Bandung Street Food: Cheap, Delicious, and Legendary
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Bandung is one of the cities with the richest street food culture in Indonesia. On every corner of the city, you can find street vendors selling incredibly tasty food at wallet-friendly prices. From the traditional to the trendy, it's all here!
1. Cilok (Chewy Tapioca Balls) — Aci Dicolok
Cilok is made from balls of aci (tapioca flour) that are boiled, then eaten with spicy peanut sauce. The texture is chewy and savory. These days, cilok comes with all kinds of fillings — cheese, meatballs, chicken, even quail eggs!
2. Gehu Pedas (Spicy Stuffed Fried Tofu) — Bandung's Signature Tahu Isi
Gehu, or tahu isi, is tofu that's split open, filled with vegetables and spicy seasoning, then fried. Crispy on the outside, spicy on the inside. The most famous gehu can be found around the Setiabudi and Pasteur areas.
3. Cimol (Crispy Fried Tapioca Balls) — Aci Digemol
Similar to cilok but fried, cimol is made from tapioca balls that are crispy outside and chewy inside. They're usually sprinkled with BBQ seasoning, balado (spicy chili) seasoning, or cheese powder. An addictive, budget-friendly snack!
4. Bajigur — Warm Spiced Drink
Bajigur is a traditional Sundanese drink made from coconut milk, palm sugar, ginger, and a pinch of salt. It's served warm, perfect for a chilly night in Bandung. It's usually sold alongside bandrek (another warm spiced drink).
5. Lotek — Traditional Sundanese Salad
Lotek is a mix of boiled vegetables drizzled with a signature peanut sauce. It's similar to gado-gado, but the sauce is lighter and fresher. The vegetables usually include water spinach, bean sprouts, cabbage, and long beans.
6. Comro (Fried Cassava with Spicy Oncom Filling) — Oncom di Jero
Comro is short for "oncom di jero," meaning oncom (fermented soybean cake) on the inside. This dish is made from grated cassava filled with spicy oncom sambal, then fried. Crispy, savory, and full of unique flavor.
7. Kupat Tahu (Rice Cake and Tofu) — A Favorite Bandung Breakfast
Kupat tahu is a combination of ketupat (compressed rice cake), fried tofu, bean sprouts, and peanut sauce, topped with sweet soy sauce broth. Sprinkled with fried shallots and crackers — a filling, perfect breakfast!
8. Cireng (Crispy Fried Tapioca Cakes) — Aci Digoreng
Cireng, meaning "fried aci," is a fried snack made from tapioca flour that's crispy and chewy. These days, filled cireng (with rujak spicy fruit sauce, cheese, or chicken) is a huge trend among young people.
9. Peuyeum — Bandung's Signature Fermented Cassava
Peuyeum is fermented cassava made using a traditional process. It tastes sweet, slightly tangy, and has a distinctive aroma. It can be eaten as is or turned into colenak, dodol, and other treats.
10. Tahu Susu (Milk Tofu) — Bandung's Premium Snack
Tahu susu Lembang is tofu made with a blend of fresh milk. It has a softer texture and creamier flavor than regular tofu. It's usually eaten with sweet chili sauce or peanut sauce.
Ready to Snack?
There you have it — 10 Bandung street foods that deserve a spot on your bucket list. They typically cost under Rp 20,000 (about $1.30), but taste just as good as pricier restaurant fare. Happy snack hunting!
