A vast archipelago with over 17,000 islands, over 300 ethnic groups and more than 700 living languages, Indonesia’s cuisine is as diverse as it gets. Every region holds unique recipes specific to their cultures and traditions. Each have their own varieties of “bumbu”, a blend of spices and herbs, the cornerstone of Indonesian cuisine. For all the foodies out there, it would be a mammoth task to taste them all. But don’t you worry, we’ve rounded up seven of Indonesia’s most popular dishes. Try them, fall in love with them, but be careful, you might become addicted to their spicy kick.
- Beef Rendang
This beefy stew that originated from Minangkabau, West Sumatra, was voted by CNN readers as the world’s best food! And you’d have to taste it to know why. It’s rich, creamy and has an incredible depth of flavour. Traditionally, the meat is cooked for hours with coconut milk and a myriad of herbs and spices. The result is a ridiculously tender beef that will melt in your mouth along with an explosive burst of spices.
2. Soto Ayam
Soto Ayam is Indonesia’s answer to the classic chicken soup. Lemongrass, kaffir lime leaves and galangal are just some of its ingredients that give the clear chicken broth a rich yet refreshing taste, while its bright yellow colour comes from turmeric. It’s usually served with vermicelli noodles, boiled eggs, shallots and celery. Like most Indonesian dishes, it’s accompanied with a side of sambal (chili sauce) as condiment. This popular Indonesian chicken soup is hearty, nourishing, and simply delicious.
3. Nasi Goreng
If beef rendang is voted the world’s best food, then what is the second? You guessed it. It’s what many Indonesians consider their national dish, the ubiquitous nasi goreng. This dish simply translates to “fried rice”, and has many different variations. Generally, it’s served with eggs, freshly cut cucumbers and tomatoes, pickles, and of course, sambal as a condiment. It’s deceptively simple, with a sweet and savory taste that will please any palate (and wallet too!).
4. Ikan Bakar
Indonesia is a country that has more ocean than land, so let’s rejoice seafood lovers! Seafood is eaten in a myriad of different ways, but grilling it is the most popular. Ikan bakar can be found streetside, beachside and in restaurants. Fresh fish and other kinds of seafood are usually marinated first with a spice blend, shrimp paste or sweet soy sauce, and then charcoal-grilled. The marination varies across regions and places, but one thing is guaranteed – it’s finger-licking delicious.
5. Gado-Gado
Gado-gado is a classic Indonesian salad with a creamy and spicy (of course!) peanut dressing. Gado gado means medley, which refers to the mix of slightly blanched yet still crispy vegetables, boiled eggs, and fried tofu, all tossed with a delicious peanut dressing. It is hands down the most popular veggie dish in Indonesia, and can be found everywhere. It’s also our top recommendation for all the vegetarians and vegans out there!
6. Satay
Satay is extremely popular not just because it’s delicious but also because it’s convenient, you can find people eating it streetside all the time. To make satay, bite-size pieces of meat are marinated, skewered onto wooden sticks, and then charcoal-grilled to perfection. Traditionally, it’s served with a savoury peanut sauce, but as with most Indonesian dishes, variations exist across the different regions and cultures. Balinese satay lilit, for example, is usually minced meat wrapped around a lemongrass skewer. Fun fact: Satay is one of President Obama’s favorite childhood dishes from when he lived in Indonesia.
7. Martabak Manis ( Terang Bulan )
Last but not least is one of our favorite desserts, the sweet Martabak or Terang Bulan. Think pancake, but elevated. It’s a thick and juicy Indonesian version of a pancake, and a firm favorite amongst Indonesians of all cultures and generations. Every bite oozes with butter and a melted chocolate or cheese filling. It’s chewy, it’s sweet, it’s addictive. Martabak manis is a common streetfood usually sold only at night. We can think of no better dessert to end your day with.
