This classic Palembang Pempek is tasty, but there's a catch.
qponx
2026-03-06
Discover PEMPEK NONY 168, a top spot in Palembang for authentic souvenirs. This place serves up seriously delicious Pempek with a rich fish flavor and an addictive Cuko sauce that’s perfectly balanced. For the ultimate combo, pair it with a refreshing bowl of Es Kacang Merah. But here's the catch: while the Pempek is a must-try, the article suggests skipping the less impressive Tekwan soup. It’s the perfect place for vacuum-packed gifts to bring home.
Every time I leave Palembang, the biggest headache is figuring out what souvenirs (Oleh-oleh) to bring back for my friends and colleagues in Jakarta. I asked 10 locals, and 8 of them pointed to the same place—PEMPEK NONY 168. Alright, so I went to check it out to see if it's really that Mantap!
As soon as I walked in, I didn't even need to look at the menu and went straight for the Pempek. Let me tell you, their Pempek[1] has an incredible fish flavor; it's not one of those half-hearted flour lumps, it's the real deal with the fresh aroma of mackerel. But the absolute soul of it is the Cuko vinegar sauce! The balance of sour, sweet, and spicy is just right. One bite and it hits you instantly; it's really nagih (addictive)! Whether it's the classic lenjer or the egg-filled telor, you can't go wrong with any of them.
Feeling a bit spicy halfway through? Quickly order a bowl of Es Kacang Merah[2] to cool down! For only 15,000 Indonesian Rupiah[3], you get a huge, full bowl. The red beans are cooked until they're super soft and tender, and the sweetness is very natural, not that cloyingly sweet saccharin taste. Eating it with Pempek is an absolutely perfect match; who invented this match made in heaven?! Anjay!
However, not everything is worth hyping up. I originally wanted to try the local specialty, Tekwan soup[4], but it was a bit of a letdown. I felt like there were fewer ingredients in the soup, the flavor was a bit one-dimensional, and they gave way too many glass noodles, which kind of overshadowed everything else. So for this one... you might want to skip it.
Highlights! A No-Fail Guide for My Fans
Alright, get your little notebooks out and take notes! ✍️
- Top Choice for Souvenirs: This place is definitely the top choice for buying souvenirs[5]! The vacuum packing is done very well, so the taste is pretty much the same when you bring it back to Jakarta. A pack of 10 costs around 40,000 Indonesian Rupiah[6], which is a very fair price.
- Inter-city Shipping: If you're too lazy to carry it yourself, they also offer a shipping service. But take my advice, it's best to choose a direct flight[7], otherwise, if it's delayed on the way, it won't be fresh when you get it.
- Dine-in Formula: If you're eating in, remember my formula: Pempek + Es Kacang Merah[8]! Trust me, you can't go wrong!
- What You Can Skip: The Tekwan or Model soup. I feel like the quality is a bit inconsistent these days; it's better to save your stomach space for the Pempek.
- Their **Pempek fish flavor** is epic! No floury filler, just pure, fresh mackerel goodness that's mind-blowing 💥
- The **Cuko vinegar sauce** is the soul! Perfectly balanced sweet, sour, spicy. One bite and you're hooked, it's seriously nagih (addictive)! [1]
- **Es Kacang Merah red bean ice** is only 15k IDR[2]! Soft, naturally sweet red beans. With Pempek? Genius pairing! Anjay! [3]
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