Explore a variety of legendary Lombok cakes that present unique traditional flavors, from savory snacks to mouth-watering sweets.
Lombok, an island located east of Bali, is not only famous for its extraordinary natural beauty, but also for its unique traditional culinary riches.
One of them is various typical Lombok cakes that are an inseparable part of the culture and traditions of the local community. From sweet to savory snacks, these cakes offer a distinctive and appetizing taste. Here are 10 legendary cakes from Lombok that you must try.
1. Keciput Cake
Keciput cake is a typical Lombok snack which is small and round in shape and is often compared to onde-onde. The difference lies in the filling, because keciput has no filling, but only sticky rice flour dough mixed with sugar, then fried after being coated with sesame seeds.
Its savory sweet taste with a crunchy texture makes keciput a perfect snack to accompany your leisure time, either during traditional events or as a companion to afternoon tea.
As one of the Typical Lombok Souvenirs, this keciput cake has its own charm with its simplicity, yet it remains delicious and appealing.
2. Kerake Cake
Kue kerake is a typical Lombok snack that has a unique shape resembling a bird’s nest. This cake is made from finely grated cassava, then fried until crispy.
One of the main attractions of the kerake cake is the addition of liquid brown sugar which gives it a sweet and legit taste. This cake is also famous as a typical Lombok souvenir because it has a fairly long shelf life, so it can be taken home as a souvenir from this island.
3. Tanjung Satay
Sate Tanjung is not your ordinary satay. This satay is made from skipjack tuna or mackerel which has soft and rich flavor.
The pieces of fish are seasoned with typical Lombok spices, including coconut milk, then grilled until fragrant.
Unlike most satay, sate tanjung is served without lontong, making it a snack that is suitable to be eaten at any time. The name “Tanjung” comes from its origin in Tanjung, North Lombok, which is the producer of the famous sate tanjung.
4. Tareq Cake
Tareq cake is one of the traditional snacks made from sticky rice. Cooked sticky rice is doused with liquid palm sugar until absorbed, resulting in a sweet and legit taste combined with the chewy texture of sticky rice.
Tareq cake is often served at traditional events as a symbol of togetherness and prosperity. Its distinctive and simple taste makes tareq cake a favorite choice as a traditional dish that is suitable to be enjoyed with family.
5. The Phone is Ringing
Kelepon kecerit is a unique version of the regular kelepon. The skin is made from a thicker and chewier glutinous rice flour dough, while the abundant palm sugar filling will squirt out when bitten, giving a distinctive sweet sensation.
Added with grated coconut on the outside, this kelepon offers a combination of sweet and savory flavors that really pamper the tongue.
“Kecerit” in Sasak refers to the sound that comes out when the palm sugar squirts out, giving this cake a distinctive and easily recognizable characteristic.
6. Tumbek
Tumbek is a typical Lombok wet snack that is similar to lepet. This cake is made from sticky rice mixed with brown sugar and grated coconut, then steamed until cooked.
Once cooked, the tumbek mixture is wrapped in coconut leaves and steamed again until the coconut leaves wilt.
This cake has a sweet and savory taste that comes from the combination of coconut and brown sugar. Tumbek is usually served at various traditional events and celebrations in Lombok.
7. Seaweed Dodol
Seaweed dodol is a unique variant of traditional dodol made from seaweed as the main ingredient. Unlike regular dodol which uses sticky rice flour, seaweed dodol uses seaweed mixed with coconut milk, granulated sugar, and several other spices.
This dodol is given food coloring to make it look more attractive. It tastes sweet and chewy, and what’s more interesting, this seaweed dodol is very healthy because of the nutritional content of the seaweed itself.
8. Kerong Cake
Kerong cake is a typical Lombok dry cake that is round and serrated, resembling a snail. This cake is made from wheat flour, granulated sugar, chicken eggs, water, and a little butter. After the dough is mixed, the cake is shaped into a ball and fried until cooked and crispy.
Kerong cake has a sweet and savory taste, suitable for everyday snacks or souvenirs from Lombok. This cake is easy to find in various culinary shops in Lombok, so you can easily bring this souvenir home.
9. Tekel or Pillow Cake
Pillow cake or tekel is a typical Lombok wet cake that is shaped like a small pillow. This cake is made from sticky rice, grated coconut, sugar, salt, and bananas.
Once the dough is ready, the banana pieces are put into the sticky rice dough which is then wrapped using janur and steamed until cooked.
Tekel has a sweet and savory taste with a chewy texture from the sticky rice and the softness of the banana fruit that complements it. This cake is often served at traditional events and celebrations.
10. Seaweed Candy
Candied seaweed is a typical Lombok snack that has a sweet and sour taste, perfect for snacking. This candy is made from seaweed mixed with sugar and other ingredients, then made into a candy with a chewy texture and refreshing taste.
Candied seaweed can be purchased at Lombok souvenir shops and is a great choice for a souvenir or travel snack. Its unique taste makes it a very popular snack among tourists.
Lombok not only offers stunning natural charm, but also a variety of delicious culinary specialties.
These legendary Lombok cakes, ranging from sweet to savory snacks, are an important part of the local cultural heritage that are worth tasting.
Each dish of Typical Lombok Food has its own unique taste and method of preparation, providing an unforgettable culinary experience.
So, make sure to try these various Lombok cakes when visiting this island, and bring home sweet memories in the form of souvenirs that are not only delicious but also rich in tradition.