The story
Bika ambon is the signature cake of Medan in North Sumatra, even though Ambon is an island far to the east in Maluku. Its exact origins are unknown, and it is thought to descend from kue bingka, a cake from eastern Indonesia. The most common explanation is that it was first made and sold in quantity at a junction on Jalan Ambon, in Medan's Sei Kera area, so people named it after the street. Another story credits an Ambonese trader who brought a recipe to Medan. Made with tapioca flour, eggs, coconut milk and yeast, it bakes into a golden honeycomb. Dozens of shops on Jalan Mojopahit sell it.
Also known as kue bika ambon, bika ambon Medan, golden cake.
On the Meridish menu
Bika Ambon was the dessert course on menu No. 26 on October 26, 2026. Its clue in the game, which hints at the place without naming it:
A chewy, golden cake made with coconut milk and yeast, full of honeycomb-like holes. It's named after an island far to the east, but it's the pride of this big city.
In Meridish, every dish is pinned to the town or city most widely credited with creating it. A guess within 25 km scores all 100 points. How scoring works.
Sources
Food history is often disputed. Think we've pinned it in the wrong place? Tell us at hello@meridish.com, ideally with a source.
