Crayfish: Shrimp Head, Mantis Body

Crayfish with a shrimp head and mantis body at Lake Toba, Indonesia

When talking about Indonesia, many people think of Bali, the paradise island full of Hindu culture and the powerful waves of the Indian Ocean. But for me, mr.hotsia, there is another side of Indonesia that is equally impressive: Lake Toba, located on Sumatra Island in the northern part of the country. It was here that I encountered the “crayfish,” a strange creature that amazingly combines the appearance of shrimp and mantis.

First, I must tell you that Lake Toba is the largest volcanic crater lake in Southeast Asia, over 100 kilometers long and 30 kilometers wide, with a large volcanic island in the middle called Samosir Island. The village of Tuktuk, which I visited, is one of the Batak communities living on this island.Tuktuk Village, Lake TobaIt is a village that remarkably preserves traditional ways of life and culture.

My First Encounter with Crayfish at Lake Toba

One morning, while I, mr.hotsia, was walking by the water, I saw local fishermen rowing boats to retrieve shrimp traps along the shore. I noticed a shrimp that looked unusual compared to the ones back home. Its head looked like a normal shrimp, but its body had a hard shell and colors like a mantis. I asked the locals and learned that this creature is called “crayfish.” They often catch it to prepare traditional dishes.

I didn’t hesitate and bought about 1 kilogram, then asked the resort to fry and season it with a local Batak dipping sauce. At first, I planned to make a tom yum soup like at home, but it turned out more like an oxtail soup, which was delicious in its own way. The crayfish meat is firm like mantis shrimp, but the shell is so hard that I had to put a lot of effort into extracting the meat.

I, mr.hotsia, recommend that eating crayfish requires patience and careful shell removal; otherwise, it won’t be fun because the shell is really inedible. The meat’s flavor is not as sweet or striking as shrimp, but when eaten with the Batak-style dipping sauce, the taste becomes surprisingly rich and harmonious.

Traditional Lifestyle and Local Food at Tuktuk Village

Tuktuk Village offers more than just crayfish. Most locals still fish and farm rice in traditional ways. I explored small lakeside eateries serving fresh daily catches like nila fish, a common freshwater fish found in this lake.

Batak cuisine shares many similarities with Thai food, especially in the use of spices like chili and coconut. I had the chance to taste many local dishes made from fresh ingredients, includingMedan CuisineNot far away, there are interesting specialties such as native satay, fragrant with spices and served with a rich dipping sauce.

The Beauty and Charm of Bali from mr.hotsia’s Perspective

Although Lake Toba is one of my favorite destinations, Bali remains an island I, mr.hotsia, deeply love without fading affection.Baliis a cultural city full of Hindu religion and fascinating traditions. You will see small spirit shrines at homes and along streets, as well as beautiful temples and respectful ceremonies.

For those who enjoy fusion cuisine, Bali offers dishes similar to Thai food, especially coconut milk curries and delicious satay, which I have written about inBali Food Culture Articleto the point that I consider it a satay lover’s paradise.

Summary of the Crayfish Experience and Travel in Indonesia

Encountering crayfish at Lake Toba is one of the unique memories I, mr.hotsia, will never forget. Although the meat requires effort to eat, the local Batak-style preparation and flavor made me feel deeply connected to the culture and lifestyle of the people here.

If you have the chance to visit Indonesia, I recommend stopping by Lake Toba and Tuktuk Village to learn about Batak life. Don’t forget to order fried crayfish with local dipping sauce to try. This experience will surely enrich your trip.