Discover a variety of delicious and story-filled Bugis culinary specialties, from panada to deppa tori, which will pamper your tongue and enrich your cultural experience.
South Sulawesi, especially Bugis, is known for its rich culture and traditions, including a variety of culinary specialties.
Each dish has a unique taste, authentic ingredients, and a story behind it. Bugis cuisine is not just food but also a reflection of the traditions and local wisdom of its people.
Here are 10 Typical Bugis Culinary delights that you must try to get to know the rich flavors of the Land of Bugis better.
1. Panada: A Taste of the Sea Wrapped in Soft Dough
Panada is a typical Bugis cake that resembles a pastel, but has a softer texture like a donut. Panada dough is filled with cakalang fufu pampis, which is cakalang fish cooked with special spices to produce a savory taste with a touch of spiciness.
This snack is perfect to enjoy with tea in the afternoon. Panada is often made as a typical souvenir from South Sulawesi because of its unique taste and different from ordinary pastels.
2. Sikaporo: Traditional Cake with Soft Texture
Sikaporo is a typical Bugis cake that has an attractive appearance with two layers of color, light green and yellow. The texture is chewy like pudding, making it very popular with many people.
This cake is usually served at traditional events or family celebrations. Its sweet and soft taste makes Sikaporo a perfect dessert. Its simple ingredients, such as coconut milk, sugar, and flour, create a distinctive taste that is hard to forget.
3. Barongko: A King’s Dish That Remains Close to the Heart
Barongko is a typical Bugis dessert which is said to be the favorite food of the Bugis kings. Made from horn bananas, coconut milk, sugar, and eggs, this dough is wrapped in banana leaves and then steamed until cooked.
Barongko has a soft texture with just the right amount of sweetness. This dish is often served at traditional events or big celebrations, making it a symbol of intimacy and honor in Bugis tradition.
4. Roti Berre’: A Tempting Combination of Apem and Serabi
Roti Berre’ is a traditional Bugis snack that is reminiscent of serabi or apem. This dish has a soft texture with a sweet taste from the thick brown sugar sauce poured on top.
Berre’ bread is made using a special mold, so its shape is unique and attractive. This snack is often served as a complement to various traditional events or simply as a casual snack at home.
5. Jalangkote’: Bugis Pastel with Special Liquid Chili Sauce
Jalangkote’ is a Bugis version of pastel which has a thinner skin and a crispy texture. The filling of jalangkote’ consists of vegetables, rice vermicelli, and sometimes additional meat, giving it a delicious savory taste.
What makes jalangkote’ different is the way it is served. Instead of being eaten with cayenne pepper, jalangkote’ is enjoyed with a liquid sauce made from vinegar and chili, creating a unique spicy and sour sensation.
6. Taripang: Sweet on the outside, soft on the inside
Taripang, or Bugis brown sugar cake, has a hard texture on the outside but soft on the inside. The outer layer of brown sugar gives it a distinctive sweet taste, while the inside is made from glutinous rice flour that is fried until cooked.
This cake is often used as a souvenir because it lasts quite a long time. The reddish brown color of brown sugar makes it look tempting to eat immediately.
7. Dange Pulo Bolong: Legit and Savory from Black Sticky Rice
Dange Cake is a traditional snack from Pangkep, South Sulawesi, which can only be found in certain areas. Made from black sticky rice, grated coconut, and brown sugar, this cake has a distinctive sweet and legit taste.
Its texture is similar to pukis cake, making Dange a favorite snack, especially for drivers who pass through this area. Dange cake vendors usually also serve heavy meals, making it a perfect resting place.
8. Putu Cangkiri’: The Edible Cup
Putu Cangkiri’ is a unique cake made from sticky rice, coconut and brown sugar. Its name comes from its shape, which resembles the bottom of a cup when turned upside down.
This cake is widely sold in coffee shops or street vendors in Makassar. Its sweet and savory taste makes it a perfect companion to enjoy a cup of warm coffee.
9. Baruasa’: The Most Popular Cookie During Celebrations
Baruasa’ is a typical Bugis dry cake that is often served at important events such as weddings or holidays. This cake is round oval with a sweet and savory taste from a mixture of roasted grated coconut and rice flour.
Baruasa’s advantage is its long shelf life, making it a practical choice as a snack for big events or long trips.
10. Deppa Tori: Traditional Cake with Authentic Taste
Deppa Tori is a typical Toraja snack which is also popular among the Bugis people. Although it is called cucur cake, the shape of Deppa Tori is more like a pillow cake with a larger size and dark color due to the brown sugar mixture.
The texture of this cake is soft but dense, with a sweet and legit taste that pampers the tongue. Deppa Tori is often served as a snack at traditional events or served as a typical souvenir from Toraja and Bugis.
Bugis cuisine offers a variety of enticing flavors, from light snacks to traditional foods with stories behind them.
Each dish reflects the traditions, culture and richness of local ingredients that the Bugis people possess. If you want to explore the richness of Indonesian cuisine, Bugis cuisine and Typical Madura Food are must-try choices.
Start your taste adventure by tasting the savory panada to the delicious deppa tori, and discover the uniqueness of each of these signature dishes!
