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Best Food in Banjarmasin (2026)
Banjarmasin's culinary identity centers on soto Banjar, a rich chicken soup with vermicelli, potato cake, and boiled egg, often served with ketupat. Another must-try is nasi kuβ¦ π Signature Dishes
Banjarmasin's culinary identity centers on soto Banjar, a rich chicken soup with vermicelli, potato cake, and boiled egg, often served with ketupat. Another must-try is nasi kuning, yellow rice wrapped in banana leaves with serundeng and fried chicken. For a sweet finish, sample bingka, a soft tapioca cake with a caramelized top, sold at many local bakeries.
πͺ Top Street Food Spots
Head to Jalan Pangeran Antasari in the evening, where stalls serve soto Banjar for around 15,000 to 25,000 rupiah per bowl. For grilled fish and seafood, visit the floating market area at Kuin River, but go early, as vendors pack up by 9 a.m. Try the legendary sate (satay) at Sate Khas Senapelan on Jalan Veteran, open from 4 p.m. to 10 p.m., with skewers priced from 20,000 rupiah.
π½οΈ Best Local Restaurants
Restoran Kambang Iwak, located at Jalan Lambung Mangkurat No. 12, is a long-standing favorite for soto Banjar and other Banjarese classics, with mains from 30,000 to 60,000 rupiah. Another excellent choice is Rumah Makan Rahmat, on Jalan Ahmad Yani, known for its ayam masak habang (chicken in red chili sauce) and fresh river fish. Both are busy at lunch, so arrive before noon to secure a table.
π Floating Market Food
The Lok Baintan Floating Market, about 30 minutes by boat from the city center, is a unique breakfast destination where vendors sell soto, nasi kuning, and fresh fruits from wooden boats. Take a motorized boat from the Muara Kuin dock at 6 a.m., and budget around 50,000 rupiah for the round trip. Sample the local coffee and fried bananas from the boats, which are prepared right in front of you.
π’ Night Market Eats
The Duta Mall area hosts a lively night food market from 6 p.m. to midnight, with stalls offering everything from martabak to grilled corn and sate. For a more authentic vibe, explore the Jalan Sudirman night market, where you can try apam (pancakes) and bubur (porridge) for under 10,000 rupiah. Don't miss the sweet and spicy rujak (fruit salad) sold by vendors near the Sabilal Muhtadin Mosque.
π° Sweet Treats
For traditional Banjarese desserts, visit Toko Kue Haji Norsiah on Jalan Veteran, famous for its bingka and lapis legit (spiced layer cake), with prices starting at 5,000 rupiah per piece. Another favorite is the durian pancake (dadar) at Pasar Terapung, best enjoyed fresh in the morning. If you prefer modern cafes, try Kopi Kalangan on Jalan Lambung Mangkurat, which serves local cakes alongside excellent coffee.
π΅ Budget and Prices
Street food is remarkably affordable, with most snacks and drinks costing between 5,000 and 15,000 rupiah. A full meal at a local restaurant typically ranges from 25,000 to 50,000 rupiah per person, while upscale places may charge up to 100,000 rupiah. Carry small bills, as many vendors do not accept card payments, and always confirm prices before ordering at markets.
π€ Getting Around for Food
To reach the floating markets and riverside eateries, hire a klotok (traditional boat) for about 150,000 rupiah per hour, which can be arranged at the Kuin River dock. For land-based food spots, use ride-hailing apps like Gojek or Grab, which are widely available and cost around 10,000 to 20,000 rupiah for short trips. Walking is feasible in the central area, but be cautious of traffic during peak hours.
ngl the guide nailed the big spots but it missed my favorite hidden gem, the soto Banjar at the stall right next to the Sabilal Muhtadin Mosque at dawn. it's not even on Jalan Antasari, it's tucked behind the parking lot, and the lady there has been serving since the 90s. bowl goes for like 12k and she puts this extra crispy potato cake that other places skimp on. go before 7am or she runs out of the good chicken.
also for the floating market, don't just take the boat from Muara Kuin, ask the captain to stop at the smaller stalls near the river bend, they sell this grilled fish wrapped in banana leaf that the main market vendors don't have. costs a bit more but worth it, prob 20k extra. and honestly skip the durian pancake at Pasar Terapung, it's tourist priced, get the bingka from Haji Norsiah instead, the one with the burnt top is way better cold the next morning.
i almost skipped this post but the floating market tip saved me. took the 6am boat from muara kuin last week and the guide undersells how cold it gets on the river, bring a light jacket even if it's hot on land. the grilled fish wrapped in banana leaf is real, but ask for the one with the sambal on the side, the vendors default to a sweeter sauce that doesn't do the fish justice.
for the night market, i'd add that the grilled corn guy near duta mall has a secret: he'll brush it with butter and sprinkle it with cheese if u ask nicely, it's like 3k extra and way better than the plain salt version. also, if ur into rujak, the vendor near sabilal muhtadin uses a different fruit mix on weekends, more mango and less jicama, so it's worth a second visit if u catch it on a sunday.
one thing that caught me off guard, most soto places close by 2pm even the popular ones on antasari. i showed up at 3pm once and got nothing but a locked shutter, so plan ur lunch early or stick to the night stalls. and carry a power bank, the ride-hailing apps drain ur phone fast when ur bouncing between food spots all day.
the guide's right about Kambang Iwak but go for the late breakfast crowd around 10am, not before noon. the soto's been simmering since 5am so the broth gets deeper and richer by then, plus you can snag the window seats overlooking the river. order the ketupat on the side and tear it into the soup, that's how the old timers do it.
for a proper sweet fix that's not in the guide, check out the lapis legit at Toko Kue Haji Norsiah, but ask for the slice from the middle of the loaf, it's softer and more buttery than the end pieces. they also do this little known pandan cake that's only out on fridays, costs like 7k and goes perfect with their plain black coffee. prob worth timing your visit around that if you're in town on a friday.
one thing the guide missed entirely is the soto ayam variant at the night market near the Duta Mall, the one with the yellow broth and extra lime. it's not the Banjar style but it's got this smoky grilled chicken flavor that reminds me of the street food in Java. stall's at the far corner by the parking lot, opens around 7pm, and the guy running it speaks a bit of english which helps if you wanna ask for extra sambal.
