If you ever visit Bandar Lampung, don’t leave without trying their famous banana pie and frozen fried banana. At Yussy Akmal bakery on Sudirman Street, crowds line up every day to buy these treats as souvenirs for family and friends back home.
Rahayu, a regular customer from Jakarta, picked up three boxes of banana pie and an extra box of banana molen for her family.
“My family always requests these when I come to Lampung. They’re crunchy and soft at the same time, with just the right sweetness,” she said.
What Makes Lampung’s Banana Pie Unique?
Unlike regular pies, Lampung banana pie is made with flaky pastry filled with “pisang raja” banana slices and creamy custard. Flavors include chocolate, cheese, and almond raisin. Its special banana-shaped mold makes it extra charming.
Behind this popular pie is Yussy Asih Faurini, who launched it in 2010. Inspired by Japan’s Tokyo Banana Cake and seeing Lampung’s abundant banana harvests often sent away with no local signature product, she created something unique for her region.
“Other regions had banana molen or brownies, but they used our bananas. I wanted Lampung to have its own signature banana product,” said Yussy.
She finally found the perfect banana-shaped mold in Taiwan and started producing pies in her bakery kitchen. Today, hundreds of boxes are made daily to ensure freshness and quality.
Bringing Innovation to Tradition with Frozen Fried Banana
Another brilliant idea came from Mulyadi Al-Kahfi, founder of Shamiya frozen fried banana. Instead of selling banana fritters meant to be eaten immediately, he turned them into a convenient frozen snack.
“People love fried bananas, but they don’t last. Frozen fried bananas are practical – you can fry them anytime at home,” Mulyadi explained.
His production uses pisang kepok and pisang tanduk bananas. The process: peel, wash, coat in seasoned batter, fry 70% done, cool, pack, and freeze. With attractive packaging and smart social media promotions, Shamiya frozen fried bananas have become a top souvenir choice.
Each month, Mulyadi’s business processes around 8 tons of raw bananas into 15,000 packs ready for sale.
Why Souvenirs Matter for Indonesian Tourism
According to Rahmattullah Harianja, a tourism lecturer at Institut Teknologi Sumatera, souvenirs are essential for tourists because they:
- Capture unique experiences
- Provide memorable tastes
- Offer something special to take home
Minister of Tourism Sandiaga Uno recently posted on Instagram celebrating Indonesian fried bananas as the world’s best dessert according to tasteatlas.com, ranking above churros and donuts. This global spotlight is a golden opportunity for local businesses to shine.
Innovation Keeps Local Food Traditions Alive
While banana chips remain a classic Lampung souvenir, innovations like banana pies and frozen fried bananas keep tourists excited. Yussy is also researching banana flour products with local universities to create new banana-based foods.
Meanwhile, the city government is developing UMKM (Micro, Small, Medium Enterprises) centers and planning city tours to include visits to local food producers. This strategy not only boosts the local economy but also promotes Lampung’s culinary heritage to the world.
Whether you’re craving a crunchy banana pie or a practical frozen fried banana to fry at home, Lampung’s banana-based creations prove that tradition and innovation can go hand in hand, creating treats loved by locals and travelers from around the globe.
