10 Typical Foods of North Maluku, Delicious Spices and Seafood from the Eastern Land fresh seafood

Discover the rich flavors of North Maluku with typical dishes featuring fresh seafood and aromatic spices from the enchanting Eastern Land.

North Maluku Province, located in eastern Indonesia, is famous for its natural wealth, especially seafood and spices. This makes North Maluku have a rich and unique culinary heritage, with distinctive flavors that are hard to find anywhere else.

Here are 10 Typical North Maluku Foods that you must try to experience for yourself the deliciousness and uniqueness of the cuisine of this region.

1. Canary Cane

Gatang Kenari is a typical North Maluku dish that uses land crab as its main ingredient. Different from sea crabs, land crabs have a softer and tastier meat texture. This dish is served with special spices, such as onions, chilies, and lime, which enrich the taste.

The local government has restricted the use of this land crab to maintain the sustainability of its population, but a number of restaurants have obtained permission to continue serving this delicious culinary delight.

2. Complete Kasbi

Kasbi is the name for cassava in North Maluku, which is often used as a staple food by the local people. Kasbi Komplet is a boiled cassava dish served with a variety of vegetables and side dishes.

This dish is usually accompanied by banana heart, papaya leaves, kohu-kohu fish puri, or grilled fish with rica. The combination of the soft taste of cassava with typical vegetables makes Kasbi Komplet a healthy and filling dish.

3. Smoked Skipjack Tuna or Tuna

smoked fish dishes from North Maluku. The smoking process is done by placing the fish over hot coals slowly, until it produces a dry texture on the outside but remains soft on the inside.

This fish is rich in calcium, protein, and vitamins, making it very nutritious. Smoked Fish is best served with warm rice, sambal colo-colo, and crackers.

4. Banda Fish with Nutmeg Soup

Banda Nutmeg Fish Sauce is a soup dish that is rich in spices, such as nutmeg, pepper, chili, laos, and coriander. This yellow sauce, which is full of spices, gives a very distinctive savory and warm taste.

This dish used to be a special food for the Dutch colonialists and has now become a daily culinary delight enjoyed by the people of North Maluku.

5. Kohu Kohu

Kohu-Kohu is a typical North Maluku salad consisting of fresh vegetables such as lettuce, cucumber, basil, bean sprouts, and long beans.

This dish is served with Medan anchovies and drizzled with serundeng seasoning made from grated coconut, chili, and shrimp paste.

Accompanied by a drizzle of lime juice, Kohu-Kohu has a fresh, savory, and slightly sour taste, very similar to urap in Java but with a distinctive Maluku touch.

6. Tidore Layer Cake

Lapis Tidore is a traditional cake from North Maluku made from rice flour and coconut milk. The texture is soft with just the right amount of sweetness.

This cake comes in a variety of bright colors, such as green, yellow, and red, making it an attractive dessert or snack. The name of this cake is taken from one of the large islands in North Maluku, namely Tidore.

7. Bagea

Bagea is a crispy cake made from sago flour and walnuts, giving it a unique and slightly savory taste. This cake generally has a slightly hard texture when bitten, but melts in the mouth with the right sweetness.

Bagea is often served as a snack or souvenir from North Maluku, and is perfect enjoyed with a cup of warm tea.

8. Fish Lodeh Vegetables with Yellow Soup

Sayur Lodeh Ikan Kuah Kuning is a dish that combines fresh fish with vegetables and coconut milk sauce seasoned with turmeric.

The spices used provide a distinctive savory and slightly spicy taste. This vegetable lodeh is usually served with hot rice, making it a warming and filling dish.

9. Papaya Leaf Salad Rice

Papaya Leaf Ulam Rice is a food made from rice mixed with papaya leaves and various spices. The papaya leaves used give it a slightly bitter taste that blends perfectly with the savory spices, making it a very unique rice dish.

This ulam rice is very delicious served with a side dish of grilled fish or chicken.

10. Colo-Colo Chili Sauce

Colo-Colo chili sauce is a typical North Maluku chili sauce made from cayenne pepper, tomatoes, shallots, and lime.

This chili sauce has a refreshing spicy and sour taste, perfect for adding to the enjoyment of various dishes, especially grilled and smoked fish dishes. Colo-Colo is a mandatory complement to various typical North Maluku dishes.

North Maluku has a variety of culinary specialties that are full of the taste of spices and the richness of seafood. Each dish, from Gatang Kenari to Nasi Ulam Daun Pepaya, offers a unique experience that brings you closer to the traditions and natural richness of this region.

So, if you have the opportunity to visit North Maluku, don’t miss out on trying and enjoying the delicious Typical Maluku Food that are rich in spices and full of flavor.