Since it’s the entrance and exit stage for neighbouring attractions such as Lake Toba and Bukit Lawang, the town of Medan in North Sumatra sees a large number of tourists. Regrettably, however, many individuals leave as fast as possible, believing this is just another large city in Indonesia and remain in Medan. They could not be more wrong. Medan sees plenty of domestic tourists that realize its charms and who also realize that it has some of the most exceptional meals in Indonesia.
You may register for a food tour, or go and explore the sights. The majority of Medan’s top attractions are focused around food that will give you the taste of the city. Along with the restaurants, stalls, and food courts, Medan is known for its diversity. It is reflected in the array of attractions that you can encounter here, including a strong Tamil impact, a big Chinese community, along with the indigenous Batak folks who also call Medan home.
- Have a bowl of soup in Soto Kesawan
Soto Kesawan is one of the most well-known restaurants in the city, and one reason people flock to Medan. It’s actually not really a restaurant but only a little shop with a couple of tables. Still, it serves up one of Medan’s most well-known dishes, Soto Medan. In essence, it is a soup which is garnished with coconut milk and has chicken or prawns inserted to it with an addition of crispy bean sprouts and potato cakes. The eatery closes about 4 pm, so make sure that you get here quickly if you want to score a bowl of the delicious and soothing soup.
2. Have lunch in Tip Top Restaurant
Tip Top Restaurant is something of an establishment in Medan and opened its doors in 1934. Little has changed since then, and for that very reason, it is a very appealing place to eat. The restaurant also has an ice cream parlor in addition to a bakery that makes cakes and serves a range of Indonesian and global food. The reason to come back here will be to delight in the span setting and receive a taste of how Medan might have looked years ago.
3. Tour Tjong A Fie Mansion
Whoever that has been into Cheong Fatt Tze Mansion in Penang may find Tjong A Fie Mansion familiar. Tjong A Fie was a relative of Cheong Fatt Tze, hence the similarities between the two buildings. The home is just one of the best attractions in Medan and is a great place to see exactly how people would have lived in this city in the 1900s. It is possible to choose a guided tour around the mansion that will take about an hour and listen to all about the history here with one of the attentive guides. As you walk around, be sure you check out all of the elaborate decorations and the garden. This mansion is close to the two eateries mentioned above.
4. Dress up at Istana Maimun
Istana Maimun is the title of this royal palace in Medan that belonged to Delhi’s Sultanate. Now portions of the palace are all open to the public and have now been turned into a museum. These contain the living area, and now there are a couple of screens that describe the background of the royal family and a few collections of clothing and other objects of interest. One of the significant attractions here is that you can take pictures in the living area for a small charge and can dress up in period garb, and you may also walk around with it.
5. Visit Masjid Raya Al Mashun
Mesjid Raya Al Mashun, or often referred to just Mesjid Raya, is the key mosque of Medan and is well known for being one of its most charming. You can take a tour around the mosque if you are interested. The mosque was constructed using building materials such as Italian marble and checking out all the details here. Keep an eye out for the mesmerizing emerald green tiles as well as the stained-glass touches, as well as the mosque is wrapped with elegant domes that are dim. Non-Muslims are welcome to explore the mosque outside of prayer hours, but make sure to dress respectfully.
Ready to start your getaway to Medan? Visit Wonderful Indonesia, and don’t miss out on the magic!
