Top Local Dishes & Where to Try Them in Balikpapan, Indonesia

1. Sate Balikpapan

Grilled skewered meat served with a peanut sauce, a must-try street food in Balikpapan.

Unique Ingredients: Uses locally sourced beef or chicken marinated in special spices.
Street Food Experience: Offers an authentic local experience when enjoyed at the street stalls.
Affordable: Inexpensive and perfect for a quick, flavorful snack.

Fried rice dish with various meats, vegetables, and egg, often served with a fried egg on top.

Flavorful Mix: Offers a rich blend of spices and textures from the mix-ins.
Versatile: Can be found at local warungs (eateries) throughout Balikpapan.
Affordable: Inexpensive and filling, making it a popular choice for locals and travelers alike.

Meatball soup dish served with noodles and various toppings such as boiled eggs, cabbage, and fried shallots.

Flavorful Broth: Features a flavorful beef broth that is a staple in Balikpapan.
Comfort Food: Offers warmth and comfort, especially during rainy days.
Popular Snack: Found in street food stalls and restaurants across Balikpapan.

Fried catfish served with a mixture of grated coconut, chilies, and peanuts sauce.

Crispy Texture: The crispy fried catfish pairs well with the creamy peanut sauce.
Traditional Dish: Reflects the cultural heritage and culinary traditions of Balikpapan.
Spicy: Offers a spicy kick that is characteristic of Indonesian cuisine.

Steamed rice cake made from tapioca flour, served with grated coconut and sugar.

Sweet Treat: A satisfying sweet snack that is perfect for a break between meals.
Traditional Snack: Reflects the cultural heritage and culinary traditions of Balikpapan.
Gluten-Free: A great option for travelers with dietary restrictions or preferences.

Slow-cooked beef dish in coconut milk and spices, often served with rice.

Rich and Creamy: Features a rich, creamy sauce that is full of flavor.
Slow-Cooked: Requires patience and care to cook, resulting in a tender and flavorful dish.
Spicy: Offers a spicy kick that is characteristic of Indonesian cuisine.

Fried chicken dish served with chilies, cucumber slices, and a spicy sauce.

Crispy Texture: The crispy fried chicken is perfectly balanced by the tender, juicy interior.
Spicy: Offers a spicy kick that is characteristic of Indonesian cuisine.
Versatile: Can be found at local warungs (eateries) throughout Balikpapan.

Fried bananas coated in batter, a popular sweet snack in Balikpapan.

Sweet Treat: A satisfying sweet snack that is perfect for a break between meals.
Traditional Snack: Reflects the cultural heritage and culinary traditions of Balikpapan.
Portable: Easy to carry and enjoy on-the-go, making it a convenient snack option.

A mix of shaved ice, condensed milk, and various toppings such as sweet beans, jellies, and corn.

Cooling Refreshment: A perfect way to cool down in the tropical climate of Balikpapan.
Customizable: Allows for a variety of combinations, catering to individual preferences.
Affordable: Inexpensive and refreshing, making it a popular treat among locals and travelers.

Traditional Indonesian layer cake made with coconut milk, pandan leaves, and brown sugar.

Sweet Treat: A satisfying sweet treat that is perfect for a dessert.
Traditional Snack: Reflects the cultural heritage and culinary traditions of Balikpapan.
Aromatic: Features a unique aroma from pandan leaves and brown sugar.

Clear chicken soup dish served with rice noodles, tofu, and various herbs.

Flavorful Broth: Features a flavorful, clear broth that is comforting and satisfying.
Balanced: Offers a balance of flavors and textures from the various ingredients.
Versatile: Can be found at local warungs (eateries) throughout Balikpapan.

Spicy fish head curry made with coconut milk and various spices.

Flavorful Sauce: Features a rich, flavorful sauce that is full of depth.
Cultural Significance: Signifies respect for the fish and its head, symbolizing a resource not to be wasted.
Spicy: Offers a spicy kick that is characteristic of Indonesian cuisine.

Fish cake made from fish paste and coconut milk, served with spicy chili sauce.

Unique Texture: Offers a unique texture that is soft yet chewy.
Spicy: Offers a spicy kick that is characteristic of Indonesian cuisine.
Traditional Snack: Reflects the cultural heritage and culinary traditions of Balikpapan.

Fruit salad served with a sweet and spicy peanut sauce.

Healthy Option: Offers a healthy, refreshing option among the rich local dishes.
Customizable: Allows for a variety of combinations, catering to individual fruit preferences.
Spicy: Offers a spicy kick that is characteristic of Indonesian cuisine.

Sweet and refreshing dessert made with shaved ice, milk, avocado, jackfruit, and other toppings.

Cooling Refreshment: A perfect way to cool down in the tropical climate of Balikpapan.
Customizable: Allows for a variety of combinations, catering to individual preferences.
Affordable: Inexpensive and refreshing, making it a popular treat among locals and travelers.