Semarang Restaurants and Dining

(Semarang, Central Java, Indonesia)

Semarang is quite different to other large cities on the island of Java, in that it doesn't really offer a particularly good selection of Indonesian restaurants. Most eateries and dining establishments in Semarang are distinctly average, being quite adequate for holiday makers, although not so appealing for gastronomes.

However, since there is such a high Chinese population within the Semarang region, there are a number of good Chinese restaurants based here.

For quick bites rather than formal dining, consider snacking at one of the city's multitude of food carts (kaki lima), which tend to be clustered around the main square and often serve up their tasty morsels on traditional straw mats (lesahans). Alternatively, the cafes and eateries based at the Simpang Lima shopping plaza are a good option and offer plenty of cheap eats.

What to Eat

The cuisine of Indonesia is quite simple and if you find a good local restaurant, then you can expect dishes to include coconut, lemon grass, soy sauce and a variety of spices. Many dishes are accompanied by sticky rice, and fingers are often used instead of a knife and fork, making the whole dining experience quite informal.

In Central Java, the Indonesian cuisine is known for being fairly sweet, with jackfruit often appearing in curries and similar dishes. Other popular Javanese specialities served at restaurants around Semarang include 'lotek' (vegetables, pressed rice and peanut sauce), 'opor ayam' (chicken and coconut curry), 'lumpia Semarang' (spring rolls filled with bamboo shoots), and 'rawon' (rich beef stew).