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Brunei cuisine shares many similarities with the neighbouring
Malaysian states of Sabah and Sarawak, due to their shared heritage as
part of Borneo. Brunei itself doesn't have a distinct food identity, and
many of the dishes served in Bandar Seri Begawan can also be found in
Malaysia and Thailand. Food in Bandar Seri Begawan can be
found in small cafes, mid-range restaurants and fine dining
establishments. There aren't many roadside stalls, but most street food is safe to eat, though tap water should always be boiled before consumption.
1. Caramelised Pineapple Cake
The Caramelised Pineapple Cake
consists of pineapples, grown locally in Bandar Seri Begawan, layered
between a vanilla sponge cake. I love the sweetness and sharpness of
this tropical cake!
2. Katilapam
Katilapam is a
traditional steamed savoury snack unique to Bandar Seri Begawan.
Alternative versions in Brunei are often treated with food colouring to
make it more attractive. This is a favourite among local labourers. I
didn't quite like it because it's so filling, you can barely eat
anything else!
3. Kerabu Udang And Mangga
An example of the fusion of Western and Asian influences, Kerabu Udang And Mangga
- or Shrimp And Mango Salad - is a fresh tropical salad often eaten as
an appetizer. It's made with de-shelled prawns, mango, cucumber, onions,
lettuce and chili. Often, there is a simple sweet syrup that
accompanies the dish.
4. Kuih Calak Beef
Kuih Calak Beef is
a traditional Borneo Malay savoury pastry, consisting mainly of egg,
coconut milk, minced beef, and haricot beans. Kuih Calak Beef is a
popular snack eaten in Bandar Seri Begawan. It's easily found in most
street side stalls, and I like this for its savoury taste with a spicy kick!
5. Kuih Cara Pusu
Kuih Cara Pusu is another traditional Borneo Malay
savoury pastry, often eaten as a snack. It has a spongy texture. This is
often made at home by locals, and rarely sold in the streets.
6. Kuih Cincin
Kuih Cincin, which means Ring Cakes, is a deep-fried
Brunei / Bandar Seri Begawan snack made with red palm extract. Easily
the most popular snack here, and the tastiest - I couldn't stop eating
them. So good!
7. Mee Goreng (Brunei Style!)
Brunei's Mee Goreng is very different from ours in
terms of ingredients. Additionally, the use of soy sauce is more liberal
here, resulting in a more savoury dish, and there is typically less
garnishing than the Malaysian and Singaporean versions.
8. Nasi Goreng Istimewa
Nasi Goreng Istimewa, or Special Fried Rice, was
probably the most common dish I ate here, and nearly every other street
stall sells it! The taste varies greatly, because each stall uses their
own family receipes.
Indonesian Food: 50 of the Best Dishes You Should Eat
Why is Indonesian food so delicious?
As I was about to dig into a plate of Nasi Padang, a nice man sitting at the table next to me said: “It’s because Indonesian food is based on fresh spices and herbs.”
And when you and I look at the list of food below, and notice the
fresh herbs and multitude of spices used in Indonesian cooking, it truly
is a huge contributing factor as to why Indonesian cuisine is
so flavorful and exciting to eat.
In this blog post I’m going to share with you 50 incredibly
delicious Indonesian foods. Get ready for a serious Indonesian culinary
journey!
Related: For information on where I stayed and Jakarta travel tips check out this guide.
Indonesian Food: 50 Dishes
Before we get started, I just want to make it clear that this is not
an exhaustive or complete list of food in Indonesia (there are thousands
of Indonesian dishes), but it’s a definite start to discovering the
incredible cuisine of Indonesia. Some of the foods I included, such as
durian and petai, are simply because I love them so much.
For each of the dishes listed in this Indonesian food guide I’ve
included the dish, and if possible, the restaurant where I ate it in
Jakarta (you may also be interested in my Jakarta travel guide).
Food is the reason you should travel!
Before we get started, I would like to invite you to receive my
exclusive food and travel updates by e-mail. Enter your name and e-mail
below, and click Subscribe!
This list is not in any particular order.
1. Sate Ayam / Sate Kambing (satay)
I’ve had a lot of different types of sate (or satay) in Southeast
Asia, but there’s nothing that compares to real Indonesian sate; In my
opinion you’ll find some of the absolute best sate in Asia within
Indonesia. in Indonesia you’ll find many different types and varieties
of sate, but two of the common versions in Jakarta at sate ayam (chicken
sate) and sate kambing (goat sate).
One of the common recipes includes the meat marinated in sweet kecap
manis soy sauce, before being skewered. I think is the main reason why
Indonesian sate is so good, is because the skewers of meat are typically
grilled on an extremely hot charcoal fire, so the meat cooks quickly,
while leaving it smoky and juicy. Where: Sate H. Romli in south Jakarta serves
delicious sate ayam and sate kambing. Address: Jalan Kyai Maja No.21,
Melawai, Kby. Baru, Kota Jakarta Selatan, Daerah Khusus Ibukota Jakarta;
Open hours: 10 am – 12 midnight daily; Prices: I paid 67,000 IDR
($4.99) for 2 plates of sate.
2. Sate Padang (Padang satay)
Sate Padang is such a unique (and delicious) type of Indonesian sate
that I had to include it in this food guide as its own. Originally from
Padang, a food lovers province on the west coast of Sumatra, Sate Padang
seems to have a cult following among food lovers – and after I had my
first plate, I completely understand why.
