Explore a variety of authentic Batak souvenirs, from traditional cakes to legendary snacks, full of flavor and cultural meaning.
The rich Batak culture is not only reflected in traditions and arts, but also in its mouth-watering culinary specialties.
Various Batak foods and snacks have authentic flavors as well as deep cultural meanings. If you visit the North Sumatra region, here are 10 Batak Souvenirs that you must bring home as souvenirs or gifts for your family.
1. Poul-Poul Duck
Itak Poul-Poul is a traditional cake named after the process of making it, which is by holding the dough using hands.
The name “itak” refers to flour, while “poul” means fist. This cake has a distinctive shape resembling a clenched fist, with a white color and brown gradations from the brown sugar used as a sweetener.
This typical Mandailing food is often served at important events such as the birth of a child, traditional weddings, or when receiving guests. Its sweet taste and soft texture make itak poul-poul a favorite for many people. You can find it in various souvenir shops in North Sumatra.
2. Lampet
Lampet, also known as lapet, is a traditional Bataknese triangular cake made from rice flour and grated coconut. Lampet has a liquid brown sugar filling that gives it a sweet taste when bitten. This cake is wrapped in banana leaves, which gives it a distinctive aroma and authentic taste.
The texture is a little rough, but the softness is still felt in every bite. Typical Batak Food, Lampet, is often served at family events and traditional ceremonies. You can buy it at traditional markets or Batak specialty stalls.
3. Ombus-Ombus
Ombus-ombus is a traditional Batak cake which means “blow-blow.” This name was given because this cake is usually enjoyed while warm, so it needs to be blown on before eating. Ombus-ombus is made from rice flour and coconut, with brown sugar as the main filling.
Different from lampet, the ombus-ombus filling is not mixed directly with the dough, but is placed in the middle. This cake is often a special dish at family events or when welcoming guests.
4. Sasagun
Sasagun is a traditional Batak snack that has a shape resembling rice grains or coarse flour. Made from grated coconut and rice flour that is roasted without oil, sasagun has a distinctive sweet taste thanks to the addition of brown sugar.
Its crunchy texture and authentic taste make sasagun a favorite souvenir choice. These snacks are usually sold in simple packaging, making them practical to take home.
5. Gadong Cake
Gadong cake has the same basic ingredients as lampet, but the process of making it is different. This cake is fried in hot oil, resulting in a crispier texture than lampet.
Filled with brown sugar and shaped like a perkedel, gadong cake offers a sweet and savory taste in every bite. This snack is perfect to be enjoyed as a friend to drink tea or coffee.
6. Fan Cake
Kue Kipas, also known as semprong, is a typical Batak snack that often appears during Christmas celebrations. Its shape resembles a fan or is rolled like a semprong cake.
This cake is made from a simple dough that produces a crunchy texture and a sweet taste. With its unique shape, fan cake is a favorite snack to accompany relaxing time with family.
7. Typical Batak Dodol
Bataknese dodol has a unique way of making because it is usually made together by residents in a spirit of mutual cooperation. This process not only produces delicious food, but also strengthens relationships between residents.
Batak Dodol has a chewy texture with a distinctive sweet taste. Variations in flavors such as palm sugar make this dodol different from dodol in general. Batak Dodol is often used as a souvenir to remind you of the atmosphere of your hometown.
8. Labar
Labar is a traditional food from Simalungun Regency which is made from a mixture of grated cassava and chicken. In addition, spices such as lemongrass, candlenuts, and Batak onions are used to provide a distinctive taste.
In the past, labar used squirrel or quail meat as the main ingredient, but now it is generally made with chicken.
The process of making it involves burning and stirring the ingredients until evenly distributed. Labar has a savory and rich spice taste, making it a traditional food full of history.
9. Nitak
Nitak is a traditional cake that also originates from Simalungun and has been recognized as an Intangible Cultural Heritage since 2016. Nitak is made from a mixture of pounded rice, coconut, brown sugar, ginger, and other spices.
This cake is usually served in traditional ceremonies such as weddings, new house installations, or religious rituals. Its sticky texture and rich taste make nitak a food full of cultural significance.
10. Tojin Beans
Kacang Tojin, or Kacang Tojen, is a typical snack that often appears during New Year’s parties in the Batak community. These nuts are fried until crispy with a mixture of onion spices that give a savory taste and fragrant aroma.
Its delicious taste makes tojin peanuts a favorite snack that is always missed. This snack is easy to find in traditional markets or souvenir shops in North Sumatra.
Typical Batak souvenirs are not just food, but also carry stories and deep cultural meaning. From traditional cakes such as itak poul-poul and lampet to snacks such as kacang tojin, each dish, including Typical Malay Food, reflects the richness of Batak traditions that are worth preserving.
If you visit North Sumatra, be sure to bring home one of these 10 Batak souvenirs. In addition to being a sweet keepsake, these souvenirs also allow you to share the uniqueness of Batak culture with those closest to you.
