20 Authentic Local Places to Eat at Medan Part 2
Welcome to Medan! This is part 2 of my food recommendations for tourists visiting Medan. Check out the first part of this series if you haven’t already, you might find some dishes that will catch your attention and are worth salivating over/trying! 🤤.
In this part 2, I’ll give you more food recommendations so you can hunt and enjoy various Medan delicacies. I want to keep this blog simple and short, but there are just too many places to recommend lol. I would not recommend you to read this blog if you’re hungry — any stomach growling as a result of reading this blog will not be my responsibility 😂.
Without further do, let’s jump straight to the recommendations.
1. Bakmie Shanghai
The noticeable Unique Selling Point (USP) of Bakmie Shanghai noodles is the smooth and slippery texture that sets them apart. A harmonious blend of ingredients — wontons, meat, sauce, lard, egg, and more — creates a delightful and enjoyable breakfast, setting the perfect tone for your day.
Bakmi Shanghai offers a choice between two types of noodles: thin or wide. While I personally lean towards the wide noodles, some folks prefer the thin variety, ultimately depending on your personal taste.
The only downside is that the jumbo version doesn’t quite feel jumbo, which can actually be a plus for food hunters, allowing you to reserve some stomach space for your next culinary adventures.
- Location: https://maps.app.goo.gl/w5cTtQP8mWKBHVUT9
- Meal time: Breakfast
- Price: IDR 30–50k per bowl
2. Mie Hokkien Amei Lebong
If you’re coming from SG or Malaysia or anywhere else, you might want to try Medan’s Hokkien Mie here as it’s very different than you guys have there.
My go-to Hokkien Mie and also the famous (and the good one) is Amei Lebong Hokkien Mie. When you order one, you can choose what kind of noodles you want for your Hokkien Mie — yellow noodles, beehoon, kway teow, or wantan mee. I normally choose to use wantan mee, but it ultimately comes down to your personal preference.
One portion of Hokkien Mie consists of noodles, big shrimps, fish balls, fish cakes, shrimp balls (this is their best-selling topping), crab meat, ngo hiang, egg, soup, and chili sauce. How to enjoy: pour all the soup to your main bowl, slurp the noodles with the toppings and chili sauce to maximize your breakfast here at Lebong Amei — a good way to start your day.
- Location: https://maps.app.goo.gl/8vPj2vGbdmJjk82J9
- Must order: Hokkien Mie
- Meal time: Breakfast
- Price: IDR 40–60k per bowl (in reality, this price information will get out of date quickly as they keep increasing the price almost every year)
3. Mie Pangsit Alai
Honestly, don’t go to Tiongsim if the Internet recommends you to visit there. Tiongsim is not a tourist trap, but I find Mie Pangsit Alai is a way better place to enjoy Tiongsim-like noodle at 2x the portion and half the price than Tiongsim with the same or better quality sometimes than Tiongsim.
The USP for both places are the thin straight noodles, like Ichiran’s noodles (but local version). They offer Halus (thin), Keriting (curly), Kasar (wide) noodles, and you can choose your portion size, either normal or jumbo portion. As someone who can eat a lot, normal portion is very much enough for me.
A bowl consists of noodles of your choice, bunch of meats, lard, fish cakes, egg, soup, and 2 wontons at the bottom of the bowl. There are add-on condiments on your table that you can use to enhance your bowl. I usually loaded my bowl w/ lots of cut chillies (it’s unlimited and free) and it tastes super good. With the warm soup, best time to enjoy this bowl of noodles is during rainy day.
- Location: https://maps.app.goo.gl/xV2a4SuTYSd7sqo4A
- Meal time: Breakfast or Dinner. Something to note that I heard breakfast has less toppings with cheaper price than dinner, but it may not be matter for you if you’re looking for the noodles specifically.
- Price: IDR 35–50k per bowl for dinner (breakfast price could be cheaper)
4. Rumah Makan Tabona
Tabona has been a hotspot for tourists and locals in Medan, offering a delicious curry bowl. Reviews are everywhere from food blogs, Google, or Youtube, so I’ll keep it short here: I really enjoy it haha.
