A piquant dish that has become one of the nation’s most favourite treats of all time, Pempek (fishcake with vinegar sauce) originated from the city of Palembang. Although now obtainable almost everywhere in the country, good Pempek joints are still few and far between. Here are the selected few in both Jakarta and its place of origin that we hold in high esteem.
Pempek Dempo 310
Its unique flavour relies heavily upon the rare ikan belida (chitala fish) that inhabits the Musi River in Palembang. Since it exclusively uses said fish, the shop would tend to cease activity when they run out of supply of ikan belida.
Jl. Lingkar I Dempo Luar No. 310,
Palembang
T: 0711 311 235
Open daily from 8am-4pm
Pempek Saga Sudi Mampir
You may be familiar with the fact that there are various types of Pempek out there. Well, Pempek Saga Sudi Mampir is known as the purveyor of the best Pempek Lenggang (egg-layered grilled fishcake) in Palembang.
Jl. Merdeka No. 8 (across Kantor Walikota Palembang),
Palembang
T: 0711 314 417
Open daily from 11am-10pm
Pempek Sari Sanjaya
Serving not just Pempek but also a wide range of delicacies from Palembang, have a go at its Pempek Kapal Selam (submarine-shaped fishcake) to savour the best that its kitchen has to offer.
Jl. Boulevard Raya, Blok QA1, No. 8/9,
Kelapa Gading, North Jakarta
T: 021 4584 5550
Open daily from 10am-10pm
Pempek Megaria
A legendary Pempek joint in Jakarta that has been around for 27 years, I’m sure that almost half of the city’s population would direct you this shop if you ask them for the best Pempek in town.
Jl. Pegangsaan Timur No. 21,
Cikini, Central Jakarta
Open daily from 12pm-9pm
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