User:Gorontalo Food Travel/sandbox

Fragrant yellow rice is a popular dish in Gorontslo

With a population of 180,000, the city of Gorontalo has mountainous view and nearby coastal areas with world-class dive sites. Tourist destinations promoted by the provincial government officials include the cultural and historical spots as well as natural resources such as conservation areas, beaches, waterfalls, lakes, small islands and traditional villages.

GORONTALO FARES

Gorontalo is not yet famous as foodie destination. Those who have visited Gorontalo, however, realize that the city has potentials to attract foodies. It has distinct unique dishes, spicy and nutritious, encompassing snacks, appetizers, main course, desserts and drinks.

Most foods In Gorontalo are hot and spicy. The philosophy of honesty is shown through hot foods that have no sugar mix, and foods without synthetic seasoning. Arifasno Napu, who did his doctoral research on traditional food and nutrition, identified 15 types of staple foods, with 11 of them without rice as basic ingredients (sago, maize and cassava). There are 15 side dishes menu with basic ingredients from the water bodies (fish and shrimp).

Traditionally there are 10 kinds of vegetable dishes with local or vegetable-based ingredients that are common in Indonesia (eggplant, water spinach and fern). There are 35 kinds of snacks that traditionally are not made of wheat but of maize, cassava, sweet potatoes, bananas, and rice flour.

The main challenge in organizing food tours, as often raised by the World Food Travel Association, is whether people would want to travel far to a place to experience the food and drink it has to offer. The city of Gorontalo is 3 hours flying time from Jakarta with a transit in Makassar.