They have chicken curry, beef curry, or just the potato with curry. They also have two portion size to choose from, normal or jumbo portion. You can’t really go wrong with any of your choices here as the curry is the main star of the show.
Personally I’ve tried the beef curry with beehoon and extra rice, and I must say the beef meat and innards are tender and well cooked. Weirdly, the potato is also another main star for me, but at this point, it’s safe to say the whole bowl is a star lol 😂.
- Location: https://maps.app.goo.gl/GGT2jtv4SpxD3ZNYA
- Meal time: Breakfast or Lunch
- Price: IDR 55–100k per bowl
5. Soto Babi Aheng
Preface: Generally, soto with pork is not something you can easily find in Indonesia, moreover a good bowl of it.
In Medan, soto is cooked with coconut milk (santan), resulting in a stronger soup and flavor (but unhealthier lol). This is unlike soto in Java, where the soups are lighter as they don’t use coconut milk (healthier). So, you should try Medanese soto when you’re here.
For Soto Babi Aheng, you should order their Soto Babi. Their soto is rich in flavor, aromatic, and delicious when you eat it with warm rice. Pork meat are also tender and enjoyable. Another thing that I really love about this place is their chili sauce, it got some kick and it’s amazing.
Based on Google, they sell chicken soto as well, but if you are looking for the halal alternative, Soto Kesawan is usually people will recommend, but disclaimer I’ve never been there.
- Location: https://maps.app.goo.gl/byJ863dj5paJdAgGA
- Meal time: Breakfast
- Price: IDR 35–50k
6. RM Pondok Gurih
Another hotspot for both locals and tourists, and also for food-delivery drivers hotspot with real food quality. At 11.30am everyday, you can witness dozens of these drivers queuing up here to fulfill their orders.
While Nasi Padang is readily available throughout Indonesia, it might seem a bit weird for me to recommend it to fellow Indonesians, given its ubiquity. However, based on my experience, Nasi Padang in Medan tastes significantly better than in Java. Specifically, at Pondok Gurih, the numerous positive reviews across platforms like Google and YouTube, coupled with the long queues, are a testament to the exceptional quality.
Pondok Gurih offers Nasi Padang with savory and delicious taste. I usually order their Rice with Fish Sambal via food-delivery app, but you can pick any protein of your choices and they should be equally delightful. If you happen to dine in, don’t miss out on their famous Gulai Kepala Ikan (Fish Head Curry) — it’s definitely worth to try as well.
- Location: https://maps.app.goo.gl/EUuuhzo6p6fTU1gT9
- Meal time: Lunch or Dinner
- Price: IDR 35k per package. Fish Head Curry should be more expensive, please check with them.
7. BPK Hoki
BPK (Babi Panggang Karo) is a Karo-style grilled pork cuisine that can be found throughout North Sumatra, as Karo is one of Bataknese tribes and Bataknese made up to 44% of total North Sumatra population. While BPK is available outside of North Sumatra, such as in Jakarta, the quality is not as authentic and delightful as the original preparation found here.
There are many BPK joints in Medan, but one place I really like the most at the moment is BPK Hoki. I usually order Mixed Meat 1/2kg and rice. They will serve your order plus veggies, blood sauce, and chili as condiments.
The meat is smokey, tender and smells really good. The blood sauce has the right viscosity for me to accompany the meat. Not to mention that you can ask them to refill your veggies, blood sauce, and chili for free. I usually finished 3 servings of the blood sauce alone, but I might be on the extreme end 😂
When you have finished your meal here, you can visit a nearby famous cafe called T1311 (#8) where they serve one of the best croissants in town.
- Location: https://maps.app.goo.gl/sZEtb8oapR8uH7WP9
- Meal time: Lunch
- Price: IDR 35–60k per person
8. T1311
You can chill here at T1311 and try out the various patisseries when you have finished eating at BPK Hoki #7 (T1311 is just next to BPK Hoki). T1311 is a cafe and they are famous for their croissants.
One personal tip to order here is to try something uncommon. Common croissants like Butter Croissants are also good here, but the same quality can be found in Jakarta or Bali. Uncommon croissants like Belgian Caramel Chocolate Lava Croissant below are amazing and a must-try.
