Lontong balap facts for kids
A plate of lontong balap
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| Course | Main course |
|---|---|
| Place of origin | Indonesia |
| Region or state | Java |
| Created by | Javanese |
| Serving temperature | Hot |
| Main ingredients | Lontong, bean sprouts, fried tofu, fried mashed beans, fried shallots, sambal petis and sweet soy sauce |
Lontong balap is a super popular traditional dish from Indonesia. It's especially famous in East Java, a part of Indonesia. This tasty meal comes from the city of Surabaya.
The name "Lontong balap" means "racing rice cake." People say it got this name because street vendors used to rush to sell it. They would carry their big pots of food and run quickly!
What's in Lontong Balap?
This dish is a mix of many delicious ingredients. It's served hot and has a special flavor.
The Main Ingredients
- Lontong: This is a type of rice cake. It's made by pressing rice into a cylinder shape and then boiling it. Lontong is soft and a bit chewy.
- Tauge (Bean Sprouts): These are fresh, crunchy sprouts from Mung beans. They add a nice texture to the dish.
- Fried Tofu: Pieces of tofu are fried until they are golden brown. Tofu is made from soybeans and is a good source of protein.
- Lentho: This is a special fritter made from black-eyed peas. It's mashed and then fried until crispy.
- Fried Shallots: Thinly sliced shallots are fried until they are crispy and golden. They add a sweet, oniony crunch.
The Special Sauce
What makes Lontong balap truly unique is its sauce. It's known for a strong, savory taste.
- Sambal Petis: This is a spicy sauce made with petis. Petis is a dark, thick paste made from shrimp. It has a very strong, salty, and savory flavor. It gives the dish its unique taste.
- Sweet Soy Sauce: A drizzle of sweet soy sauce balances the flavors. It adds a touch of sweetness and a rich, dark color.
Where Does it Come From?
Lontong balap started in Surabaya, a big city in East Java. It's a classic example of Javanese cuisine. Many dishes from East Java, especially those with lontong and tofu, use a lot of petis. This gives them a very special and strong flavor that people love.
