pork belly that’s crunchy, tender and sweet at the same time, it’s no wonder this vendor is always busy chopping away to feed happy patrons.

The succulent meat is laid separately on a small plate along with eggs and thinly sliced cucumber, then drizzled with sweet honey-like sauce and paired with plain rice for the perfect all-rounded taste. You’ll even get some salted vegetable soup to refresh your palate from all the savouriness.

Now this is one meal we can’t nitpick at.

30. Crab Meat Spring Rolls Meet Char Siu Pork – Popiah Yose Rizal

Spring has come for your tummy, in the form of Popiah Yose Rizal.

Not your ordinary spring roll, Popiah Yose Rizal serves a piece of thin rice paper with a rich harmony of fillings. Crab meat, chopped roasted pork, tons of radish, green beans, carrots and fried shallots are rolled into little white pillows, which you can also request to be deep fried. Just don’t forget to dip it into the sweet chilli red sauce for that heavenly tang!

31. Slurping Down the Best Tiong Sim Noodle – Mie Pangsit Tiongsim, Selat Panjang

One of the longest standing food stalls in Medan, Tiong Sim Noodle at Selat Panjang has been in business since 1940.

Serving long thin noodles that are perfect for some noisy slurping, this comfort food is filled with chicken meat, sweet pork, fat wontons, and loads of fried shallot. Add the chopped pickled red chillies, and there you have it – the best Tiong Sim noodle in Medan.

Special Mention – Food souvenirs

You’re not leaving Medan without these delicacies as souvenirs for your family and friends back home. Make sure you get more, in case you finish them yourself (you probably will)!

32. The Un-Bee-lievably Sweet Honeycomb Dessert from Medan – Bika Ambon Zulaikha

Bika Ambon Medan has evolved much over the years from the original version. With a porous and chewy texture, traditional liquor is also infused into this yellowish dessert to create its signature fragrant flavour.

You can find this sweet snack along the entire Mojopahit street, but you can’t go wrong with Zulaikha, the biggest player in town. But, to be honest, this is so good that you can basically get it anywhere – no disappointment guaranteed!

33. Fluffy Roll Cake with Too Many Fillings to Count – Bolu Meranti

Bolu Meranti does it right every time with soft melt-in-your-mouth cakes that are rolled with super generous fillings. Many love the cheese version, which is also loaded with cream and extra diced cheese blocks. But we can’t get enough of the chocolate, mocca, blueberry, pineapple and other flavours too, so we say… get them all!

And no, this is not the end of Medan’s street food. In fact, it’s just the beginning! More culinary treats are waiting to be devoured, so what are you waiting for?

This post is made possible by Indonesia Tourism Board

PLEASE NOTE: All the above information is correct at the date of publication. If you come across any changes or updates, please let us know and we will update the information accordingly. Thank you! Tell us

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