TRADITIONAL MARKET

The big and lively market in Sabang town is a genuine attraction. Early in the morning villagers from the surrounding countryside take their products to the market.

You can buy everything from fresh fruits and vegetables and the catch of the day to other types of products and groceries. Most food-stuffs are organic and locally-produced.

The market is open from 6 am until 2 pm. Other shops in Sabang are generally open between 8 am and 12 pm and between 5 pm and 9 pm.

Morning is the best time for shopping when the market is at its busiest.

FRUIT MARKETS

Throughout the day and throughout the island fruit vendors will entice you with an amazing variety of delicious, healthy, local fruit.

FRUITS

Some of the fruits growing on the island include coconuts, bananas, kedondong (Tahitian apples) and salak (also known as snake fruits due to their reddish-brown scaly skin). These fruits are found all over the island.

HANDICRAFTS

Handicrafts are wonderful souvenirs of Pulau Weh, especially those made from coconut wood. There are plenty of coconut trees on the island and due to the beautiful texture of the wood it is often used to make furniture and other household items such as lamps, bowls, mugs, vases and ash trays.

DEKRANAS

Dewan Kerajinan Nasional (Dekranas), or the Sabang branch of the National Handicraft Board, is an institution that facilitates the handicraft activities in Indonesia.

In Pulau Weh, handicrafts are mainly made from coconut wood, but makers of all types of handicrafts are supported by this organization.

SABANG CAKE, BREAD, DODOL, & KERIPIK

This special cake from Sabang is sometimes called Bakpia Sabang. It is made from wheat flour and sweet green bean jam and is a popular souvenir to take back home.

In addition to cake, Sabang is also famous for its bread, dodol, a taffr made from sticky rice, coconut milk, and palm sugar, and “keripik” crisps made from fruits or vegetables. These tasty treats are also popular souvenirs.

FOOD & BEVERAGE

Tourists will enjoy trying some of culinary treats and traditional staples of the local diet. Breakfast is normally lontong, a warm bowl of sliced rice bars and vegetables in coconut milk with an egg or meat.

A lunchtime favorite is mie jalak (rice noodles) or goat soup. A perfect dinner would be squid satay. Freshly-caught fish and other types of seafood with rice also make a delicious lunch or dinner meal.

Aceh coffee, grown in the mountains in the center of the province, is amongst the richest and most flavorful in the world. Locals on Pulau Weh drink it with every meal, as well as Indonesian ice tea and local fruit drinks made from mangos, carrots, or avocados.

International food and drinks are also offered in restaurants catering for tourists who seek some comfort from back home.