Having spent my childhood and much of my early adult life in Malang, the city’s food is more than just a culinary journey—it is a taste of nostalgia. I still remember my grandmother’s tender ayam goreng (spiced traditional fried chicken), her kepiting bumbu rujak (sweet and spicy crab in sambal sauce), and her krecek (cow skin stew simmered in coconut milk). My mother may not have inherited all of that cooking prowess, but I miss her simple home dishes just as much: a humble plate of nasi goreng (fried rice), an omelette with chopped chillies and shallots, or stir-fried ikan peda (salted mackerel fish). With both of them now gone, those flavors live only in memory.
On my recent visit back to Malang, I found myself revisiting places that stirred those same emotions—whether through the food itself or the locations I had visited with my family in the past. The following are highlights from my culinary stroll in Malang, ranging from an iconic noodle eatery, a beloved comfort food destination, a stylish lounge overlooking the greens, and a revitalized market offering timeless local treats.
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| Hot Cui Mie Malang is famed for giving a modern twist to the city’s classic noodle bowl |
Hot Cui Mie Malang
Iconic Noodles with Bold Contemporary Taste
One iconic culinary spot I almost never miss when visiting Malang is Hot Cui Mie. Born as a humble eatery on Jalan Kawi Atas, it reinterprets the traditional cwie mie dish under the Gloria Group. This legendary family business traces its roots back to the 1970s, when it began as a homemade noodle factory before expanding into Rumah Makan Gloria—a renowned Chinese restaurant and one of my family’s favorites. In 2000, Hot Cui Mie was launched as a creative spin on the Malang’s classic cwie mie: springy noodles topped with savory minced chicken, fresh lettuce, crispy pangsit goreng (fried wonton), and a light chicken broth.
Hot Cui Mie’s playful twist on the classic cwie mie comes in a fried wonton bowl, with the usual minced chicken swapped for crispy battered chicken bites, all topped with a bold sweet-and-sour chili sauce. Beyond the crispy chicken specialty, Hot Cui Mie also offers variations with other toppings such as savory mushrooms, tender kakap (snapper) fish, and shrimp—each adding its own character to the classic noodle bowl. Besides this signature dish, diners can enjoy a diverse selection of noodles and halal Chinese cuisine, making Hot Cui Mie a versatile choice for families and groups.
Hot Cui Mie has grown into a small network of outlets across Malang—starting the original eatery from Jalan Kawi Atas, extending to another outlet on Jalan S. Parman, and reaching into the city’s two major malls, MOG (Malang Olympic Garden) and Matos (Malang Town Square), where shoppers can enjoy a quick taste of this iconic noodle bowl.
Location Malang Olympic Garden (MOG), Jl Kawi No.20, Klojen, Malang, East Java, Indonesia
Operating Hours
Daily, 10.00 AM to 10.00 PM
Price
Hot Cui Mie (chicken) IDR 41,000
Lumpia Udang (Fried Shrimp Spring Roll) (Small) IDR 27,000
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Near Malang Station, Rawon Tessy stands out as a legendary stall serving beloved local comfort food
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Rawon Tessy
Authentic Malang Comfort Food Near Malang Train Station
Besides nasi pecel sayur—cooked vegetables with peanut sauce and crunchy rempeyek—which I also enjoyed in Surabaya, another iconic dish from East Java is rawon. This beloved beef soup is instantly recognizable by its deep blackish color, derived from keluak (black nut), which gives it a distinctive earthy flavor. Often celebrated by TasteAtlas as one of the world’s best local soups, rawon is more than just a beloved East Javanese comfort food—it is a culinary relic that traces its roots back to the Majapahit Kingdom (13th–16th century). This Hindu-Buddhist empire once ruled much of the Indonesian archipelago and extended its influence into parts of Southeast Asia, leaving behind not only monumental temples and literature but also enduring flavors. Rawon’s distinctive black broth, carries with it centuries of tradition, making every bowl a living connection to the grandeur of Majapahit and the timeless heritage of Javanese cuisine.
Malang is home to countless restaurants and small eateries serving rawon, but one of the most iconic is Rawon Tessy, conveniently located next to the Malang Train Station. This was my first visit, and it certainly lived up to its reputation—I left more than satisfied. Served alongside steaming white rice, both the rawon and pecel sayur came with a tempting plate of assorted traditional deep-fried side dishes—empal (spiced fried beef), paru goreng (crispy fried lungs), tempe, perkedel (potato fritters), and mendol (seasoned tempe fritters). This style of presentation is typical in East Java: diners are offered a spread of side dishes and simply pay for whatever they choose, making each meal both personal and communal.
