VOI - Voice of Indonesia | RRI - Radio Republik Indonesia

When traveling to Riau province, I suggest you to taste its special culinaries. One of them is “Asam Pedas Ikan Baung”. Spicy acid taste becomes one of the characteristics of dishes in Sumatra island. For example in Minangkabau, there is a typical dish called Asam Padeh. While in Aceh, there is Asam Keueng. “Asam Pedas Ikan Baung” is a culinary of Riau province which strongly influence by Malay culinary taste. This culinary is a mandatory dish in almost every houses and it is also served at many local traditional events such as wedding ceremonies, Eid el-Fitr, and circumcision.

From the look Asam Pedas Ikan Baung culinary has a reddish orange color with an appetizing aroma. The reddish orange color comes from turmeric. Asam Pedas Ikan Baung also uses other ingredients such as chilies, ginger, galangal, lemongrass, shallots and garlic. The sour taste comes from kandis tamarind or java tamarind water. While the main ingredient is Baung fish. Baung fish with the Latin name Mystus Nemurus, is the same species to catfish. This freshwater fish can be found on rivers, swamp, lake and reservoir. Baung fish that has white flesh with soft and dense texture without fine spines, makes the fish mostly liked by people.

The spicy, sour, savory, and fresh flavors are mixed in Asam Pedas Ikan Baung. This culinary is very delicious when it is  eaten with hot rice. For those who are interested to enjoying it, this culinary is easy to find in Riau. Many restaurants sell Asam Pedas Ikan Baung with Rp. 100,000 per portion.