Traditional snacks evoke nostalgia and, for many people, are deeply connected to memories of childhood and growing up. Reintroduce happy memories on your diners’ plates these original ideas to infuse your traditional hawker classics with a culinary twist coupled with an explosion of contemporary taste.
1. Cubit cake
The popular bite-sized cubit cake has taken the Jakarta dessert culinary scene by storm. It all started when a cake vendor started offering cubit cake with a variety of updated modern toppings. Get customers excited to order this traditional snack by offering a range of customisable toppings such as brown butter, cheese, green tea, marshmallows, and fresh fruit.
2. Rangin cake
Popularly known as pancong, this savoury hawker snack from Java is made from rice flour and shaved young coconut, and quite distinctive for its browned surface. Coffee shop entrepreneurs, especially, will find the rangin cake a valuable addition to their menu. For variation, you can offer options with grated cheese and sweetened condensed milk on top.
3. Sweet martabak
A crispy flatbread wrapped around a sweet filling and served piping hot, the martabak is a wildly popular street food that’s been around for generations. To shake things up a little, swap the traditional filling with modern ingredients such as green tea powder, red velvet, or even savoury options such as egg and cheese. The more fillings you provide across the taste spectrum, the more customers you’ll appeal to.
4. Surabi
The city of Bandung is famous for its version of surabi, which is basically a pancake made from rice flour and coconut milk, and topped with a sprinkle of sugar. Such a simple base means endless opportunities to modify it into a more modern snack. Alternative topping ideas include cheese, honey, sausage, eggs, fruit or even shredded beef and chicken. Remember to plate well and provide utensils for your customers.
