Papeda and Yellow Fish Soup: A Street Food from Papua

When it comes to unique and delicious Indonesian street food, papeda and yellow fish soup stand out as iconic dishes from Papua. Made from sago, papeda is a sticky, translucent starch that has been a staple food in eastern Indonesia for generations.

According to Indonesia.go.id, papeda — known as dao in the Inanwatan and other Papuan languages — holds deep cultural significance. It is especially important among the Sentani, Arso, and Manokwari communities. Traditionally served at rituals such as birth ceremonies or the Watani Kame funeral rite in Raja Ampat, papeda is more than just food — it’s part of the local identity.

The Art of Making Papeda

Making papeda is both an art and a science. Sago starch is mixed with cool water and stirred until smooth. Then, boiling water is added slowly while stirring continuously in one direction until the mixture turns clear and sticky. The result is a smooth, elastic texture that doesn’t easily break when scooped using gata-gata — traditional wooden chopsticks.

Perfect papeda has a shiny, translucent look and a firm, glue-like consistency. However, achieving the right texture requires precision. Too much water makes it runny; too little water makes it too stiff. Even the temperature of the water plays a crucial role. This is why, even among Papuans, not everyone can make good papeda.

A Flavorful Pairing: Yellow Fish Soup

Papeda is commonly served with yellow fish soup — a tangy broth made with turmeric, garlic, shallots, and fresh tomatoes. Fish, often snapper, is marinated and cooked in the fragrant soup along with lemongrass and kaffir lime leaves. The bright yellow color and rich flavor come from the combination of fresh herbs and spices.

Here’s a simple recipe to try at home:

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Papeda & Yellow Fish Soup Recipe

Ingredients:

For the soup:

• 300g snapper fillet, diced
• 1 tbsp lime juice
• 1 tsp salt
• 4 tbsp cooking oil
• 2 stalks lemongrass (white part), bruised
• 6 kaffir lime leaves
• 500 ml water
• 2 tomatoes, quartered
• 2 spring onions, chopped
• 1 tbsp lime juice (additional)
• ½ tsp sugar

Ground spices:

• 10 shallots
• 5 garlic cloves
• 3 roasted candlenuts
• 2 cm turmeric (grilled)
• 2 cm ginger
• 1¼ tsp salt
• 1 tsp sugar

For papeda:

• 100g sago flour
• 1.2 L water
• 1 tsp salt
• 1 tsp sugar

Instructions:

1. Prepare the fish: Marinate fish with lime juice and salt. Set aside.
2. Cook the soup: Heat oil, sauté ground spices with lemongrass and lime leaves until fragrant. Add water and bring to a boil. Add fish, tomatoes, spring onions, sugar, and lime juice. Simmer until the fish is cooked.
3. Make the papeda: Mix sago flour with 300 ml cold water, salt, and sugar. Stir until smooth. Bring 900 ml of water to a boil. Slowly pour in the sago mixture while stirring continuously until it thickens and becomes glossy and sticky.
4. Serve: Transfer papeda and soup into serving bowls. Serve warm.

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Papeda’s mild taste perfectly complements the tangy and aromatic yellow fish soup. This healthy combination is not only low in cholesterol but also rich in fiber and nutrients. No wonder this traditional dish has gained popularity in cities across Indonesia as a beloved street food. Be sure to enjoy it warm, as the texture hardens as it cools.

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