3 Days in Banjarmasin: Itinerary 2026
Start your first day at the floating market of Lok Baintan, which operates from dawn until around 9 AM. Take a traditional klotok boat from the pier near Siring Banjarmasin at 5:3β¦ πΊοΈ Day 1 Morning
Start your first day at the floating market of Lok Baintan, which operates from dawn until around 9 AM. Take a traditional klotok boat from the pier near Siring Banjarmasin at 5:30 AM; the ride takes about 30 minutes. After the market, head back to the city center for a late breakfast at Soto Banjar Bang Amat (Jl. Jenderal Sudirman No. 1), open from 7 AM to 11 AM.
ποΈ Day 1 Afternoon
Spend the afternoon exploring the historic center around Jalan Lambung Mangkurat. Visit the Museum Wasaka (Jl. Hasan Basri, open 8 AM to 4 PM, closed Mondays) to learn about the local Banjar culture and history. Then walk to the iconic Masjid Sultan Suriansyah, the oldest mosque in South Kalimantan, just 10 minutes away by car.
π Day 1 Evening
In the evening, enjoy a sunset river cruise along the Martapura River, departing from the Siring Banjarmasin pier at 5 PM. The cruise lasts about two hours and costs around 100,000 IDR per person. End your day with dinner at Rumah Makan Apung Rahmat (Jl. S. Parman No. 88), a floating restaurant serving fresh river fish, open until 10 PM.
ποΈ Day 2 Morning
On day two, head south to the village of Pulau Kaget to see the proboscis monkeys in their natural habitat. Hire a speedboat from Banjarmasin's Banjar Raya harbor; the trip takes about 45 minutes and costs around 300,000 IDR for the boat. Arrive by 7 AM for the best chance to spot the monkeys, then return to the city for a late breakfast.
π Day 2 Afternoon
After returning, explore the traditional market of Pasar Terapung Siring, which is lively from noon to 2 PM. Sample local snacks like apam barabai and ketupat kandangan from the vendors. For lunch, try the famous soto banjar at Soto Banjar H. M. Idris (Jl. Veteran No. 12), a family-run spot open from 10 AM to 3 PM.
π Day 2 Evening
In the evening, catch a cultural performance at the Banjarmasin Cultural Park (Jl. A. Yani Km 4.5), where traditional dances are held every Saturday at 7 PM. The entrance fee is 20,000 IDR. After the show, stroll along the riverside promenade at Kembang Island, a small park accessible by a short boat ride from the mainland.
πΆ Day 3 Morning
On your final day, take a morning trip to the floating village of Kuin, located just 15 minutes by boat from the city center. Explore the stilt houses and observe the daily life of the river community. You can hire a boat at the Kuin pier for about 50,000 IDR per hour.
ποΈ Day 3 Afternoon
Spend your last afternoon shopping for souvenirs at Pasar Cempaka Besar (Jl. Cempaka Besar), known for its local handicrafts and gemstones. The market is open from 8 AM to 5 PM, and you can bargain for prices. For a final meal, try the grilled fish at Rumah Makan Lais (Jl. Ahmad Yani Km 6), a local favorite open until 9 PM.
The floating market tip about bringing small bills is spot on, I learned that the hard way. One thing I'd add for day 1: skip the Soto Banjar Bang Amat if it's crowded and walk a bit further to Jl. Pangeran Antasari, there's a warung that only does soto until it runs out around 9 AM, usually by 10 it's gone. Same recipe family, but the broth is richer because they make smaller batches.
For day 2, the proboscis monkey trip is worth it but don't expect a zoo experience. You'll see them lounging in trees, not swinging around, so bring binoculars if you have them. The speedboat captain will wait for you to take photos, but they won't chase the monkeys, so patience is key.
Day 3, if you're at Pasar Cempaka Besar and want something more unique than gemstones, look for the intan laki sellers, the black diamonds from the local rivers. They're not polished like regular diamonds, but locals swear they bring luck, and you can get small ones for 50k to 100k if you haggle well. Just make sure you're buying from the older vendors near the back, the front stalls tend to overcharge tourists.
solid itinerary honestly, but i'd tweak day 1. lok baintan is great but if u want the real chaotic vibe, go on a sunday when more sellers show up. also, bring small bills (5k and 10k notes) for the floating market, vendors rarely have change for 50k.
for day 2, skip pasar terapung siring in the afternoon, it's dead by then tbh. instead hit it right after the monkey trip around 9-10 AM when the boats are still stocking up. the ketupat kandangan there is way better than what u get at the stalls later.
one thing u missed: try es kelapa muda at the riverside near siring banjarmasin around sunset, it's like 15k and hits different after a hot day. also on day 3, the kuin village boat ride is fine but u can actually walk across the wooden bridge at kampung biru if u want a free view of the stilt houses. saves u 50k.
honestly the itinerary's pretty well paced, but day 2 morning feels rushed. the proboscis monkeys are cool, but the real highlight is the boat ride itself, you'll pass these tiny floating houses with kids waving and old women washing clothes. dont just stare at the monkeys, ask the captain to slow down near the stilt villages on the way back.
also for day 3, skip the gemstones if u dont know ur stones. instead hit the sasirangan batik stalls along jalan a.yani, the hand-stamped ones are way cheaper than the silk stuff downtown