Location Jl Trunojoyo, Klojen, Malang, East Java, Indonesia
Operating Hours
Daily, 07.00 AM to 10.00 PM
Price
Nasi Rawon IDR 31,000
Nasi Pecel Sayur IDR 15,000
Perkedel Kentang IDR 7,000
Mendol (Tempe Fritters) IDR 5,000
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| At Pasar Oro-Oro Dowo, crispy bakso goreng has become a crowd favorite, offering beloved meatball snack |
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| The long line was proof that visitors were eager to taste the custard-like potato cakes, flipped and baked to perfection |
Pasar Oro Oro Dowo
Traditional Market with Nostalgic Local Snacks
After visiting Ijen Cathedral, I stopped by Pasar Oro-Oro Dowo, a traditional market established in 1932 by the Dutch East Indies colonial government. Revitalized in 2015 while preserving its original structure, the market today feels cleaner and more welcoming, yet still retains the humble, historic charm of a local pasar. Beyond daily groceries—fruits, vegetables, meat, fish, and eggs—the market has recently become a culinary destination, drawing domestic tourists eager to sample traditional snacks from its many kiosks.
This time, I treated myself to snacks from a few kiosks that are currently viral on social media, adding a modern twist to the market’s traditional charm.My first stop was Bakso Goreng Ayam Bangkit, famous for its deep-fried chicken meatballs. The queue was intense, and I had to wait quite a while as the vendor’s giant frying pans kept churning out batch after batch of golden-brown meatballs—crispy on the outside, tender on the inside, and the only item on the menu. Fresh from the fryer, bakso goreng has always been one of my favorite snacks. I love its contrast of crispy exterior and soft, savory interior, especially with a dab of fiery chili sauce. Tasting it here, I finally understood why so many people are willing to queue for this simple delight.
After savoring the crispy bakso goreng, I turned to something sweet and chose lumpur kentang wolak-walik from the popular Lumpur Kentang 27 stall. The queue was just as long, proof of how beloved these soft, custard-like potato cakes have become among visitors. True to their name, lumpur kentang—literally “potato mud”—the inside is smooth and moist, more pudding-like than chewy, which makes them such a comforting sweet treat. This traditional Indonesian dessert is said to be influenced by pastel de nata, introduced during the Portuguese presence in the archipelago. Made from potato, flour, coconut milk, and egg, the contemporary version offered in this stall is baked on both sides of the cake—hence the name wolak-walik, which in Javanese literally means “to flip back and forth.” The result is a soft, fragrant treat with a golden crust on both surfaces, offering a delightful balance of tradition and modern technique.
Location Jl Guntur No 20, Klojen, Malang, East Java, Indonesia
Operating Hours
Daily, 05.00 AM to 05.00 PM
Price
Bakso Goreng Ayam Bangkit
Bakso goreng ayam (5 pcs) IDR 17,500
Daily, 06.30 AM to 01.00 PM
Lumpur Kentang 27
Lumpur kentang wolak-walik (1 pc) IDR 7,000
Daily, 07.00 AM to 11.00 AM
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| Djati Lounge blends modern minimalist design with traditional influence, framed by reflecting pools and natural wood |
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| Djati Lounge’s pavilion draws inspiration from traditional Javanese Joglo style, blending heritage with elegance |
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| Outdoor poolside seating offers a breezy escape, with tranquil views stretching across the green golf course |
Djati Lounge
Modern Golf Course Side Escape
Malang’s culinary landscape isn’t limited to humble stalls or heritage restaurants—it also thrives in its cafés. Here, you’ll find everything from traditional angkringan carts brewing hot drinks late into the night, to quirky themed cafés perfect for Instagram, and elegant lounges overlooking the city. Each adds a different flavor to Malang’s modern lifestyle. One of these upscale spots is Djati Lounge which is located within the Araya residential complex. Djati Lounge in Malang is a modern lounge and restaurant which offers a serene golf course view and a stylish, contemporary atmosphere. It blends natural Indonesian elements with modern lifestyle design, making it a popular spot for both casual dining and business gatherings
Set slightly further inside the Araya complex, Djati Lounge greeted me with a blend of tradition and modernity. Its Joglo-style wooden pavilion stands gracefully amid sleek stone reflecting pools, while poolside seating opens to sweeping views of the manicured golf course—a perfect harmony of heritage and leisure. As I was still full from my earlier food adventure, I opted for something light—crispy cheese fritters paired with a cup of iced vanilla latte. Sitting by the water or overlooking the green golf course brings a calm, breezy vibe that makes the lounge feel like a retreat within the city.
Location Cluster Greenwood, Jl Greenwood Golf Mansion No 49, Araya, Pakis, Malang, East Java, Indonesia
Operating Hours
Daily, 10.00 AM to 10.00 PM
Price
Cheese fritters IDR 40,000
Iced vanilla latte IDR 45,000
As the day drew to a close, I realized that Malang’s culinary scene is a tapestry of contrasts: savory bakso goreng enjoyed amid crowded lines, sweet lumpur kentang echoing Portuguese influence, and light bites savored in the breezy calm of Djati Lounge. Earlier, the legendary Rawon Tessy had offered its deep, traditional broth, while Hot Cui Mie brought a fiery punch of noodles that perfectly captured Malang’s classic flavors. Each stop offered not just taste, but atmosphere and meaning—reminding me that in Malang, food is always a journey of both flavor and feeling.
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