From Tjampolay Syrup to Cirebon Batik, the city offers a variety of unique souvenirs rich in taste and culture, making it a perfect choice for a holiday gift.
Cirebon, a city located on the north coast of Java, is known not only for its natural beauty but also for its culinary specialties and meaningful handicrafts.
In addition to its attractive tourist destinations, Cirebon also offers a variety of souvenirs that can bring back memories of this city. From mouth-watering specialties to batik crafts that reflect local culture, here are 10 Cirebon Souvenirs that you must bring home when visiting.
1. Tjampolay Syrup
Tjampolay Syrup is one of the legendary drinks that has been part of Cirebon’s history since 1936. Having a distinctive sweet taste, this syrup comes in various variants such as orange, passion fruit, and coconut, providing choices for everyone who tastes it.
Usually, Tjampolay Syrup is used as a refresher in food stalls, restaurants, and even hotels. With an affordable price, this drink makes it a popular souvenir and is always sought after by tourists who come to Cirebon.
2. Cirebon Shrimp Paste
Cirebon Shrimp Paste is a souvenir that should not be missed, especially for lovers of dishes with traditional spices.
Made from rebon shrimp that goes through a fermentation process, this shrimp paste has a distinctive aroma and strong taste, suitable for use as a kitchen spice or chili sauce.
The uniqueness of Cirebon shrimp paste lies in the quality of the raw materials and the processing techniques that have been passed down from generation to generation.
This shrimp paste is often used to enhance the taste of dishes, making it a very useful souvenir for many people.
3. Gapit Cake
Although the name is Kue Gapit, this snack is more like a thin and crispy cracker than a cake in general. Gapit Cake has various flavors, such as cheese, onion, galangal, and original flavors, providing a variety of choices for those who want to take home Cirebon’s signature snack.
With its crunchy texture, Kue Gapit is a suitable souvenir to be enjoyed at any time, either as a light snack or as a companion for chatting with family and friends.
4. Jambal Roti
Jambal Roti, a typical salted fish from Cirebon, is one of the superior souvenirs made from Manyung fish that has gone through a salting and drying process.
Although the price is higher compared to other souvenirs, the savory taste produced by jambal roti is very delicious and worth the price paid.
Jambal Roti is the right choice for lovers of fish-based food, and its existence as a Cirebon souvenir will provide special memories for those who receive it.
5. Cirebon Pancakes
Serabi is a traditional snack that can be found in various regions, but Cirebon’s serabi has a slightly different taste.
Made from rice flour, coconut milk, and a little coconut, Cirebon serabi has a distinctive savory taste and is served with various toppings, such as brown sugar or oncom.
Enjoying Cirebon serabi is very suitable as a light snack or souvenir from this region, with a soft texture and appetizing taste.
6. Rice crackers
Rengginang is a snack made from sticky rice that is fried until dry and crispy. In Cirebon, rengginang comes in various flavors, ranging from shrimp, shrimp paste, cheese, to savory onion flavors.
Usually, rengginang is served as a light snack or side dish to enrich the taste of the dish. With its affordable price, rengginang is a practical and popular souvenir among tourists who want to bring home a taste of Cirebon.
7. Lamb Crackers
Lambak crackers, also known as skin crackers, are one of Cirebon’s signature snacks made from cow or buffalo skin.
The manufacturing process is quite unique, starting with cleaning the animal’s skin, then frying it at a low temperature until dry, and frying it again at a high temperature to achieve the perfect crispiness.
Lambak crackers are usually served with soupy foods such as empal gentong, and their savory taste makes them a much sought-after snack by tourists visiting Cirebon.
8. Poor Crackers
Kerupuk Melarat, despite its rather unique and unappealing name, is a very popular snack in Cirebon.
Unlike most crackers that are fried using oil, these crackers are fried with hot sand that has been processed beforehand.
The sand used has been filtered and heated to remove bacteria, so these crackers are safe to consume. The savory taste produced by the frying process with sand gives a distinctive taste and makes it an affordable and delicious souvenir.
9. Sago Tempeh Chips
Tempeh Sago Chips are savory snacks made from tempeh coated with sago, giving it a crispier texture than regular tempeh chips. These snacks come in a variety of flavors, such as cheese, spicy, and roast beef, which can be adjusted to your taste.
Tempeh sago chips are the perfect choice for those looking for a savory and crispy snack at an affordable price. This souvenir is a favorite among tourists who want to bring home something delicious and different.
10. Cirebon Batik
As an Indonesian cultural heritage, batik is a souvenir that should not be missed when visiting Cirebon. This city has various batik motifs that are very distinctive and unique, such as Mega Mendung, Sawat Pengantin, and Kompeni.
Cirebon batik is also known for its bright colors that depict a blend of Islamic, Chinese and Javanese cultures.
This batik can be found in various forms, from hand-drawn batik to more practical stamped batik. Cirebon Batik is the perfect cultural souvenir choice for those who want to bring home a memory of Cirebon’s history and art.
Cirebon, with all its rich culture and culinary traditions, offers a variety of delicious and unique souvenirs. From the sweet Tjampolay Syrup to the beautiful Cirebon Batik, each souvenir has its own uniqueness and distinctiveness that reflects Cirebon culture.
Be it savory snacks, processed fish dishes, or handicrafts, every souvenir from Cirebon carries a story and memories that will continue to remind you of the charm of this city.
So, make sure not to go home without bringing home a souvenir that will enrich your collection of Typical Cirebon Food and other Indonesian specialties.