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If you haven’t read the myth about Malin Kundang yet, you can do so by clicking here. If you want to see the rock formation of Malin Kundang and his ship, cursed by his mother into a stone, go here.
Malin Kundang’s hometown is Padang, the capital city of West Sumatra on the island of Sumatra, which is one of the biggest islands in Indonesia. Tourists usually only come here because it is an access to the incredible surfing site, the Bungus Bay in the Mentawai Island.
The word “Padang” in Indonesia simply means ‘field’. Ever since the 16th and the 17th century, pepper was cultivated and traded in Padang with India, Portugal and the United Kingdom! Yep, it has been an international city for centuries. Padang is the biggest city on the island Sumatra and has an international airport called Minangkabau International Airport in Ketaping, to be precise. Although big, you see that the streets are still very quiet… especially if you are used to the streets of Jakarta!
The cuisine of the Padang people is probably the most famous cuisine amongst all traditional cuisine in Indonesia. Wherever you go you can find Padang restaurants which is named “Rumah Makan Padang” (Padang House of Dining), not only here in Indonesia but also all around the world! In Frankfurt, Germany where I grew up, we also found a Padang Restaurant. I was told very early in my childhood that even if we set our foot on the moon, we will find at least one Padang restaurant there. That is how we joke about their amazing cuisine endeavor.
In Indonesia, every tribe and place has their own cultural signature. Padang’s is not only their delicious food but also their beautiful traditional roof design that you can easily recognize whenever you spot them. Even in Jakarta, you can find roofs of Minangkabau people (the indigenous people of Padang) designed the same way as well as their restaurant buildings.
If you come to Padang, try their delicious beef dish ‘rendang’. We will soon add a special article about this most favourite dish including the recipe!
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What so specific about the “Padang Restaurant” is the super-fast service. Why and how? Here is the WHY: Once you came to the restaurant’s doorstep, you will be asked “Berapa orang, pak or bu ? (How many people are you sir or mam?). Don’t be surprised if the attendant, guiding you to your table, shouts something out informing the back-house of the restaurant. And …. voila … the foods are already on the table instantly, even before you order them and not even are pretty well seated.
And the HOW? While guiding to your table, the attendant will shout out the number of your group informing the back of the house to serve four meals if your answer was four when asked by the attendant at the first place.