10 Culinary Tours in Cirebon that Present Local Flavors & Unique Foods

Discover the best culinary tourism destinations in Cirebon that present unforgettable local flavors, perfect for food lovers.

Cirebon, a city located on the north coast of Java Island, has an extraordinary attraction for tourists, especially for those who love to enjoy various delicious culinary delights.

As an area with cultural diversity, Cirebon offers various dishes that combine traditional flavors with influences from various cultures, such as Chinese and Sundanese.

From legendary dishes to more contemporary fare, Cirebon offers a rich and colorful culinary experience. Let’s explore 10 Culinary Attractions in Cirebon that you must try when visiting this city.

1. Mrs. Nur’s Jamblang Rice

One of Cirebon’s most iconic culinary delights is Nasi Jamblang, which is served with a variety of delicious side dishes. Nasi Jamblang Bu Nur is a place that has been famous for a long time and is a favorite of many people.

Here, nasi jamblang is served with white rice placed on teak leaves, giving it a distinctive aroma that is appetizing. A variety of side dishes are available, such as potato satay, fried beef brain, black squid, perkedel, and many more.

The savory and rich spice taste makes Nasi Jamblang Bu Nur a highly recommended culinary destination.

2. Empal Gentong Haji Apud

Empal gentong is a typical Cirebon food that should not be missed. At Empal Gentong Haji Apud, you can enjoy empal gentong with thick coconut milk sauce and tender beef. This food is very suitable to be enjoyed with lontong or rice.

In addition to empal gentong, this place also serves empal asem, which has a fresher and spicier sauce. Empal Gentong Haji Apud has long been a popular place, especially for tourists who want to taste the typical taste of Cirebon.

3. M. Toha’s Porridge

Bubur M. Toha is the ideal place if you want to enjoy delicious porridge anytime. This stall is open 24 hours, so you can come anytime to taste chicken porridge complete with various toppings such as crackers, peanuts, and chili sauce.

Besides chicken porridge, they also serve green bean porridge and black sticky rice porridge. This place is always crowded, so make sure you come at the right time to get a comfortable seat and enjoy a warm and delicious porridge dish.

4. Seafood H. Moel

As a coastal city, Cirebon is certainly rich in fresh seafood dishes. One place you must visit is Rumah Makan Haji Moel. Here, you can enjoy various seafood dishes such as crab with padang sauce, squid satay, fried gourami, to shrimp with oyster sauce.

In addition to seafood, this place also offers a Chinese food menu such as fried kwetiau and capcai. Haji Moel Restaurant has been operating for more than 30 years, and the quality of its food has been maintained until now.

5. Empal Gentong Mang Darma

Empal Gentong Mang Darma is another legendary eatery in Cirebon that has been around since 1947. The specialty of empal gentong here lies in the way it is cooked, namely by using a clay pot heated over firewood.

This process gives empal gentong a distinctive taste, making the beef more tender and the sauce more savory. In addition to empal gentong, you can also enjoy nasi lengko, nasi jamblang, and tahu gejrot which are no less delicious.

6. Mang Dul’s Jamblang Rice

Nasi Jamblang Mang Dul is a legendary culinary place that is famous in Cirebon. Nasi jamblang here is served with white rice placed on teak leaves and accompanied by various side dishes such as potato satay, perkedel, squid, and others.

Nasi Jamblang Mang Dul was first opened in the 1970s and still maintains its authentic taste. This place is a favorite of many people, including the 6th President of Indonesia, Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, who made it one of his favorites.

7. Nasi Lengko H. Barno

Nasi Lengko H. Barno is one of the places to enjoy nasi lengko, a Cirebon specialty that has been around since 1968. Nasi lengko is served with white rice, fried tofu and tempeh, cucumber, bean sprouts, and chives, all sprinkled with fried onions.

Nasi lengko here has a distinctive taste and can be perfected with Cap Matahari sweet soy sauce, which has become part of Indonesian culinary tradition. This place is very affordable and is the choice of many people to enjoy simple yet appetizing Cirebon dishes.

8. Abah Gaul’s Koclok Noodles

If you are looking for a nighttime culinary experience in Cirebon, Mie Koclok Abah Gaul is the right choice. This noodle shop is only open at night and serves mie koclok with a thick, savory and delicious sauce.

Mie koclok here uses fresh ingredients and is served with a rich coconut milk sauce. In addition to mie koclok, this place also offers various side dishes that you can try, creating a pleasant dinner atmosphere amidst the cool air of Cirebon.

9. Mang Sam’s Koclok Noodles

Mie Koclok Mang Sam is a legendary culinary place that has been around for more than 50 years. Mie koclok here is famous for its thick and savory coconut milk sauce, blending with the fresh ingredients used in the dish.

In addition to mie koclok, you can also enjoy gado-gado doused with mie koclok sauce which makes the taste even more unique. Mie Koclok Mang Sam has become part of Cirebon’s culinary history and should not be missed.

10. Fried Tofu

Tahu gejrot is a typical Cirebon snack that is easily found in various eateries in the city. This food consists of pieces of tofu mixed with sweet and spicy soy sauce, served with a sauce that tastes savory, spicy, and slightly sweet.

Tahu gejrot is perfect as a snack when you are walking around Cirebon or enjoying the atmosphere of a traditional market. Its unique taste makes tahu gejrot a popular snack among tourists and locals.

With a variety of culinary choices rich in flavor and full of tradition, Cirebon offers a culinary experience that not only pampers the tongue but also introduces the richness of Indonesian culinary culture.

From nasi jamblang, empal gentong, to mie koclok, every dish in Cirebon has its own unique taste and is worth trying.

So, make sure to visit the 10 culinary tourism spots in Cirebon mentioned above, enjoy the authentic and unforgettable deliciousness of Cirebon food, and don’t forget to bring home Typical Cirebon Souvenirs as a memento of your trip!