“Flavourful and odourless, it was so different from the other Rujak Cingur that I’ve tasted before. Add to that the smooth texture of the petis, and you’ve got yourself the finest Rujak Cingur ever.”

Andrew Zimmern, the affable host of the television show “Bizarre Food”, once mentioned on one of its episodes that he feels like coming home every time he visits Indonesia. According to the man himself, “the local food is gold, and the unexpected is a way of life.”

One local dish that we think Andrew should try is Rujak Cingur. The taste of its spicy petis(shrimp paste), mixed with vegetables and a cow’s nose (!), will definitely drive Andrew and the legions of bizarre food lovers out there wild. To indulge yourself in a heavenly serving of Rujak Cingur, Rujak Cingur Ahmad Jais is the place to be.

Founded in 1970 by Ng Ciok Chu, the joint has been dubbed by many as the purveyors of the best Rujak Cingur in Surabaya. You won’t see any signboards that indicate its location, but ask the locals and they will certainly point you to towards the right direction.

During my visit, Ng Giok Chu was supervising her daughter Ong Sioe Sin whilst she prepared all the ordered items. Since they don’t hire any staff, I had to wait for about 45 minutes for my Rujak Cingur to arrive on my table. It was huge in size, which would be perfect for sharing with your loved ones. I could see plenty of cingur (cow’s nose) in it, which thankfully were covered by the dark petis. Flavourful and odourless, it was so different from the other Rujak Cingur that I’ve tasted before. Add to that the smooth texture of the petis, and you’ve got yourself the finest Rujak Cingur ever.

But I was a tad shocked when the bill came. One portion of its Rujak Cingur is priced at Rp.60,000, which three times more expensive than any of its equivalents. However, looking at its serving size and taste, it’s worth every penny.

Jl. Achmad Jais No. 40,
Wonokromo, Surabaya, East Java
T: 031 532 8443
Open daily from 11am-5pm
Rp.60,000/US$4.30 per portion