When visiting an area, we will be attracted by the various natural beauties that certainly cannot be seen anywhere else. Not only that, the diverse culture makes tourists amazed by the diversity that exists in Indonesia.
In addition, visiting an area is also incomplete if you don’t buy souvenirs for people at home. Buying souvenirs seems to have become a tradition for Indonesian people who go on vacations.
Likewise, when visiting Lake Toba. Besides having a beautiful view, the second largest lake in the world also has various types of souvenirs that can be used as mementos to take home. What are the typical souvenirs of Lake Toba? Here’s a summary.
1. Samosir Coffee
When visiting Lake Toba and visiting Samosir Island, don’t forget to taste the coffee. Being in an area that is blessed with high soil sulfur due to the eruption of Mount Toba, coffee growth in Samosir is very developed. Taking advantage of this gift, the young people from the Sinergi Kopi Community here have started to develop coffee production with various brands.
2. Candlenut Oil
While on vacation to Lake Toba and visiting Samosir Island, don’t forget to buy candlenut oil in the Silimalombu Ecovillage Tourism Village area. The tourist village offers a sustainable concept with a variety of products from the plantation itself. One of them is hazelnut oil. We know that hazelnut oil has many benefits for health and beauty, so this product is suitable to be taken home as a souvenir.
3. Accessories
Just like in other destinations, you can also find a variety of cute knick-knacks ranging from bracelets, key chains, necklaces, and others to be souvenirs. The price, of course, varies according to your agreement with the seller. With a price of Rp. 5000, you can already buy antique bracelets there.
4. Gorga Batak
In some areas in Indonesia, it is known for the art of carving and sculpture. The same is the case with Lake Toba. You can buy Batak gorga or knick-knacks such as statues and wall decorations that use Batak carvings.
5. Ulos
Having a thick Batak culture, Lake Toba has a distinctive name called ulos. This fabric has several dominant colors such as black, red, and white. Interestingly, this ulos is made traditionally woven using a machine and combined with gold and silver threads. No wonder this ulos has a slightly higher price.
The market price of this woven ulos is around Rp. 2 million. However, there are also factory-produced ulos at a very affordable price, Rp. 45,000 per piece of cloth.
6. Naniura
Naniura is processed from carp that are ripened using sour oranges. The process of making this typical Tapanuli food is quite difficult. Even the Batak people can’t all cultivate it. Fortunately, we can taste Naniura at several hotels on Lake Toba as well as a number of Parapat restaurants that serve the Indonesian version of sashimi.
If in Tuktuk, you can order the food at Tabo Cottage or other inns with traditional restaurants. This Lake Toba cuisine can last up to a week. To be durable and not rotten, the best tip is to buy it when you want to go home on vacation. Each portion is priced at less than IDR 100,000. The taste is so delicious that Naniura is the most suitable souvenir on Lake Toba, especially for those who like to try traditional food from a region.
7. Sihobuk Beans
Sihobuk beans are a typical North Sumatran snack that already has many fans. Sihobuk is one of the most abundant peanut-producing areas. The savory taste is the mainstay of Sihobuk beans, so they must be purchased when visiting North Sumatra, especially Lake Toba.
8. Mango Sibandang
Mango is a seasonal fruit that thrives in Samosir, especially the Sibandang area. For information, Sibandang is a mango cultivation center that has been popular in Samosir society since hundreds of years ago. Unlike in general, the Sibandang mango has a very small shape. The taste is very sweet, and the color is orange, so beautiful. This mango is also a favorite of tourists who come to Balige.
9. Tipa-tipa
The next souvenir is a snack served with coffee or tea. Tipa-tipa is the same as rengginang. The tips are processed by separating the whole and unfilled rice, then soaking it in clean water for about two days. After the rice is soaked, the next step is to cook it on the stove by roasting it until brown. You can find these types at various gift centers.
Vacation is more than just the food, and it’s about making long-lasting memories. Discover more adventures in Lake Toba by visiting Wonderful Indonesia.
