TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - It is safe to say that Sipirok is a dish with captivating flavor. The proof is that a restaurant in Medan that serves Sipirok is always crowded by local residents and tourists. Sipirok, a water-buffalo bone dish, offers an alluring taste for the customers, making them return for more.
I was lucky to have a chance to enjoy the dish in its originating region in Sipirok, South Tapanuli, North Sumatra. In addition the the bone-marrow dish, there are grilled meat and fish dishes offered by the city.
Grill with Sour Sambal
At a glance, the dish is similar to dendeng balado mostly served in Padang restaurants, except for the tinier slices of beef or water-buffalo meat. It is served with sour sambal (chili sauce) plus slices of shallots.
The sour taste comes from key lime while the hot sambal is made of local chili pepper. In the cooking process, the beef of buffalo meats are first grilled and then steamed. To make it more tender, only inner parts of the meat are used. One portion of the dish is priced Rp20,000.
Siang Malam Restaurant
Jalan Merdeka No 37
Sipirok, South Tapanuli
Open from 08:00-21:00
Fish with Sinyarnyar
This is a different kind of grilled common carp for a distinctive sinyarnyar or andaliman seasoning. The distinctive food of Sipirok appeared oily with black spots on sinyarnyar.
The dish is stinging hot on the very first bite. Oddly enough, the ‘stinging’ flavor invites appetite that we would take other bites. It is also served with key lime and slices of shallots. The dish is priced Rp25,000 per portion.
Ikan Bakar Restaurant
Jalan Tarutung
Sipirok, South Tapanuli
Open from 10:00-18:30
Water-Buffalo Leg Kikil
Nearby Pasar Sipirok, there is a food stall that is relatively crowded during lunch time. Truth be told, most of the customers are coming for buffalo leg kikil soup which is the signature dish of the food stall.
Despite its not-so-convincing appearance, the warm broth has spice-rich flavor and more enjoyable with kikil (tendon). The stall owner said it needs 3 hours to boil the kikil to make it soft. Then, spices such as galanga root, clove, garlic, tomatoes etc. are added. The dish can be enjoyed for only Rp25,000 inlcuding rice.
Sibualbuali Restaurant
Jalan Tengah
Sipirok, South Tapanuli
Open from 05:00-22:00
Water-Buffalo Marrow Soup
I had to eat my heart out on my first visit to the restaurant because the famous buffalow marrow soup of Sipirok was sold out. Luckily, I could try the dish the next day. The 25-cm thick buffalo bone was served complete with the broth on a large plate. A straw to slurp on the marrow was provided alongwith a knife. The marrow tasted similar to beef marrow but thicker. It is sold for Rp70,000 per portion. Eating the dish while its hot is the best of option.
Siang Malam Restaurant
Jalan Merdeka No 37
Sipirok, South Tapanuli
Open from 08:00-21:00
ANDRY TRIYANTO | TRAVELOUNGE