The downside of dining here is that their croissants aren’t always available and sell out fast. Customers may have to wait for hours until the next batch is ready, or they can choose from whatever is currently available in the display case during their visit.
- Location: https://maps.app.goo.gl/FPgFi6hXs77Eas5y6
- Price: IDR 20–60k per croissant
9. Pork.id
A new addition to the culinary scene in Medan has captured my heart with its delectable offerings. Pork.id offers a variety of pork dishes, including Samcan Goreng Andaliman, Samcan Cabe Rawit or Rawit Pete, Samcan Goreng Crispy, Samcan Kecap, and even Samcan Goreng Telur Asin.
For all pork enthusiasts, Pork.id is a must-visit. My go-to is their Samcan Platter, where everything is delightful. Among the choices, the Fried Samcan stands out with its fragrant and tender goodness. It’s so flavorful and tender that you might feel tempted to slurp it without chewing — just kidding, but it’s that good!
- Location: https://maps.app.goo.gl/3iBVgHcLMfFACpks8
- Meal time: Lunch
- Must order: Samcan Platter. You can ask them to swap which pork / samcan you want.
- Price: IDR 75–100k per person for Samcan Platter, rice, and drinks for 3 person
10. Mie Rebus Perdana Pak Mail
Another culinary delight in Medan is Mie Rebus. This simple yet intricately flavored dish features thick yellow noodles bathed in a rich soup, bordering on gravy. The addition of dried shrimps contributes to the umami taste, complemented by crackers, eggs, and a touch of sweet soy sauce for a hint of sweetness. My go-to spot for this delectable dish is Mie Rebus Perdana Pak Mail, where they consistently serve good quality Mie Rebus at an incredibly affordable price.
- Location: https://maps.app.goo.gl/GXM2m8pHAG7Ta6U46
- Meal time: Lunch
- Price: IDR 12–20k per portion
11. Macehat Coffee
Many places offer Avocado Coffee Float similar to the one in the image above, but one establishment that has been renowned for years is Macehat Coffee. This café, with its charming Chinese interior design, offers a wide variety of beverages, with a focus on coffee, along with afternoon snacks. The Avocado Coffee Float is a delightful concoction featuring avocado juice topped with chocolate ice cream, accompanied by a separate espresso shot for your daily caffeine fix.
- Location: https://maps.app.goo.gl/UNHRQvWkDWo9ytCN9
- Meal time: Desserts and afternoon snacks
- Price: IDR 30–50k per drink
12. Es Campur Acuan
I can’t think of a better way to cleanse your palate after indulging in heavy culinary delights than with a refreshing bowl of Es Campur. If you have enjoyed Penang Road Famous Teochew Cendol before, then you’re likely to appreciate Es Campur Acuan as well, given its similar taste, primarily deriving from the sweetness of brown sugar. The key distinction lies in the fact that Es Campur offers an array of toppings beyond just cendol, allowing you to experience a variety of tastes and textures in a single bowl.
However, it’s worth noting that the venue is a humble old hawker place without air conditioning. If you prefer not to dine in, you can conveniently use a food delivery app to have Es Campur delivered to your location instead.
- Location: https://maps.app.goo.gl/sA9MJYsAiFPRYsjAA
- Meal type: Desserts
- Must order: Es Campur
- Price: IDR 12–20k per item
13. Old-school Ice Cream (no name in Google)
This is a fantastic spot to explore if you’re in the mood for delicious old-school ice cream. A brief 10-minute walk from #7 BPK Hoki or #8 T1311 will lead you here.
The uncle is selling various flavors of ice cream you can choose from, such as vanilla, chocolate, durian, red bean, etc. You can also choose how you want your ice creams to be served, i.e. cone, bread, or cup, or mix which is half bread in a cup. This might just be the ultimate local experience for tourists, haha.
It’s worth noting that the uncle might move around the area with his trishaw, but you should be able to find him at the location mentioned below between 12–2 pm, at the very least. Additionally, the uncle has been selling ice cream for over 50 years, and I’ve heard that his kids won’t be continuing the business. So, savor the experience while the uncle is still selling.
