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Bangka Belitung Islands is truly a foodie paradise. Its diverse culinary scene is a blend of both South Sumatran and Chinese influences, creating edible hybrids that will make you crave for more. Fish cakes dipped in sour and spicy red sauce—pempek cuko merah, as well as soft biscuits stuffed with pineapple jam—bong li piang, show how well both cultures are accepted. In addition, the sea surrounding the islands is so full of marine life that you can have the freshest seafood on your table every day. Here are seven top restaurants in the islands of both Bangka and Belitung to visit.
Starting from a small coffee shop serving the islands’ lead miners, this establishment gained popularity thanks to its laid-back atmosphere and good food, from its inception in 1938. Today, this 24-hour cafe still exists and remains a favourite for both the locals and tourists. Its signature menu includes black coffee called Kopi O and grilled homemade sandwiches with no added preservatives. Sink your teeth in the savoury sandwich stuffed with slices of hard-boiled eggs—roti panggang telur, or opt for the sweet banana, chocolate, and cheese sandwich—roti panggang pisang cokelat. Still hungry? Don’t worry! Waroeng Tung Tau, with several branches across Bangka, also offers heartier meals such as porridge and stir-fried rice—nasi goreng.
Waroeng Tung Tau, Jalan Soekarno Hatta no. 28, Kelurahan Dul, Kecamatan Pangkalan Baru, Kabupaten Bangka Tengah, Bangka Island, Bangka Belitung Islands, Indonesia | (+62) 717 43 6330
Literally translated as the Aroma of the Sea, this restaurant is shaped like two large fishing boats. It is located right on the seashore of Pasir Padi Beach in the provincial capital of Pangkal Pinang. Sailing its way through the city’s gastronomic waves since 2001, Aroma Laut features the freshest seafoods such as ikan tenggiri bakar—grilled fish, kepiting saus tiram—crab with oyster sauce, and many more. Don’t forget to try the traditional fish dish ikan lempah kuning—snapper cooked with turmeric, chillies, terasi (shrimp paste), and pineapple.
Aroma Laut, Jalan Raya Pantai Pasir Padi, Pangkal Pinang, Bangka Island, Bangka Belitung Islands, Indonesia | (+62) 81 2717 1890
Chicken noodles (mie ayam) as well as savoury fried pancakes stuffed with eggs and chicken or beef (martabak telur) are the most suitable options for lunch or dinner when Indonesians do not feel like eating rice. Fina Mie Ayam Bangka & Martabak is definitely the must-go-to restaurant to grab the best chicken noodles and fried pancakes. The chicken noodles options are endless—chicken noodles topped with mushrooms (mie ayam jamur), topped with meatballs (mie ayam bakso), to name some. The noodles and broth are both made from scratch by the owner. As for the martabak telur, you can choose chicken or duck eggs for your order—both are equally delicious!
Fina Mie Ayam Bangka & Martabak, Jalan K. H. Ali Mustafa no. 126, Kelurahan Masjid Jamik, Kecamatan Rangkui, Pangkal Pinang, Bangka Island, Bangka Belitung Islands, Indonesia | (+62) 852 1894 1717
Another delicacy you cannot miss is otak-otak—fish cakes wrapped in banana leaves and grilled over hot charcoals. You can eat it plain, or you can dip it in special chilli-based sauces to give it a spicy kick. If you want to try these bite-size treats, then Otak-Otak Amui is the right place to go! In order to keep the taste and quality consistent over time, Amui, the owner of this kiosk, makes thousands of otak-otak herself with no help from her assistants every day.
Otak-Otak Amui, Jalan Melintas no. 23, Kelurahan Bintang, Kecamatan Rangkui, Pangkal Pinang, Bangka Island, Bangka Belitung Islands, Indonesia | (+62) 717 422619
During your vacation to Belitung, you have to try the local cuisine mie Belitung—noodles swimming in thick shrimp-based broth and topped with potatoes, cucumbers, bean sprouts, and even more shrimps. One of the best restaurants that serve this mouthwatering dish is Mie Belitung Atep. This humble yet crowded establishment has been satisfying food lovers for over 40 years, luring its customers back to enjoy another and another plate of these savoury noodles.
Mie Belitung Atep, Jalan Sriwijaya no. 27, Kelurahan Kampung Parit, Kecamatan Tanjung Pandan, Kabupaten Belitung, Belitung Island, Bangka Belitung Islands, Indonesia | (+62) 859 2077 2863
Gangan—fish soup made of snapper, turmeric, galangal, and other spices—is another delicious delight that Belitung Island offers. It is sour, spicy, savoury, sweet, and surely addictive. Although there are many restaurants serving this yellow soup across Belitung, one stands out from the crowd and that is RM Gangan Sari. Here, the customers are free to choose the part of the fish they want, such as the head, body, or tail. Each soup is made to order, not pre-cooked and reheated, to keep each bowl fresh.
RM Gangan Sari, Jalan Irian 2 no. 4, Kecamatan Tanjung Pandan, Kabupaten Belitung, Belitung Island, Bangka Belitung Islands, Indonesia
Unlike gangan, suto Belitung is a soup consisting of coconut milk, beef curry, rice cake (lontong), potato, and vermicelli. Locals mostly have this creamy soup for breakfast to start their day right. There are many kiosks selling suto Belitung throughout the island including Suto Belitung Mak Jannah, which is the locals’ favourite. This eatery, established in 1970, opens from 7am to 1pm and 4pm to 11pm.
Suto Belitung Mak Jannah, Jalan Merdeka, Kecamatan Tanjung Pandan, Kabupaten Belitung, Belitung Island, Bangka Belitung Islands, Indonesia
Shenny is a freelance writer/journalist/translator who can write both in English and her mother tongue Indonesian. She loves backpacking to lesser-known destinations, especially those with a comfortably cold climate. An avid history fan, she enjoys spending hours at museums while others might yawn and try to find the nearest exit.
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