Explore Makassar’s culinary delights with a variety of traditional dishes, from Coto Makassar to Pisang Epe, which are mouth-watering and full of local flavors.

Makassar, a coastal city in South Sulawesi, is famous for its stunning natural attractions such as Losari Beach and Samalona Island. However, Makassar’s charm does not only lie in its nature; the city is also rich in culinary delights with authentic, spice-laden flavors.

For those of you who want to explore the deliciousness of Makassar, here are 10 traditional foods that you must try when visiting this city.

1. Coto Makassar

Coto Makassar is the most iconic traditional dish from Makassar. This soup containing beef and offal is cooked with rich spices, resulting in a thick brown sauce with a savory taste. The tender meat combined with peanut sauce and lime juice gives a fresh and spicy touch.

Usually, coto is served with ketupat or rice as a complement. As part of Typical Makassar Food, Coto Makassar is a must-try dish that tourists always look for to experience the authentic taste of South Sulawesi.

2. Konro Soup

Konro Soup is a beef rib soup dish cooked in a dark brown broth, rich in spices such as cinnamon, candlenuts, and galangal. The tender rib meat and large bones add to the deliciousness when eaten.

This savory and slightly sweet soup is often served with ketupat or white rice, complemented with chili sauce and lime. For lovers of strongly spiced foods, Konro Soup is the right choice to enjoy the distinctive taste of Makassar.

3. Titi Noodles

Mie Titi is a dish made from crispy noodles served with thick seafood-flavored sauce. This dish is often served with a mixture of squid, shrimp, and crab cooked in broth, creating a very tempting savory taste.

Served with pickled cucumber and cayenne pepper, Mie Titi offers a combination of the crunchy taste of noodles and the freshness of seafood broth, making it a unique and satisfying culinary treat.

4. The road

Jalangkote is a typical Makassar snack that is similar to pastel but has differences in the skin and filling. The skin is thinner and crispy, filled with rice noodles, minced meat, and carrots, then served with spicy peanut sauce.

The combination of the savory taste of the filling and the spiciness of the peanut sauce makes Jalangkote a very popular snack, especially as an afternoon snack.

5. Green Banana Ice Cream

Es Pisang Ijo is a dessert made from plantain wrapped in green rice flour dough, served with shaved ice, red syrup, and coconut milk sauce.

The sweet and fresh taste of the banana combined with coconut milk and cold ice, is perfect to enjoy in the hot weather of Makassar. This dish can be easily found in ice shops around the city and is a favorite of tourists as a thirst quencher.

6. Pallubasa

Pallubasa is a soup dish like Coto Makassar but with a different presentation and taste. Made from beef or buffalo, Pallubasa sauce is thicker and served with additional serundeng and raw egg yolk mixed into the hot sauce.

This dish used to be served only to the royal family, but now it can be enjoyed by anyone. Pallubasa is the right choice for those who want to taste another variation of coto with the deliciousness of its distinctive spices.

7. Pallumara

Pallumara is a fish soup cooked with turmeric, shallots, garlic, tamarind, and lime leaves, resulting in a fresh and slightly sour yellow broth. Red snapper, tuna, or milkfish are usually used as the main ingredients.

The sour and fresh taste of pallumara is similar to sweet and sour fish soup, making it perfect to eat with white rice. Pallumara is a perfect dish for those looking for an alternative to beef or buffalo.

8. Barongko

Barongko is a sweet snack made from mashed bananas, mixed with coconut milk, sugar, eggs, and salt, then wrapped in banana leaves and steamed.

This cake has a soft texture and a light sweet taste, perfect as a snack or dessert. Barongko is often served at traditional events or celebrations in Makassar and can be found in traditional cake shops.

9. Epe Banana

Pisang Epe is a snack made from Kepok bananas that are baked until cooked, then flattened and doused with thick brown sugar sauce. Some traders also add toppings such as durian to add to the flavor.

Epe Banana is very delicious to eat while enjoying the evening view at Losari Beach. There are many Pisang Epe sellers lining the streets around Losari Beach, making it an easy-to-find and affordable snack.

10. Burasa, a typical Bugis dish

Burasa is a typical Makassar lontong made from rice and coconut milk, wrapped in young banana leaves and steamed until cooked. It tastes savory with a soft texture, and is usually served with coconut chili sauce or even as a complement to dishes such as Coto Makassar.

Burasa is often found in traditional markets or Makassar restaurants and is a mandatory food in celebrations and traditional events of the Bugis-Makassar people.

Makassar is a heaven for culinary lovers who want to taste traditional dishes with strong and distinctive flavors. Every dish, from Coto Makassar, Pallubasa, to Es Pisang Ijo, has a blend of spices that are full of spices, making culinary tourism in Makassar an unforgettable experience.

Alongside these, Typical Manado Food also offers a unique flavor profile that complements the culinary richness of the region. If you have the opportunity to visit this city, be sure to taste these specialties to enjoy the richness of authentic South Sulawesi flavors.