- Location: Walk few steps forward from On The Wok (it’s one way street, you can follow car flow) and find blue trishaw like above image near the intersection.
- Meal type: Desserts and afternoon snacks
- Meal time: Lunch
- Price: IDR 10k
14. Sate Padang Kalimantan / West
Sate Padang is a popular afternoon snack among locals, and it’s safe to say that if anyone is enjoying Sate Padang as an afternoon snack, there’s a high chance they’re from Medan. Sate Padang offers a diverse range of proteins, including chicken, beef, tripe, tongue, intestine, and more. You have the option to choose between two types of gravy: Padang or Peanut. Personally, I’ve never tried the Peanut one and always opt for Padang.
I recommend two places to satisfy your Sate Padang cravings: Sate Padang Kalimantan or Sate Padang West (both separate stalls but conveniently located just across from each other). Personally, I prefer the satays from West and the Padang sauce from Kalimantan. Due to their close proximity, you can order from both, take away from West, and enjoy your meal at Kalimantan (I’d recommend asking for permission before doing so, haha). And, of course, don’t forget to request extra fried shallots (bawang goreng banyak)!
- Location for Sate Padang Kalimantan: https://maps.app.goo.gl/xSACbfrZG5MBfLPv5
- Location for Sate Padang West: https://maps.app.goo.gl/pFkG563cfUhUxoFg7
- Meal type: Afternoon or dinner snack
- Must order: Sate Kerang
- Price: IDR 4–5k per satay
15. Martabak Piring Anton
Martabak piring is a must-try when you’re in Medan. While Martabak Piring Murni is the famous tourist destination, honestly, you can opt for Martabak Piring Anton at half the price and enjoy the same, if not better, food quality without enduring the long queue.
They offer two types of martabak: tipis (thin) and tebal (thick). The thin one is a must-try; it’s like biting into thin crackers filled with butter and chocolate (if you choose the chocolate flavor), and trust me, you might get addicted quickly.
While you can visit the place, I usually prefer to order it via a food delivery app for the convenience of having my martabak delivered right to my doorstep.
- Location: https://maps.app.goo.gl/pQse2cKm1eDW5VgVA
- Meal type: Dinner snack
- Must order: Martabak Tipis (any flavors of your choice, i.e. chocolate)
- Price: IDR 3–7k per piece
16. Wajir Seafood
Let me start by saying this: Not a lot of places in Medan has 11.5k ratings on Google with a total of 4.5 stars. I wouldn’t be surprised if this is the only place in Medan that has 11.5k ratings on Google as per the time of this writing.
And let me ask a quick question: what are you looking for in a restaurant usually? Food quality? Fast service? Good price? Well, Wajir Seafood easily has these all — this is the place where you can eat great food and experience fast service without breaking the bank.
Wajir offers various types of foods and drinks with affordable price (you might be surprised on how cheap the price is). My favorites here are Belut Cabe Hijau (Eel cooked w/ green chili, not spicy, just aromatic), Cumi Telur Asin, and Tom Yam Seafood. Sometimes eels are out of stock, so you can go w/ chicken or Ayam Cabe Hijau.
I’ve also tried their crab — it’s good, can feed up to 4 people, and it only cost IDR 108k. Amazing deal. 😂
They have outdoor and indoor seatings. The location is also very strategic — once you have finished your dinner at Wajir, you can visit Tip Top (#13 in Part 1) to get your dessert (recommends Java Ice), or Nasi Goreng Oneng #18, or Nasi Goreng Pemuda (#3 in Part 1) for supper, all within walking distances.
- Location: https://maps.app.goo.gl/98NFFKKNPxbRV9n48
- Meal time: Dinner
- Must order: Belut or Ayam Cabe Hijau, Cumi Telur Asin, and Tom Yam Seafood
- Price: Depends on your order. IDR 50–80k per pax is enough, but you can go extra and order more.
