The short answer
Batagor and Bandung street snacks: what visitors should know first
Try street snacks only if you eat fish. If you are vegetarian, Jain or vegan, choose tofu, tempeh or lotek and ask about shrimp paste, because batagor and siomay are made with fish.
History and context
The story behind Batagor and Bandung street snacks
Wikipedia says batagor was first made in Bandung in 1968 by Haji Isan, a migrant from Purwokerto. One legend says it was invented to use up unsold meatballs.
Useful facts
Batagor and Bandung street snacks facts at a glance
- Location
- Stalls and cafes across Bandung
- Dining style
- Street food
- Price signal
- Budget
- Signature order
- Try (if you eat fish): batagor; otherwise tofu or lotek
- Not suitable for
- Vegetarian, Jain and vegan diets (batagor)
- Good for
- Quick afternoon snacks
Why it matters
Why Batagor and Bandung street snacks is worth your time
Food is part of why people visit Bandung, and the local style is Sundanese: fresh vegetables, sambal and fried snacks. Wikipedia credits batagor to Bandung in 1968, so it is a local invention rather than a general Indonesian dish.
For Indian vegetarians, the main lesson is practical. Wikivoyage says vegetarian restaurants are uncommon, and fish and shrimp paste appear in many snacks. Planning how you will eat on day trips and asking directly in every kitchen is as useful as any restaurant name.
Highlights
What not to miss
- 01
Batagor
Fish dumplings, tofu and peanut sauce; not vegetarian.
- 02
Lotek
A cooked vegetable salad in peanut sauce; ask about shrimp paste.
- 03
Say it clearly
State that you eat no meat, fish or egg.
Plan your visit
How to experience it
Batagor is the dish most associated with Bandung. Wikipedia says it is a fried fish dumpling with tofu and vegetables in peanut sauce, traditionally made with minced mackerel and served with sweet soy sauce, sambal and lime. That means it is not vegetarian, and not suitable for Jain or vegan diets.
If you eat fish, look for a busy stall and ask about the day's batch. If you do not, ask for fried tofu, tempeh or lotek, which Wikivoyage lists among widely available dishes. Lotek is a cooked vegetable salad in peanut sauce, but the sambal may contain shrimp paste, so ask before you eat.
Say clearly that you eat no meat, fish or egg. We could not verify a pure-vegetarian, Jain, vegan or Indian restaurant in Bandung, so ask your hotel to check kitchens, and carry dry snacks.
Plan with confidence
Small checks that make a better meal.
- Tell the cook your diet clearly
- Ask about shrimp paste
- Choose busy stalls
- Carry dry snacks for day trips
Know before you go
Timing, access and comfort
- Area
- Street stalls and cafes across Bandung
- Time needed
- 30 to 45 minutes
- Best time
- Lunch or an afternoon snack
- Walking level
- Easy
- Senior comfort
- Easy to eat at a seat, though stalls vary in hygiene. Choose busy stalls, avoid ice from unknown sources and ask for the sauce on the side.
- Tickets and access
- No booking needed. We have not verified any specific stall or diet claim, so this listing carries no diet tag.
Best for
Plan it with
Plan the practical part
Hotels near Batagor and Bandung street snacks
Staying close keeps journeys short — useful for early starts and for anyone who tires quickly.
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Travelling with parents?
Easy to eat at a seat, though stalls vary in hygiene. Choose busy stalls, avoid ice from unknown sources and ask for the sauce on the side.
Raahzo can arrange an arrival or day companion who handles tickets, queues and pacing, and keeps the family updated.
See concierge supportFAQs
Is batagor vegetarian?
No, it is made with fish paste; Wikipedia gives the usual fish as mackerel.
What can vegetarians eat?
Tofu, tempeh and lotek are common; ask about shrimp paste in the sambal.
Is there a vegetarian restaurant?
We could not verify one from a source we opened.
Sources and further reading
Timings, fees and access rules change. Recheck with the official source before you travel.
