Must-Try Foods In Ampel Mosque (Surabaya) For Tourists 2026 - 2027

Ampel Mosque and Food History

The Ampel Mosque, also known as Masjid Ampel, is located in the Ampel district of Surabaya, Indonesia. It stands as one of the oldest mosques in Java and a significant pilgrimage site for Indonesian Muslims. The area around Ampel Mosque is also famous for its Arab Quarter, which has a profound historical connection to the Arab traders who settled there many centuries ago. These traders brought with them not just their merchandise but also their rich culinary traditions.

Over time, the intermingling of Arab cuisine with Javanese ingredients and cooking styles gave birth to a unique culinary culture in this part of Surabaya. Visitors to Ampel Mosque can experience a fusion of Middle Eastern flavors blended with Indonesian spices and techniques. The narrow lanes around the mosque are lined with food stalls and eateries serving traditional fare, predominantly Muslim-friendly and halal due to the religious significance of the area.

Must-Try Top 10 Food Dishes at Ampel Mosque

Here are the top 10 culinary delights you shouldn't miss while visiting the Ampel area in Surabaya:

1. Nasi Kuning (Veg/Non-Veg): A fragrant yellow rice dish often served with various sides such as eggs, chicken, and tempeh.
2. Gado-Gado (Veg): A traditional Indonesian salad consisting of boiled vegetables, hard-boiled eggs, fried tofu, tempeh, and dressed with a peanut sauce.
3. Sate Ayam (Non-Veg): Chicken satay skewered and grilled, served with a delightful peanut sauce.
4. Lontong Balap (Veg/Non-Veg): A popular Surabayan dish made of rice cakes, sprouts, tofu, and a savory sauce, sometimes topped with lentho (fried bean cakes) or meat.
5. Rujak Cingur (Veg/Non-Veg): A distinctive salad with a mix of fruits, vegetables, and cingur (boiled beef snout), served with a spicy-sweet peanut sauce (can be served without cingur for a vegetarian option).
6. Rawon (Non-Veg): A rich beef soup made black with keluak nuts, served with rice.
7. Tahu Tek (Veg): A street food delicacy consisting of fried tofu, bean sprouts, and potatoes covered in a peanut sauce.
8. Es Campur (Veg): A refreshing dessert made with mixed fruits, jelly, and syrup, perfect for cooling you down in the tropical heat.
9. Pecel Lele (Non-Veg): Deep-fried catfish served with rice and a spicy sambal paste.
Soto Surabaya (Non-Veg): A rich and aromatic soup typical to Surabaya, featuring chicken or beef, and often accompanied by rice or noodles.

Top Famous Restaurants in Ampel, Surabaya

1. Zangrandi Ice Cream
   Address: Jalan Yos Sudarso No.15, Embong Kaliasin, Genteng, Surabaya
   Famous Food: Es Campur (Veg)
2. Depot Bu Rudy
   Address: Jalan Dharmahusada No.140, Surabaya
   Famous Food: Nasi Udang Bu Rudy (Non-Veg), famous for its spicy shrimp.
3. Bu Kris
   Address: Multiple Locations
   Famous Food: Penyetan (Non-Veg), various dishes served with a smashing of spicy sambal.
4. Warung Bu Kris
   Address: Various Locations
   Famous Food: Rawon (Non-Veg), a traditional East Javanese beef soup.
5. Ibu Cianjur
   Address: Jalan Manyar Kertoarjo V No. 2, Surabaya
   Famous Food: Pecel Lele (Non-Veg), a popular fried catfish dish.

While the restaurants listed above may offer both vegetarian and non-vegetarian options, be sure to confirm the ingredients of each dish to ensure they meet your dietary preferences.