Surabaya isn’t just a bustling port city—it’s a paradise for food lovers. While the city is often associated with its massive shopping centers, what truly makes Surabaya special is its rich culinary heritage. From spicy street food to traditional family-run warungs, Surabaya offers a range of flavors you won’t find anywhere else.
If you're traveling to Surabaya or planning your next culinary adventure, skip the fast food chains and explore these authentic Surabaya food spots that locals swear by. Many are open late into the night—some even 24 hours—making them perfect for a midnight bite after a day of exploring.
Here’s your ultimate guide to the best traditional and authentic food places in Surabaya.
1. Rawon Setan (Demonic Rawon)
📍 Jl. Embong Malang No.78, Surabaya
🕐 Open: 24 Hours
This legendary eatery is famous for its Rawon, a traditional black beef soup made with keluak (black nut) that gives it a rich, earthy flavor. “Setan” means “demon,” and the name comes from how spicy the original dish used to be.
Must-try: Rawon with empal (fried beef), salted egg, and sambal.
Why locals love it: The broth is rich, deeply aromatic, and perfectly paired with warm rice.
2. Lontong Balap Garuda Pak Gendut
📍 Jl. Kranggan No.60, Surabaya
🕐 Open: 09:00 – 21:00
Lontong Balap is one of Surabaya’s signature dishes. It features rice cakes, bean sprouts, lentho (fried mashed beans), and sweet soy sauce—all topped with crunchy fried shallots and sambal.
Must-try: Pair with a glass of es kelapa muda (young coconut ice).
Tip: Locals prefer Pak Gendut’s version for its authentic taste and generous portions.
3. Sate Klopo Ondomohen Bu Asih
📍 Jl. Walikota Mustajab No.36, Surabaya
🕐 Open: 08:00 – 21:00
This isn’t your regular satay. Sate Klopo (coconut satay) features beef or chicken skewers rolled in grated coconut before grilling, giving it a smoky, nutty aroma that’s irresistible.
Must-try: Sate daging sapi with lontong (rice cakes).
Fun fact: “Ondomohen” is the old name of the street where this famous warung first began.
4. Depot Bu Rudy
📍 Jl. Dharmahusada No.140, Surabaya (also available in Galaxy Mall & Tunjungan Plaza)
🕐 Open: 07:00 – 20:00
If you're looking for a souvenir and a meal in one stop, Bu Rudy is your place. Famous for her crispy sambal bawang (fried shallot chili sauce), Bu Rudy serves a variety of traditional Javanese dishes that are flavorful and affordable.
Must-try: Nasi empal penyet, sambal bawang, and fried tempeh.
Bring home: Her sambal jars are a hit with both tourists and locals.
5. Sego Sambel Mak Yeye
📍 Jl. Jagir Wonokromo Wetan No.10, Surabaya
🕐 Open: 22:00 – 04:00 (night only)
This legendary night stall serves sego sambel—rice with fried catfish or chicken topped with a generous serving of spicy sambal. Don’t let the modest stall fool you—queues start forming before it opens.
Must-try: Nasi sambel lele (catfish rice).
Best time to go: Midnight, when the streets are quiet but the flavors are bold.
6. Pecel Rawon Warung Mak Ros
📍 Jl. Raya Menganti Babatan No.19A, Babatan, Kec. Wiyung
🕐 Open: 07:00 – 16:00
Why choose between pecel (Javanese salad with peanut sauce) and rawon when you can have both? This unique combination is a Surabaya specialty, blending the freshness of vegetables with the deep flavor of beef soup.
Must-try: Pecel rawon with rempeyek (crispy peanut cracker).
Why it’s unique: Only in Surabaya will you find this combo dish.
7. Tahu Tek Pak Jayen
📍 Jl. Dharmahusada Indah No.17, Surabaya (Multiple branches)
🕐 Open: 17:00 – Midnight
Tahu Tek is a beloved Surabaya street food made with fried tofu, lontong, potatoes, egg, and crunchy crackers—drenched in a garlicky peanut sauce spiked with petis (fermented shrimp paste).
Must-try: Tahu Tek Spesial with extra krupuk.
Pro tip: Mix everything before eating to fully enjoy the flavor.
8. Rujak Cingur Ahmad Jais
📍 Jl. Ahmad Jais No.40, Surabaya
🕐 Open: 10:00 – 21:00
Rujak Cingur is not for the faint-hearted but a must-try for true culinary adventurers. It’s a spicy fruit and vegetable salad with slices of boiled cow snout (cingur) and petis sauce. It’s strong, funky, and uniquely Surabaya.
Must-try: Rujak Cingur Campur.
Note: The cingur must be tender for a good experience—this spot does it right.
9. Warung Bu Kris
📍 Jl. Kayoon No.46C, Surabaya (Multiple branches)
🕐 Open: 09:00 – 21:00
Specializing in penyet dishes (smashed meat with sambal), Bu Kris has become a favorite for locals. The menu includes chicken, ribs, beef, and even eggplant—all served with fiery sambal and warm rice.
Must-try: Iga penyet (smashed beef ribs).
Why locals love it: Crispy on the outside, tender inside, with sambal that packs a punch.
10. Zangrandi Ice Cream
📍 Jl. Yos Sudarso No.15, Surabaya
🕐 Open: 10:00 – 22:00
Wrap up your culinary adventure with a taste of Surabaya’s colonial past. Zangrandi, founded in 1930, still serves vintage-style ice cream with unique flavors and old-school charm.
Must-try: Tutti Frutti or Banana Split.
Perfect for: A nostalgic dessert break in a historic setting.
Final Thoughts
Surabaya’s food scene is a vibrant mix of tradition, spice, and bold flavors. Whether you’re enjoying a midnight plate of sego sambel or sipping ice cream at a Dutch-era café, every bite tells a story of the city’s rich cultural heritage.
By exploring these authentic traditional food places in Surabaya, you’re not just eating—you’re tasting the history, diversity, and soul of East Java.
🛎️ Bonus Tips for Food Travelers:
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Most warungs accept cash only, so bring small bills.
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Street food is best enjoyed fresh and hot—don’t hesitate to ask for less sambal if you're sensitive to spice.
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Download a translation app if you're not fluent in Bahasa Indonesia—it helps with menus and ordering.
Save this guide for your next visit and share it with fellow foodies. Surabaya is waiting to serve you something unforgettable—one spicy spoonful at a time!
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