17. Rumah Makan 27
If you’re feeling Chinese Food, you should give Rumah Makan 27 a try. A must order is their Thailand sauce with any kind of proteins of your choice, i.e. shrimps. Their Thai sweet and source sauce is amazing. I’ve also tried their Coriander Fried Samcan — it’s great, but if you’re looking for Samcan, RM Paten’s samcan (#11 in Part 1) still ranks #1 for me.
- Location: https://maps.app.goo.gl/k3SgjMpvK5hemmCQ9
- Meal time: Lunch or Dinner
- Must order: Anything with Thailand sauce, like Udang Saos Thailand
- Price: IDR 80–120k per pax
18. Warkop Oneng Nasi Goreng Kambing Khas Kebun Sirih
Craving a midnight supper? Fried Rice to the rescue! It’s the perfect choice, especially if you’re in need of some hangover comfort food. Don’t hesitate to indulge in Fried Rice during your travels :)
Allow me to introduce the Kebon Sirih-style Lamb Fried Rice. While Jakarta is the original home to the famous Kebon Sirih-style fried rice, I would encourage you to think twice before skipping this unique version. Oneng’s take on it boasts stronger spices and richer flavors compared to the original in Jakarta. The lamb meat is incredibly tender, and you get three pieces — additional portions are available for an extra cost. Accompanied by condiments like omelette, crackers, and pickles, they harmoniously complement the flavorful fried rice.
As someone who appreciates bold flavors, Warkop Oneng Nasi Goreng Kambing claims the top spot on my 2023 list of Medan’s fried rice, competing against eight other contenders. While you can dine-in, be mindful of mosquitoes in the area. Alternatively, you can use a food delivery app to savor your Nasi Goreng Kambing conveniently.
- Location: https://maps.app.goo.gl/Q5VqvGbBdV3Dn9ob8
- Meal time: Dinner or Supper
- Must order: Nasi Goreng Kambing
- Price: IDR 15–25k per portion
19. Nasi Goreng Surya
Another great option for supper is Nasi Goreng Surya. I recommend Surya specifically for its spicy version of fried rice, catering to those who enjoy a bit of heat in their meal, which sets it apart from other places. If you’re a fan of spicy food, ordering Surya and opting for the spicy version is a must. The spiciness is quite notable, but still falls within an enjoyable range for me.
For those who can’t handle the heat or simply prefer a regular fried rice, you can order the normal version from Surya. Alternatively, consider Nasi Goreng Pemuda (#3 in Part 1) for Padang-style Fried Rice. As always, you have the option to dine-in or use a food delivery app to savor your preferred fried rice.
- Location: https://maps.app.goo.gl/TrMkW3U5qfSRo12i7
- Meal time: Dinner or Supper
- Price: IDR 15–25k per portion
20. RM Gek Lan 181
If you have extra time in Medan, make sure to check out Gek Lan. This legendary spot has been dishing out fantastic Chinese cuisine since my childhood. I’ve placed it last on the list not because it lacks in legendary status, but simply because it’s located quite far south from the city center and may require up to a 45-minute drive. But, for the true food enthusiasts, distance is just a small hurdle, isn’t it? 😂
The star of the show and a must-try dish is their Fish with Thai sauce. They fry the fish and generously coat it with Thai sweet sauce, then top it with cut chillies and onions, creating a delightful blend of sweet, sour, and a hint of spicy taste — it’s amazing! Their Udang Tauco is also excellent, featuring large shrimps that make for a perfect pairing with warm rice.
- Location: https://maps.app.goo.gl/pJJ5JKxLkgfzv7Es8
- Meal time: Lunch or Dinner
- Must order: Ikan Saos Thailand, Udang Tauco
- Price: Depends on your order. IDR 70–120k per pax is usually enough.
Final Words
Thank you for reading this blog. If you find these recommendations helpful, do consider giving this post a like. I’d like to remind you to be careful of your surroundings, especially when walking in Medan — it’s like Gotham City but with a food heaven twist 😂. Also, if you’re planning to visit Lake Toba, you can fly directly from Jakarta to Silangit airport and skip the 3-hour drive from the main Kualanamu airport (just an FYI). Finally, I hope you enjoy your visit and stay in Medan. Made with ❤️ by LH.
