RRI.CO.ID, Banda Aceh - Lemang bambu is a traditional Acehnese dish that becomes especially popular during Ramadan. It is prepared by grilling sticky rice mixed with coconut milk inside bamboo stalks.

"Compared to regular days, there is a higher demand for lemang during the first few days of Ramadan. Lemang is usually served as takjil (break-the-fast snack)," said Hafsah, a lemang maker in Banda Aceh last weekend, as quoted by Antara.

Hafsah has been making lemang bambu since 2000. The lady, who is in her 70s, runs a lemang stall on Syiah Kuala St., Lamdingin, Kuta Alam Subdistrict, Banda Aceh City.

According to Hafsah, the rise in demand is reflected in the output of lemang. On normal days, she produces lemang using 15 kilograms of sticky rice per day. However, during Ramadan in 2026, she will use 75 kg of sticky rice each day to make lemang.

"We sold out practically every day at the beginning of Ramadan," said Hafsah .

According to hafsah, there are three varieties of lemang that she produce: sweet potato lemang, white sticky rice lemang, and black sticky rice lemang. Thank God, we've sold out in the first few days of Ramadan."

One kilogram of sticky rice can produce three to four bamboo lemang stalks, each less than one meter in length. The exact number also depends on the size and diameter of the bamboo used.

Hafsah explained that the lemang is sold either per piece or by the stick. Individual pieces are priced between IDR 5,000 and IDR 25,000., while a stick ranges from IDR 30,000 to IDR 100,000.

"The price remains the same both Ramadan and regular weekdays. We do not raise prices, even though demand increases during Ramadan. Most of our customers come from Banda Aceh and the surrounding areas," said Hasfah.

During Ramadan, her lemang business employs six people to meet the increased demand. On regular weekdays, it only employs two to five people. Some of them are assigned with grilling lemang, a process that takes up to four hours.

"We get our bamboo from Pidie Regency. Supplies are delivered twice a month, and each bamboo stalk measures five to six meters in length," said Hafsah.

From Aceh to Lampung, lemang is a culinary treat well-known throughout the island of Sumatra. In Aceh, it is called leumang bambu (bamboo leumang); in North Sumatra, lemang durian (durian lemang); in West Sumatra, lemang tapai, where it is eaten with black sticky rice tapai; and in Bengkulu, also lemang tapai. ***