“A soupy concoction that comprises daun kelor, onion, garlic, salt and sugar, Sayur Kelor reminded me of the Sayur Bayam (spinach soup) that I would usually eat at home.”

Besides the well-documented Ayam Taliwang, another one of Lombok’s signature dishes is Sayur Kelor, which is made from daun kelor (the leaf from a Moringa tree). It is believed that some of the health benefits of eating the delicious daun kelor include lowering blood pressure, increase breast milk supply, and is rich in iron. Obtaining Sayur Kelor in Lombok is as easy as ABC. A multitude of eateries across the island offer the dish, and one that I’ve set my eyes on is Warung Kelor Pancor in Selong, East Lombok. It has been around for more than four decades, and has yet to extend its wings by opening a branch somewhere else – a perfect candidate for our Heritage selection of eateries. Warung Kelor Pancor serves simple meals that were sorely needed for my homesick taste buds. Having been travelling around for about a week, I was longing for some home-made delights to pass through this mouth of mine. It’s very much an old-school joint, with no air conditioner around to inject a bit of cool air into the place. Similar in concept to a warteg (warung Tegal, which is a small shop that serves dishes originating from Tegal, Central Java), all the food here have been prepared beforehand. Without putting in much thought, I went for Sayur Kelor and Ayam Goreng (fried chicken). A soupy concoction that comprises daun kelor, onion, garlic, salt and sugar, Sayur Kelor reminded me of the Sayur Bayam (spinach soup) that I would usually eat at home. The daun kelor tasted smooth, and while it had pretty much the same texture to spinach, it didn’t leave a chalky sensation on my palate. The Ayam Goreng was well marinated and oh-so-tender. The dining experience that I had at Warung Kelor Pancor made me miss my mum’s cooking. I left feeling satisfied, and after learning more about the wondrous medical rewards that one could reap from eating Sayur Kelor, I just wish I could have it more often.

By Jessicha Valentina

Jl. KH Ahmad Dahlan,
Pancor, Nearby RSUD Selong
T: 0376 23 621
Open daily from 9am-8.30pm
Rp.20,000/US$1.50 per person