Gresik, eighteen kilometers to the western of Surabaya, is a city port and an important industrial zone containing cement and petrochemical plants, plywood, mills and a steel foundry. A favorite local dish is Pudak Gresik and the popular beverage is tuak palm wine. The local fish market is always crowded. The Gresik Harbor is located in the Bengawan Solo River delta.
Gresik was once an international harbor, visited by ships from as far as Persia. The ancient text, Negarakertagama, mentions Gresik as being an important harbor. Chinese chronicles of the 14th century describe the activities that take place in this harbor. In 1385, Gresik was a part of the Majapahit Kingdom, and many of Majapahit's court officials came from Gresik.
Tome Pires, a prominent 15th-century Portuguese chronicler, regarded Gresik as the most important harbor in Java. The houses of the members of the Indian community are found in Pakeling Village. In the past, this was a settlement of traders from India. Nowadays, Gresik is an assembly of diverse elements.