Culinary Travel: Floating Breakfast in Banjarmasin

On 7 November 2013, we have got an important assignment to represent one of the largest banks in Indonesia to defend its interest before a local court in South Kalimantan. In this occassion we take a chance to visit some local culinary attractions in Banjarmasin. Banjarmasin is the capital city of South Kalimantan. It takes about 1 hour 15 minutes flight from Jakarta. We were told that one of the most famous attractions is floating market. However, since the floating markets usually start early morning and last before the noon. So we decide to stay one night at Banjarmasin.Since we have not plenty of time, our driver suggests to visit floating market in Muara Kuin. There are actually 2 (two) most famous floating markets, one in Muara Kuin (this is the closest to the city) and the other located at  Lok Baintan. He suggests that we have to start early in the morning.

So exactly at 4am the next day (8-11-2013), our driver picked us at the hotel and directly went to Muara Kuin. It takes about 20 minutes from our hotel to the jetty. Upon arrival, we have to wait for half an hour for him to contact the boat owner.Finally, we sail away along the river. After sailing for 10 minutes, we saw few small boats seling various products such as banana, veggetables etc.

The transactions take place at boat itself !

This lady sells fruits.

As the dawn was breaking, we feel a bit hungry. The boat driver suggested that we should try floating breakfast. Yes, a boat selling breakfast stuffs.This boat called itself as "Warung Tatamba Lapar" and selling Soto Banjar, Sate Ayam (Chicken Satay), Rawon, Nasi Kuning (Yellow Rice) and Masak Habang.

This the inside part of the floating restaurant. The customers can sit inside the boat. 

Otherwise, customers may order from their own boat. The waiter will serve you. 

We order hot tea. Really nice in the midst of cool air.

And Soto Banjar, the most famous dish in Banjarmasin. Soto Banjar is the traditional dish. It is basically a chicken soup which made of some herbs and spices such as cinnamon and cloves. The content consists of vermicelli rice, ketupat, shreded chicken, boiled egg and sometimes they add potato. 

This is it !!

If you like additional spices, you can put sambal, ketchup (both sweat and salty ketchup) and sprout. They provide for free. 

The ketchup itself has "Soto" brand !

If you travel to Banjarmasin don't forget to visit the floating market and enjoy Soto Banjar.