Experience in Surabaya, Indonesia by Gerry

What is it like to live in Surabaya? Would you recommend it? What is the city like?

Surabaya is the biggest second city in Indonesia, after Jakarta. Surabaya is really well known of its history. The city itself has a nickname as the city of heroes due to the long history in the colonialism era. Compared to Jakarta or any other big cities, Surabaya is more laid back. Surabaya is more known as the trading city.

What is the student lifestyle like in Surabaya?

Surabaya might be not the number one student city in Indonesia. There are some big and great universities in this city. The students more likely hanging out in the mall after the class or the hip coffee shop. During the weekends they usually gathering at new restaurants or coffeeshops.

How much does it cost to live in Surabaya?

Livin cost in Surabaya is relatively cheap compared to other big cities such as Jakarta. You could find a meal only for IDR 14.000 (or equal with USD 1) at the traditional depot. For hangout in the hip places you might be need to throw IDR 100.000 up per person.

Is it difficult to find accommodation in Surabaya? Is there any advice you can give?

There are a lot new budget hotels in the city. For a long stay you could rent a boarding house that called kos here. The rent prices are varied depends on the facilities. For a decent boarding house with AC and also wi-fi normally it cost around IDR 1.200.000 per month. You could also rent apartment here. Starting from IDR 2.000.000 per month

What is the food like? What are your favourite dishes?

Surabaya is very well-known for the traditional street foods. The character of the foods here are usually spicy. Sego Sambal is very famous here. It's rice, chicken/duck/tempe/tofu/fish/anything you want, plus traditional sambal (it's a very hot sauce made from tomato, chilly and also something called terasi).
We also famous for the fried ducks (totally different with Chinese ducks), rawon (soup with black brooth), nasi pecel (mixed vegetables with peanut sauce with rice) and many more.

What places would you recommend visiting in Surabaya?

House of Sampoerna is a touristic place in Surabaya. It's a museum of the biggest cigarette company in East Java. You could also go to Hotel Majapahit. One of the ancient hotel in Surabaya with beautiful colonial architecture.

Is it good to eat out in Surabaya? Can you tell us your favourite spots?

There are a lot of new modern restaurants in Surabaya. They served fusion and western foods. There are also a lot of new coffeeshops in Surabaya and also Lounge. Domicile Kitchen, Buro, Spazio area are the new hip places in Surabaya.

Surabaya also known as the traditional foods. The famous one is Nasi Udang Bu Rudi.

Is the nightlife good in Surabaya? Where is good to go?

The nightlife in Surabaya isn't as hip as in Jakarta or Bali. You could have your drink and chilling at Rui or Buro. Both of them are lounge. It's been a long time I haven't hit the club in Surabaya, because the party scene is quite boring here.

What advice would you give future students heading to Surabaya?

The weather is really hot and humid in Surabaya, and also it's quite difficult to find a proper public transport here. I suggest you to rent a motor bike while you're in the city.