Kudus' Authentic Food You Should Try

Kudus is one of the cities in Central Java that has many authentic culinary varieties. Starting from Soto Kudus (savory buffalo soup), Sate Kerbau Kudus (buffalo satay), Lentog Tanjung, Garang Asem (steamed chicken in banana leaf), Opor Panggang Kudus, and Nasi Pindang. Mostly, Kudus’ foods have a sweet taste and made from buffalo meat. This is inseparable from the history when Sunan Kudus (Walisanga) invokes Kudus’ resident not to slaughter cows because cows are thought to be sacred. Most of Hindus in Kudus respect cows for their gentle nature.

So here I am to present to you the authentic Kudus food that you definitely have to try!

Soto Kudus (savory buffalo soup)

Just like another Soto in Indonesia, Soto Kudus is served with bean sprouts, celery, and a sprinkling of garlic. Buffalo meat tends to have a sweet taste, comes with a light broth. Therefore, Soto Kudus will taste better if accompanied by sambal (chili sauce) and lime juice. There are many choices for side dishes, such as fried tempeh, fried lung, quail eggs, and potato fritter. Soto Kudus is usually served in a small bowl with rice for one serving of Soto. My most recommended place to enjoy Soto Kudus is Soto Kerbau Mbak Mar in Taman Bojana, Kudus.

Sate Kerbau Kudus (buffalo satay)

Sate Kerbau Kudus is a type of sweet satay made from buffalo meat. This satay is similar to ‘Sate Lilit’ in Bali. The buffalo meat must be ground, mixed with spices, then wrapped on a skewer before being grilled as a satay. It serves with peanut sauce and garnished with fried garlic. Sate Kerbau Kudus normally accompanied by rice wrapped in Daun Jati (Tectona grandis leaves). For Sate Kerbau, head to Sate Kerbau Maju 57 at Jalan Johar, Wergu Wetan, Kudus, definitely worth to try!

Lentog Tanjung

Lentog means lontong (rice cake) and Tanjung is the name of the village in Kudus. Lentog Tanjung can only be found in Kudus and very difficult to find in other cities in Indonesia. Lentog contains pieces of Lontong (rice cake), Jangan Gori (young jackfruit soup), and Lodeh Tahu (tofu soup). It serves on a small plate covered in banana leaf and topped with fried onion. Lentog has a savory flavor of coconut milk, sweet and spicy from the spices that used. You can find a lot of Lentog Tanjung sellers at Jalan Tanjung, Kudus. A plate of Lentog Tanjung only priced IDR 4K!

Garang Asem (steamed chicken in banana leaf)

Garang Asem is made of free-range chicken, bird’s eye chili, green tomatoes, and bilimbi nicely present the sour flavor in the refreshing clear soup. All of the ingredients wrapped in banana leaf with the addition of local bay leaf. The use of banana leaf gives aromatic aroma that came out during the slow-steaming process. Find the all-time favorite Garang Asem’s joint in Kudus at RM Sari Rasa, Jalan AKBP Agil Kusumadya 20, Kudus.

Opor Panggang Kudus

Opor Panggang Kudus also called Nasi Opor is a common menu for breakfast in Kudus. It contains Opor Ayam (chicken curry) and Sambal Goreng Tahu (fried tofu in chili sauce). There is a different way to make this Kudus-style Opor, here is the way, first, the spices are inserted into a whole chicken then cooked in coconut milk and, finally grilled. The grilled process lends a beautiful smoky aroma. When the Nasi Opor is served, you will not find a spoon or fork on your plate because Kudus’ resident usually used banana leaf. The most popular joint for Opor Panggang Kudus is Nasi Opor Sunggingan at Jalan Niti Semito 9, Kudus.

Nasi Pindang

Nasi Pindang in Kudus is common food and all-time favorite food for Kudus’ resident. Compare to the Soto, Nasi Pindang offers richer and complex flavor than Soto. Due to ingredients usages such as Keluak nuts (Pangium edule), cumin, candlenuts, coriander, and thick coconut milk. This dish uses buffalo meat and innards, usually, serve with Daun Melinjo (gnetum gnemon leaves) and Sambal Hijau (green birds eye chili).


To give it a try, head to a small warung on Jalan Johar, Kudus, called Warung Makan Hijau. Almost every Soto Kudus seller also serves Nasi Pindang, you can also find another Nasi Pindang joint in Taman Bojana, Kudus.

There are so many authentic foods to try in Indonesia, and if you have little time to actually travel for food, you can do it by tasting Kudus Authentic Food!