The story
Pempek comes from Palembang in South Sumatra, a city spread along the broad Musi River. Legend says that around the 16th century an elderly Chinese man living by the river saw fishermen landing more fish than they could sell before it spoiled. He mixed the fish with tapioca and spices and sold the cakes from a cart. Locals called him 'apek', a word for an old man, and the snack is said to have taken its name from him. A steamed sago-and-fish ancestor called kelesan may go back to the Srivijaya era. Served with sweet-sour cuko sauce, pempek is now eaten all over Indonesia.
Rival claims
The legend dates it to the 16th century, and a sago-based ancestor may be much older, but the city is undisputed.
Also known as empek-empek, mpek-mpek, pempek Palembang.
On the Meridish menu
Pempek was the starter course on menu No. 14 on October 14, 2026. Its clue in the game, which hints at the place without naming it:
Chewy fishcakes of fish and tapioca, fried and dunked in a sweet-sour palm-sugar vinegar. Legend says an old Chinese street seller by this city's great river first made them.
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.
