Sumbanese Food
The island's own dishes, what goes into them and where you can try them.
What food is Sumba known for?
Sumbanese cooking is built on corn, cassava, pumpkin, coconut, peanuts and papaya leaves. Rumpu rampe, from East Sumba, is the easiest dish to find. Snacks like manggulu and kaparak are harder to buy.
Sumbanese Dishes to Try
Most Sumbanese cooking uses corn, cassava, pumpkin, coconut, peanuts and papaya leaves, and recipes change from family to family.
Rumpu rampe
East Sumba
Boiled papaya flowers, papaya leaves, moringa leaves, cassava leaves and banana blossom, mixed together.
Usually served with se'i sapi (smoked beef) and spicy sambal. The easiest Sumbanese dish to find.
Nasi jagung
Across Sumba
Ground corn cooked with boiled red beans, eaten in place of rice. Also called nga'a watarai patau kabbe.
An everyday staple, served with vegetables, fish, chicken, eggs or coconut milk soup.
Manggulu
East Sumba
Banana and peanuts pressed together and wrapped in dried banana leaves. Sweet and filling.
A snack that keeps well for travel. Hard to buy in shops.
Kaparak
Across Sumba
Finely pounded corn, rice or sago mixed with ground peanuts.
Eaten for breakfast or as an afternoon snack with coffee or tea.
Daun ubi tumbuk
Across Sumba
Cassava leaves pounded soft, then cooked with rice, coconut milk and spices. The Sumbanese version has a thick coconut broth.
Home cooking, and hard to find in restaurants.
Rowi kariwang
Called rowe pako'da in the southwest
A porridge of corn, pumpkin and vegetables boiled with pumpkin leaves.
Served with sambal kemangi, a basil chilli sauce.
Where to try Sumbanese food
Places in town that serve local dishes. For more choice, see the warungs in Sumba and the restaurants in Sumba.
Top recommendationTambolaka, Southwest Sumba
Makan Dulu
A restaurant near Tambolaka run by the Sumba Hospitality Foundation, serving Indonesian food with a Sumbanese twist.
- Google 4.9 / 5 from 415 reviews
- Restaurant
- Type
- Restaurant
- Where
- Tambolaka, Southwest Sumba
- Best for
- Sumbanese dishes, Indonesian favourites
Dapur Sumba
Sumbanese and Indonesian · Tambolaka, Southwest Sumba
Reviewers mention grilled fish, papaya flowers and Sumba grilled chicken at this Tambolaka restaurant.
Best for: Sumbanese dishes, Seafood
Google: 4.3 / 5 from 578 reviews
View listing
PC Corner Cafe & Restaurant
Restaurant · Waingapu, East Sumba
A cafe and restaurant in Waingapu with live music, an Indonesian menu and a view over the city.
Best for: Coffee and breakfast, Sumbanese dishes
Google: 4.3 / 5 from 552 reviews
View listing
Pondok Daun Ubi
Bakso and cassava leaves · Waikabubak, West Sumba
Named after daun ubi, pounded cassava leaves, and known in reviews for its meatball soup.
Best for: Sumbanese dishes, A quick, cheap meal
Google: 4.3 / 5 from 288 reviews
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La Paranda
Restaurant · Waingapu, East Sumba
A Waingapu restaurant known in reviews for bunga papaya (papaya flowers), se'i sapi and live music.
Best for: Sumbanese dishes, Seafood
Google: 4.4 / 5 from 226 reviews
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Cafe Talasi
Coffee and local products · Tambolaka, Southwest Sumba
A coffee shop near Tambolaka Airport serving arabica coffee and local products, including cashews.
Best for: Coffee and breakfast, Sumbanese dishes
Google: 4.8 / 5 from 109 reviews
View listingKedai Se'i Babi Karunia
Se'i (smoked pork) · Waingapu, East Sumba
A Waingapu eatery for se'i, Sumba-style smoked pork, with grilled pork rice and red bean soup. Serves pork.
Best for: Sumbanese dishes
Google: 4.5 / 5 from 251 reviews
AKS Aroma Kopi Sumba
Sumba coffee · Wewewa Timur, Southwest Sumba
A small coffee shop serving Sumba-grown robusta, where reviewers mention local coffee farming and processing.
Best for: Coffee and breakfast, Sumbanese dishes
Google: 4.9 / 5 from 56 reviews
Ratings are Google ratings at the time of writing. Sumba Guide is not paid for these listings.
Is a Sumbanese meal right for you?
Choose this if…
- You want to try food you will not find at home
- You are happy to eat simply at a local place
- You are in town between day trips
Look elsewhere if…
- You want a coffee and a light meal. Cafes
- You want a sit-down dinner. Restaurants
Eating in Sumba
Questions about Sumbanese food
Can I find halal food in Sumba?
Many Padang and Javanese canteens in the towns serve halal food. Ask the staff to be sure, as some local places serve pork.
Is food in Sumba expensive?
Warungs and Padang canteens are cheap. Town cafes cost more, and resort restaurants cost the most.
Where are the restaurants in Sumba?
Most are in the three towns: Waingapu, Tambolaka and Waikabubak. Away from the towns, most travellers eat at their accommodation.
Other places to eat in Sumba
Cafes and Coffee
Local coffee shops and cafes serving Indonesian and Sumbanese food.
Best for coffee and breakfast
Restaurants
Sit-down restaurants in Waingapu, Tambolaka and Waikabubak.
Best for a proper meal
Warungs
Small local eateries serving rice dishes, soups and grilled fish.
Best for cheap local food
All food and drink
Every place to eat we list, with filters by town, type and what you feel like.
See them all
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