The House of Sampoerna is a cultural landmark in Surabaya, Indonesia, with a history that is not particularly centered around food but rather Indonesia’s heritage of tobacco and the Sampoerna family. The complex is an impeccably preserved Dutch colonial-style compound built in 1862 and was converted into a cigarette production facility by Liem Seeng Tee, the founder of Sampoerna, in 1932. While it is primarily known for its connection to the tobacco industry and as a museum, it also provides an opportunity for visitors to explore Indonesian culture, which includes the rich culinary traditions of Surabaya and East Java.
While visiting House of Sampoerna, tourists can venture out to local eateries to experience authentic Surabayan cuisine, which includes a variety of traditional dishes:
Visitors to House of Sampoerna looking for a taste of local cuisine at nearby restaurants will find several options:
Famous for: Lontong Balap (Veg)
Famous for: Penyetan, a variety of traditional Indonesian dishes served with chili sauce (Non-Veg, excluding dishes with cow meat)
Famous for: Es Campur and classic ice cream flavors (Veg)
Famous for: Nasi Campur, a mixed rice dish with various traditional accompaniments (Non-Veg, dishes often include chicken or seafood)
Famous for: Rawon, the traditional Javanese beef black soup (Non-Veg, but not cow meat)