Indonesia is a country with a rich culinary culture. From sate to nasi goreng, there are plenty of delicious dishes that you can find in Indonesia. One of the most popular street food in Indonesia is siomay babi. Siomay babi is a steamed dumpling filled with pork and vegetables. The dish is served with peanut sauce and a squeeze of lime. If you are a fan of dumplings, you should try siomay babi when you visit Indonesia.
The Origin of Siomay Babi
Siomay is actually a Chinese dish that was brought to Indonesia by Chinese immigrants. The original version of siomay is made with fish, but in Indonesia, the dish is made with pork. The word “babi” means pork in Indonesian language. It is believed that siomay babi originated in the city of Bandung, West Java, and then spread to other cities in Indonesia.
The Ingredients of Siomay Babi
The main ingredients of siomay babi are ground pork and vegetables. The vegetables that are commonly used are cabbage, carrot, and bamboo shoot. The filling is seasoned with garlic, shallot, pepper, and salt. The dumpling skin is made with a mixture of tapioca flour and wheat flour. The peanut sauce that is served with siomay babi is made with ground peanut, garlic, palm sugar, and chili.
How to Make Siomay Babi
Siomay babi is quite easy to make. First, prepare the filling by mixing ground pork with vegetables and seasonings. Then, wrap the filling with dumpling skin and steam it for around 20 minutes. While waiting for the siomay babi to cook, prepare the peanut sauce by grinding peanuts and mixing them with garlic, palm sugar, and chili. Once the siomay babi is cooked, serve it with the peanut sauce and a squeeze of lime.
Where to Find Siomay Babi
Siomay babi is a popular street food in Indonesia. You can find it at food stalls in markets, malls, and street corners. The price of siomay babi is quite cheap, usually around IDR 10,000 (less than $1). Some food stalls also sell other types of siomay, such as siomay ayam (chicken siomay) and siomay udang (shrimp siomay).
The Taste of Siomay Babi
The taste of siomay babi is savory and slightly sweet. The filling is juicy and flavorful, thanks to the addition of vegetables and seasonings. The peanut sauce adds a nutty and spicy flavor to the dish. You can adjust the level of spiciness by adding more or less chili to the peanut sauce. The squeeze of lime gives a refreshing and tangy taste to the siomay babi.
The Nutritional Value of Siomay Babi
Siomay babi is not a healthy dish, as it contains a lot of fat and calories. One serving of siomay babi (5 pieces) contains around 400-500 calories, 20-25 grams of fat, and 30-35 grams of protein. However, if you want to indulge in a delicious street food once in a while, siomay babi is definitely worth a try.
Conclusion
Siomay babi is a delicious and affordable street food that you can find in Indonesia. The dish has a savory and slightly sweet taste, thanks to the flavorful filling and peanut sauce. Although it is not a healthy dish, siomay babi is definitely worth a try if you visit Indonesia.