FAVE FOODS IN SEMARANG

1.   Free Foods from SMP Al Azhar 14

Of course, free foods from SMP Al Azhar are on top. We, exchange student teachers get 35,000 IDR worth of food voucher every day. UNISSULA, our host university only said that the school will provide us snacks only but they have provided us more than that. This amount can cover until lunch. In fact, the nice ladies from the cafeteria would even give us more free foods aside from the voucher that we utilized. These foods include nuggets, soups, chicken, rice, and many others. Also, always bring home ice cream, and different kinds of beverages because even if we have already utilized our voucher for lunch, there’s still plenty of amount left.

2.   Ikan Bakar

I really like the Ikan Bakar at Super Penyet with Mr. Rio, UNISSULA OIA Director. I could tell that the fish was served fresh and it was marinated. Its cooking process was not rushed. We paired it with rice and we were stuffed. I set aside the sambal sauce though because I have low spice tolerance.

3.   Es Buah

Es Buah is a refreshing Indonesian dessert made of mixed fresh fruits served in sweet, icy syrup. It brings a sense of familiarity in me with Filipino Halo-halo, they are like cousins. However, Es Buah has more varieties unlike Filipino traditional Halo-halo. It combines melon, papaya, pineapple, jackfruit, grapes, and sometimes young coconut or kolang-kaling (sugar palm fruit). Not all of the fruits that I’ve mentioned but any of those until it tastes just right.

4.  Soto Ayam

Soto Ayam is a classic Indonesian chicken soup known for its bright yellow broth, which comes from turmeric. It’s a comforting, flavorful dish made with shredded chicken, vermicelli or glass noodles, hard-boiled eggs, and sometimes rice cakes (lontong) or plain rice. We had this when we went to Gedong Songo. I just find its warmth perfect for an empty stomach on a cold weather.

5.   Indomie Mi Goreng

Indomie is Indonesia’s most famous instant noodle brand, beloved not just locally but around the world. It a dry-style noodle (no broth) that’s seasoned with a signature mix of sweet soy sauce (kecap manis), chili, garlic oil, and fried onion. I was hesitant to try this at first because my first Indomie was at Malaysia and it was so spicy. However, we did not put the chili sauce on the noodles and I find it very savory.