Visiting East Sumba, Don't Forget To Try These Three Types Of Food

East Sumba Regent, Khristofel Praing/PHOTO: Mery Handayani-VOI

JAKARTA - East Sumba, NTT, is not only famous for its natural beauty and cultural richness, but also has a variety of unique and interesting culinary delights. Three culinary specialties of East Sumba that are worth a try are Mangulu, Kaparak, and Smoked Dendeng.

The Regent of East Sumba, Khristofel Praing said that a visit to East Sumba Regency would be incomplete without tasting a variety of special culinary delights made from processed East Sumba's natural wealth.

Khristofel said that one of the must try is the Smoked Jerky. According to him, without a lot of additional seasoning, this smoked meat is already very good to eat.

"Sumba's food is actually unique, yes, if we talk about cooking beef there, it's actually because the animals or livestock are kept traditionally, so without a lot of seasoning it's already delicious. Smoked meat is also available, it's delicious," he told VOI, met at the Kemenparekraf Office, Thursday, December 16.

Not only that, Khristofel said that the culinary that must be tasted is Mangulu. He said, the basic ingredient of this food is bananas.

"A typical food (another must try) is Manggulu. If Manggulu is a banana that is sold dried, it is mixed with ground nuts and wrapped in banana leaves so that it can last 2 to 3 weeks," he said.

Another East Sumba cuisine that should not be missed, said Khristofel, is Kaparak. The food is made from processed mashed corn or rice and sago.

Kaparak is also commonly mixed with mashed nuts, coconut and sugar. There is also a way of processing it by frying or roasting.

"We native people who eat almost every day don't get bored, especially those who come once or twice," he said.