CUMI HITAM : Famous food in East Java

- November 23, 2025

By : Veren Kasslim

Introduction

Indonesia is often called the " Land of Spices', as it is one of the world's largest producers of spices. Many Indonesian dishes often have a savory and spicy flavor. Such as the famous dish from East Java, Madura " Cumi Hitam " A combination of spicy and savory flavors, this dish's unique cause the black color comes from its main ingredient.

Many Tourist love this dish, although some are hesitant to eat it because of its black color and fishy from this dish. However, if cooked properly the fishy taste of the squid ink will disappears, and the meat isn't tough.

History

The history of black squid is deeply rooted in the culinary traditions of coastal Indonesia, particularly on the island of Madura. Initially, black squid emerged from fishermen's creativity in processing squid to prevent it from spoiling quickly, using black ink as a natural preservative and flavor enhancer. Over time, this dish became popular in various coastal areas of Indonesia, known by various names, such as blekutak on the north coast of Java, and varies in seasoning and preparation methods. Its exact history is difficult to pinpoint, but it is believed to have existed for a long time as part of local cuisine, with variations in recipes and names across regions, such as Madura's black squid or Manado's woku tinta squid

What Makes It Special

Cumi Hitam special not just because the color, but the benefit when eat ir :

Distinctive Deep Black Color: Squid ink contains melanin, the same natural pigment that gives human skin and hair its color, which gives the dish its unique deep black color.
Unique Savory and Umami Flavor: The ink not only acts as a colorant, but also adds a rich, slightly salty, and umami (savory) flavor typical of the sea to dishes, enriching the overall flavor profile without the need for added MSG.
Health Benefits: Squid ink contains a variety of beneficial nutrients such as antioxidants, proteins, and minerals (like iron) that have been linked to potential anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, and even anticancer properties.

Cumi Hitam In Daily Life

Black squid isn't a bad food, as its color suggests, but it's actually quite popular nowadays. Besides its unique color, black squid also offers health benefits, making it safe to consume. Initially popular in East Java, it has gradually become a sought-after dish among tourists. Now, black squid can be found in several restaurants, and it's easy to make, making it a popular dish to try at home.

The black color comes from the squid's own ink. When cleaning squid, you simply remove the bones and teeth, leaving behind the ink and squid meat. During cooking, the ink will naturally drain out of the squid without needing to be removed from the pouch.

Variations of Cumi Hitam

Madura Spicy Black Squid

This is the most classic and widely recognized variation. Its distinctive feature is the bold use of spices, including shallots, garlic, cayenne pepper, ginger, and galangal, which are sautéed until fragrant. The flavor is predominantly spicy and savory, and it's often served as a side dish with warm rice.

2. Black Squid with Green Chilies

This variation adds large slices of green chilies for added aroma and a refreshing, spicy kick. While still using squid ink as the main ingredient, the final dish features an attractive green hue from the chilies used.

3. Black Squid with Ground Spices

Some recipes emphasize the use of finely ground spices, sometimes with the addition of turmeric or shrimp paste, to ensure the spices penetrate deeper into the squid. The traditional grinding process is believed to maximize the release of essential oils from the spices.

Where to Find the Best Cumi Hitam

Nasi Cumi Hitam Kangen Masakan Rumah di Jagakarsa, Jakarta (Jalan Kavling Balai Rakyat Nomor 126);
Cumi Hitam Sultan (Tanah Abang 1);
Gentong Mas, SCBD

My Personal Opinion

I once tried black squid at Gentong Mas SCBD. Initially, the famous food there was the tongue, but when I tried black squid for the first time there, it was so delicious. So it gave me the idea to create a food blog about this black squid. The sweet, spicy, and savory taste of the squid makes me want to go back there again. There is no fishy smell at all, the combination of black squid and hot rice is perfect to eat on an empty stomach. The contents of the squid are also abundant and the seasoning is also just right, although after eating it, your teeth and tongue will be black.

At first, I thought it would be strange and fishy, because, as we know, squid ink, which is usually discarded due to its unpleasant odor, has instead been turned into a fairly popular dish. You might be familiar with crab restaurants where the black squid is consumed by Indonesian celebrities and Instagram celebrities.

FUN FACT

Safe and Nutritious: Squid ink is perfectly safe to eat and is even rich in essential nutrients such as iron, copper, iodine, amino acids, and antioxidants, especially melanin.
Rich in Antioxidants: The melanin content in squid ink has strong antioxidant properties, which can help fight free radicals and support the immune system.
Versatile Natural Dye: This ink is widely used in culinary arts around the world, especially in the Mediterranean and Asia, to color and flavor pasta, rice (such as squid ink fried rice in Indonesia, or chipirones en su tinta in Spain), bread, and sauces.