Coconut Satay Recommended Dish in Surabaya

Coconut Satay, a must-try dish when visiting Surabaya

When talking about Surabaya, a large port city in Indonesia, besides the city's hustle and fast-paced lifestyle, one of the charms that impressed me, mr.hotsia, is the local cuisine here, especially the coconut satay, which in the local language is calledSete KlopoThis is a unique satay dish and I consider it a recommended food of this city.

Satay in Surabaya comes in many forms, but coconut satay is a local specialty because it uses roasted grated coconut mixed with chicken or beef before grilling. This gives a distinct fragrant coconut aroma and a richer taste than regular satay. The sauce served with it is also different from satay sauces elsewhere, featuring a unique sweet, creamy, and intense flavor that you must try.

Experience tasting coconut satay in Surabaya

When I was walking around Surabaya, I intended to try coconut satay and chose a place where many locals were eating. From my experience, nearly empty restaurants often lack freshness and might cause stomach issues. So I followed the delicious aroma of meat coming from a crowded street stall. The sight of satay grilling over hot charcoal, smoke rising, and the sizzling sound of meat touching the fire was exciting and mouth-watering.

The taste of coconut satay here is different from what I had on Madura Island, the origin of the world-famous black satay. I tried it in Sumenep on that island and felt indifferent, but here in Surabaya it was very different. The chicken marinated with roasted coconut was tender and juicy. The sauce poured over it was sweet, creamy, and slightly spicy, making it so enjoyable I couldn’t stop eating.

How to choose accommodation and travel to enjoy Surabaya fully

Besides food, choosing accommodation in Surabaya is very important because the city has several areas that are quite deserted and unsafe. I recommend staying in the area where I stayed and was impressed by the hotelHotel 88which is in a safe zone and convenient for travel, not far from main tourist attractions and the street food markets where I recommend trying coconut satay.

For traveling to Surabaya, there are several options such as flying with AirAsia directly to Surabaya. If you prefer a slower travel experience, I once took a train from Banyuwangi, crossed by ferry to East Java, then continued by train to Surabaya. It was an interesting experience that allowed me to see more of the local way of life.

Besides coconut satay, what else is interesting in Surabaya?

If you enjoy cultural tourism, Surabaya city itself has a lot of charm. I personally like walking around local markets and various museums here such asSurabaya Museumwhich tells the history and culture of the city in an interesting way. There is also a free tour organized for tourists, which I have joined and was very impressed by because I got to know important places with a local Indonesian female guide who speaks excellent English.Free tours in Surabayahelped make my trip smooth and gave me a better understanding of the city.

If you like street food as I do, I recommend checking outrecommended restaurants in Surabayathat I found. These are street stalls with flavors rivaling upscale restaurants, offering everything from Indonesian grilled chicken, stir-fried stinky beans with shrimp paste, to oxtail soup which I really liked. Although coconut satay is the recommended dish here, I actually prefer this restaurant for its variety and balanced flavors.

Summary of impressions and recommendations from mr.hotsia

If you plan to visit Surabaya, don’t miss trying coconut satay, a local dish with a unique character. I recommend choosing places crowded with locals for authentic taste and safety. Also, don’t forget to choose accommodation in safe zones likeHotel 88and take a walk to explore the city’s lifestyle, as well as joinfree tours in Surabayato deepen your understanding of this city.

I, mr.hotsia, have traveled and experienced Surabaya seriously and want to say that although this city is not as flashy as other tourist cities, if you open your heart to the food and culture here, you will have a different and memorable experience for sure. For a fulfilling trip like mr.hotsia, this is the place!