When visiting Raja Ampat, take the time to try tasting its signature cuisine. You will feel a significant difference from the signature dishes of your area. From the taste, texture, to appearance, it is very different from other regions. So if you feel homesick about all kinds of local specialties, it will be very difficult to find them in other areas.
Maybe other areas sell Raja Ampat specialties too, but it will be different from that in the original area in terms of taste. Even if you find a typical Raja Ampat stall in another area with the same taste as the original area, the atmosphere will be very different when enjoying typical culinary delights when you are in the original area.
Here are some of the typical foods of Raja Ampat:
- Sea Worm
Maybe people living in areas outside Papua will find this food ridiculous. However, sea worms have become a daily snack for the people of the Ayuu Islands. The origin of the food comes from the Raja Ampat area in the northern region.
In downtown Raja Ampat and other areas of Papua, this sea worm food is widely sold in a ready-to-eat state. So that tourists don’t have to bother if they want to try this unique and extreme culinary specialty. The process is not immediately fried but through certain steps.
The processing step for this worm is to clean it first by dividing the body parts. After splitting, the sand in the body is removed and then rinsed clean. Next, the worms are roasted using coconut shells, fibers, and firewood to taste.
The process of roasting the sea worms is referred to as ‘asar.’ Ripe worms look very much like potatoes. The only difference is that it has a chewy texture and when you bite, it’s a bit tough, like when you bite an octopus.
The taste of the roasted worm itself tends to be savory and sweet, but it also depends on the spices used when serving. Because the serving of grilled sea worms is usually available in several variations of spices, one of which is spicy rica seasoning. This food is usually served with vegetables to make it more delicious. The price of a serving of worms is usually IDR 10,000 – IDR 25,000 and has a high selling value in the Raja Ampat area.
- Baha-baha
Baha-baha is a particular food that is specially served by residents who live in Lopintol Village, Mayalibit Bay District only. The processing method is pretty easy. The wet sago is dried first after being filtered using a filter.
The sago is mixed to taste with grated coconut, heated using a previously coated pan with oil. Next, the dough is widened to form a circle. When it is brown, the dough can be removed and served by rolling the dough.
This typical food has a sweet taste compared to other sago preparations. Baha-baha is very suitable for a meal in the morning and evening accompanied by sweet tea drinks.
- Gani Nu
Gani Nu is a particular food that is specially served by residents who live in other Lopintol Villages. This food uses the basic ingredients of sago and is made using a special clay mold with the name aba na. The way to process it is to filter wet sago first with a sieve and then mix it with grated coconut.
After the dough is finished, it is then mixed with palm sugar. How to cook Gani Nu cannot use firewood in general, but must use special firewood so that the hot temperature of the dough can be stable. The taste of this particular dish is sweet and has a crunchy texture. Usually, this food is served together with a hot coffee or tea cup to make it taste more delicious.
- Habo Kon
Habo Kon or sago bia frog is a traditional food with the basic ingredients of sago with a mixture of bia frog meat. Bia frogs are not toads or frogs, but large shells with a black shell are round in shape. Bia frog shells usually live in areas around mangroves.
How to make Habo Kun is to clean the frogs first and then boil them. Then the dried sago is mixed with several kitchen spices such as shallots, chilies, grated coconut, chilies, brown sugar, and salt to form a dough.
After that, the dough is put into the prepared clamshells. Then the shells are baked or grilled. The taste of Habo Kun tends to be savory, salty, and not too sweet.
- Manokwari Grilled Fish
Manokwari grilled fish is so delicious because it is served with special spices from the Manokwari area. The basic ingredients used are tuna fish from the catch of fishers at sea. The fish contains high protein, which is very good for health.
The way to process the fish is that the fresh fish are cleaned first using water, then traditionally burned. The way to burn it is the same as how to burn fish in general. Because it is burned traditionally, the freshness of the fish is still maintained. The taste is certainly different from the common grilled fish.
Whether your trips take you on a long stroll on beaches, delicious cuisines, relaxing spas, and resorts, or urban attractions, extra research will give you the best experience for your visit. Get to know more about Raja Ampat by visiting Wonderful Indonesia.
