Bandung Drinks: Not Just Tea and Coffee
Products You Might Need
* Affiliate links — you can help support KulinerBDG by shopping through them
If you're visiting Bandung, don't just try the food. The drinks also have their own distinct, unique character! From traditional beverages inherited from ancestors to trendy, Instagram-worthy creations — Bandung has it all.
1. Bajigur — The Warmth of Sundanese Spices
Bajigur is a traditional Sundanese drink made from coconut milk, palm sugar, ginger, and a pinch of salt. It tastes creamy, sweet, and warms you from the inside. It's usually sold by street vendors at night or at traditional food stalls. Bajigur is best enjoyed when the weather is cold, especially in the cool Lembang area.
2. Bandrek — The Warm and Spicy One
Similar to bajigur but without coconut milk, bandrek focuses more on a strong ginger flavor mixed with palm sugar and spices like cloves, cinnamon, and pandan leaf. There are variations like bandrek susu (milk bandrek) and bandrek telur (egg bandrek) that are creamier. This drink is believed to warm up the body and relieve colds.
3. Cendol Elizabeth — A Legendary Bandung Drink
Cendol Elizabeth (a Sundanese iced dessert drink made with rice-flour jelly noodles) on Jalan Veteran is one of the most legendary cendol spots in Bandung. What sets it apart is the super-thick coconut milk, the genuinely rich palm sugar, and the smooth-textured cendol jelly noodles. The line is always long, but it's worth the wait! One glass of Cendol Elizabeth can instantly make your day better.
4. Es Goyobod — A Unique Drink from Garut
Es goyobod originally comes from Garut but is very popular in Bandung. This drink is made from hunkue (mung bean flour jelly) cut into small pieces, mixed with coconut milk, liquid palm sugar, and ice. Its texture is unique — chewy, creamy, and refreshing. The name "goyobod" itself means "to wobble," referring to the way the hunkue jelly wobbles as you drink it.
5. Kopi Susu Gula Aren (Palm Sugar Coffee Milk) — Bandung's Trendy Craze
Bandung is one of the cities with the most thriving coffee shop culture in Indonesia. It seems like a new coffee shop opens almost every week! The most popular signature drink is kopi susu gula aren — espresso mixed with fresh milk and palm sugar, which gives it a natural caramel flavor. Some local Bandung coffee shops you must try: Kopi Toko Djawa, Armor Kopi, and Two Hands Full.
Bonus: Make It Yourself at Home!
You can make all of the drinks above yourself at home. Check out the collection of traditional drink recipes on KulinerBDG for the complete guide. From bajigur and bandrek to es goyobod — you'll find recipes for all of them!
