Manadonese food is famous throughout Indonesia for two things: the Minahasa eat almost anything, and it is very, very spicy. Sugar barely features; flavour comes from lemon and herbs. Being predominantly Christian, the Minahasa also marinate meats in alcohol and favour pork. More exotic options include bat, field rat and dog — the last a traditional centrepiece at weddings and Christmas feasts.
Classic dishes:
- ayam rica-rica — grilled chicken smothered in a fiery red chili-and-onion paste
- ikan woku — fish simmered with turmeric, lemongrass and basil
- babi tore — pork fried until crunchy with lots of chilli
- perkedel milu — corn fritters
- tinutuan (bubur manado) — a thick porridge of rice, pumpkin, noodles and vegetables; one of the few local dishes that isn't fiercely spicy
Dutch colonial history also left its mark:
- breneibon — a rich kidney bean soup
- klappertart — a coconut custard cake with a distinctly European feel