Mie Belitung and Seafood in Belitung

Part of the Belitung travel guide — see every topic in All Belitung Guides.

Belitung's food is simple, fresh and based on the sea. Fishing boats come in every morning, and grilled fish, squid and crab are on almost every menu. The island also has its own dishes, mixing Malay and other local traditions. The two you must try are mie Belitung, a bowl of noodles in a sweet shrimp sauce, and gangan, a yellow fish soup. Most food is cheap and served in plain, friendly places.

Mie Belitung

Mie Belitung is the island's best-known dish. Yellow egg noodles are covered with a thick, slightly sweet broth made from shrimp, then topped with boiled potato, tofu, bean sprouts, cucumber, shrimp and crunchy crackers. It is often served on a small plate lined with a leaf. You can add chilli and lime to taste. The most famous place is Mie Atep in Tanjung Pandan, which has served it for decades, but many small shops make it well. Drink it with es jeruk kunci, a sweet and sour iced lime drink.

Gangan fish soup

Gangan is a yellow fish soup coloured with fresh turmeric. It is sour and slightly spicy, often cooked with pineapple, and usually made with fresh fish such as snapper or grouper, sometimes with the fish head. It is eaten with white rice and is very refreshing on a hot day. Many local restaurants in Tanjung Pandan serve gangan, and it often comes as part of a shared meal with grilled fish, vegetables and sambal. Ask for it less spicy if you are not used to chilli, and eat it while it is hot.

Seafood by the sea

Along the north coast and in Tanjung Pandan, seafood restaurants let you choose fish, squid, prawns or crab and decide how to cook it: grilled, fried, steamed or in sauce. Many sit by the water, which is perfect at sunset. Prices are usually by weight, so ask before ordering. Island hopping tours often include a simple lunch of grilled fish on the beach. Fresh coconuts are sold at almost every beach to drink. Choose places that look busy with local families, because the fish there moves fast and stays fresh.

Snacks and coffee

Belitung people love coffee, and coffee shops in Tanjung Pandan and Manggar serve it strong, often with condensed milk. Pair it with local cakes, fried snacks or toast with kaya, a sweet coconut jam. Look for kerupuk, crackers made from fish and shrimp, sold in bags as gifts. Satay, fried rice and noodle stalls appear in the evening near the town centre. Most local food is halal, and vegetarian dishes are limited, so ask clearly. Night markets in Tanjung Pandan are a good place to try many small things at once.

Mie Belitung and Seafood at a glance

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