Explore Makassar’s culinary specialties, from konro to coto, and discover the authentic flavors that make Makassar an Indonesian culinary paradise.
Makassar, formerly known as Ujung Pandang, is not only famous for its natural beauty and history, but also a paradise for culinary lovers. This city offers a variety of typical dishes rich in spices and unique flavors typical of South Sulawesi.
From meat dishes to fresh fish dishes, Makassar cuisine is an experience not to be missed. Here are some of the best culinary destinations that you must visit when traveling in Makassar.
1. Konro Karebosi
Enjoying Makassar is certainly not complete without trying Konro Karebosi, which is legendary for its konro soup and grilled konro. Established since 1968, this place is famous for serving beef ribs with delicious spice-rich broth and tender meat.
Konro soup has a thick blackish broth from a blend of peanuts and special spices. If you want to enjoy a different konro, choose the grilled konro served with peanut sauce and broth.
As one of the iconic Makassar Specialties, Konro Karebosi is a must-visit destination for lovers of meat-based culinary delights.
2. Indonesian Coto
For fans of soupy cuisine, Coto Nusantara is the right place to taste authentic Makassar coto. This dish is made from beef offal cooked in a thick sauce rich in spices.
The savory and aromatic coto sauce is perfect to be enjoyed with burasa or ketupat, adding to the deliciousness of every mouthful.
This place is always crowded with visitors, both local residents and tourists, who come to enjoy the deliciousness of Makassar coto with its distinctive taste.
3. Warung Pangkep Sop Saudara
Sop Saudara is a typical Makassar dish that is no less delicious, and Warung Pangkep Sop Saudara is the best place to try it. This dish consists of meat, lungs, beef tongue, as well as rice vermicelli and perkedel, served in a rich spiced broth.
Sop Saudara here is often enjoyed with grilled bolu fish and warm rice. The combination of these dishes produces a delicious blend of flavors and is rich in nutrients, making it one of Makassar’s favorite culinary delights.
4. Camel’s Pallubasa
Pallubasa is a typical Makassar dish that is similar to coto, but has a thicker sauce and a stronger flavor. Pallubasa Camel is famous for its generous portion of meat and sauce with the distinctive aroma of Makassar spices.
Uniquely, the meat is processed first with spices before being doused in sauce, creating a more distinctive texture and taste. If you want to taste a pallubasa that is rich in flavor, Pallubasa Onta is the best choice.
5. Pallu Kaloa, H. Wasid’s stall
For fish lovers, Pallu Kaloa at Warung H. Wasid offers a unique culinary experience. Pallu Kaloa is a fish head soup made with kaloa spices, creating a savory and slightly spicy taste.
This stall has been around since the 1970s and uses various types of fresh fish such as grouper, katamba, and tuna. The warmth and richness of pallu kaloa’s flavors make it a favorite dish in Makassar.
6. Rajanya Pallu Mara “Fish Head”
Pallu Mara is a sour-spicy soup dish made from fish that is believed to relieve fever. This fish soup has a fresh and refreshing taste, with a mixture of spices such as tamarind, onion, turmeric, and candlenut.
The refreshing sour and slightly spicy taste makes pallu mara a perfect dish to enjoy anytime, especially when you want to try something typical of Makassar.
7. Datumuseng Sweet Potato Soup
If you want to try something different, Sop Ubi Datumuseng is a unique choice. This soup is made from fried sweet potatoes that are cut into small pieces and mixed with bean sprouts, rice vermicelli, eggs, spring onions, fried onions, and meat.
The combination of savory broth further enriches the taste of this dish. Sop Ubi is usually served with additional fried peanuts, chips, or shrimp crackers to provide a more varied texture.
This dish has been widely known and has received many awards for its uniqueness and deliciousness.
8. Aroma Palopo Restaurant
Aroma Palopo Restaurant is the right place to enjoy kapurung, a typical Palopo dish which is about 30 km from Makassar. Kapurung is a sago dish doused in vegetable sauce containing long beans, spinach leaves, and corn.
Kapurung sauce has a fresh sour taste and is usually served with a choice of side dishes such as fish, shrimp, or chicken. This dish is perfect for those of you who want to taste a different taste that is still authentic to South Sulawesi.
9. Songkolo Bagadang Thank God
For those of you looking for a typical Makassar dinner, Songkolo Bagadang is the perfect choice. Songkolo is a dish of black sticky rice served with serundeng or roasted grated coconut.
Usually, songkolo is enjoyed with salted anchovies, eggs, and yellow chili sauce, creating a savory taste that pampers the tongue. This dish is often served at traditional events and can be enjoyed until late at night.
10. Mi Hengki
Mi Hengki is one of the legendary places in Makassar that serves typical Makassar dry noodles. These noodles are known for their authentic and consistent taste since 1980. These dry noodles are served with vegetables such as mustard greens, as well as sliced chicken, liver, and meat.
In addition to dry noodles, there are other variations such as noodle soup, grilled noodles, and fried noodles. This place is always crowded with visitors because of the quality and authenticity of the taste that is maintained.
Makassar is not only famous for its natural scenery and culture, but also for its extraordinary culinary diversity. Each of Makassar’s signature dishes reflects the character and richness of the region’s spices, making it a perfect destination for culinary lovers.
Alongside these delights, exploring Manado Specialties can add variety to your culinary journey. If you plan to visit Makassar, don’t miss the opportunity to taste these culinary specialties, because each dish holds an unmatched uniqueness and provides an unforgettable taste experience.