The skewers of meat, which often include beef pieces, beef tongue,
and offal, are first marinated in a mixture of spices, then grilled over
hot flaming charcoal, and finally they are often served over sliced up
compressed rice cake, called ketupat,
and then covered in a thick brown colored sauce, and sprinkled with
crispy shallots. The result of Sate Padang is not the prettiest dish
you’ll ever see, but the taste is incredible. Where: Ajo Ramon Sate Padang is one of the most well
known names in Jakarta when it comes to Sate Padang lovers, and I
couldn’t believe how good it was. Address: Pasar Santa Jalan Cipaku 1
Jakarta; Open hours: 5 pm – 10 pm daily; Price: 25,000 IDR for a plate
of sate and rice cakes.
3. Ayam Bakar Taliwang (grilled chicken)
Have you ever eaten three chickens by yourself in one meal? When you
eat ayam bakar Taliwang, not only are the grilled chickens so good you
might be able to eat three of them by yourself, but they are also very
small because they either free range chickens or sometimes spring
chickens.
This type of grilled chicken originates from the island of Lombok,
and it’s popular with spicy grilled chicken lovers throughout Indonesia.
When I saw the amount of chilies caked onto my ayam bakar Taliwang, I
knew I was in for a life-changing grilled chicken experience, and it was
true.
The chicken itself was so flavorful, and not too tender, but with
just enough texture so that with every bite it kept releasing more
chicken juices, kind of like that crazily juicy chicken I ate in Osaka.
But along with just being a flavorful chicken from the start, it was
beautifully spicy. Ayam Bakar Taliwang is one of the dishes you don’t
want to miss if you love spicy food. Where: In Jakarta, you can try Ayam Taliwang Rinjani,
I thought it was amazing, especially the super extra pedas chicken.
Address: Jalan Pesanggrahan Raya No. 50, Puri Indah, Jakarta; Open
hours: 10 am – 10 pm daily; Prices: We had 3 chickens and a few side
dishes for 165,000 IDR ($12.39).
4. Ikan Bakar (grilled fish)
Even after eating ikan bakar, Indonesian grilled fish, dozens of
times, I still can’t get over how good it is. Grilled fish is one of my
favorite things to eat around the world, but I especially love it in
Indonesia. Just like many of the grilled foods in Indonesian cuisine,
what I like about ikan bakar is that it’s grilled over a very hot
charcoal fire and grilled quickly, giving it a really incredible flame
roasted fire flavor.
There are many different types of ikan bakar, but typically the fish
is butterfly cut so it lays flat, then it’s rubbed in a sambal sauce
marinade, and then finally it’s grilled. Ikan bakar is then served with
either kecap manis or a variety of different sambal chili sauces and
rice. Where: You’ll find ikan bakar at many roadside
restaurants and seafood restaurants. A local seafood restaurant I tried
was Gebang Seafood 49 Restaurant. Address: Jalan Hidup Baru, Jakarta;
Open hours: 5 pm – around midnight daily; Price: My wife and I had 2
fish and other seafood dishes for 180,000 IDR ($13.77). Watch the video here.
5. Pepes (herbal packet)
Pepes is very similar to Thai aeb,
but it’s the Indonesian version of an assortment of fish, meat or tofu,
mixed with lots of healthy herbs and spices, wrapped in a banana leaf
package, and either steamed or grilled.
Originally a Sundanese food from the Western part of Java, some of
the most common versions of pepes include chicken, different types of
fish, tofu, or mushrooms, mixed with shallots, garlic, chilies,
turmeric, candlenut,
and lemon basil. What I love so much is that the ingredients, since
they are all wrapped in a banana leaf and cooked, all mesh together
really well, but also the banana leaf gives an extra green essence to
whatever is cooked inside. Where: I had this pepes at a restaurant in Bogor, but you’ll find it available at most Sundanese restaurants.
6. Babi Pangang (Batak grilled pork)
On a spur of the moment decision, my wife and I decided to eat at a restaurant in Jakarta that served Batak food, from the Lake Toba
region of Sumatra. One of the traditional Batak dishes, is something
called babi pangang (sometimes babi panggang), which is a type of
grilled or roasted pork.
From my understanding, babi pangang can refer to grilled pork
many different ways, but the version I had was nice and salty, and had
the most incredible grill fire roasted flavor of just about any grilled
pork I’ve ever had. And additionally, the pork itself was incredibly
well marbled, not too fatty, but with a great ratio so it was still
juicy and succulent. Where: Lapo Ni Tondongta is a famous Batak
restaurant in Jakarta, and the grilled pork was amazing. Address: Jalan
Gelora Los A1, Senayan, Jakarta; Open hours: 10 am – 10 pm daily;
Prices: I paid 88,000 IDR ($6.62) for a meal for 2 of us.
7. Ayam Goreng (fried chicken)
Is there any country in the world where fried chicken is not enjoyed?
I haven’t found one yet, and in Indonesia, due to both the
deliciousness of the actual chicken (more about this below), and because
fried chicken, which is known in Bahasa Indonesia as ayam goreng, is
always served with sambal chili sauce to dip it in. Ayam kampung,
or village chickens, are the free range country style chickens popular
in Indonesia, and often used in the making of local style Indonesian
fried chicken. The chickens, while small, definitely make up for their
size with their flavor. Unlike big fat chickens that can sometimes be
too tender and artificially juicy, ayam kampung are the types of
chickens that have a slight rubber texture to them, but with every chew
comes more and more chicken country flavor – and I loved them.
For many types of Indonesian fried chicken, the chicken is not
heavily breaded or battered, but it’s marinated in lots of pureed garlic
and shallots, lightly battered, and deep fried to a serious golden
crispiness. What I love about Indonesian fried chicken is that all that
flavor gets embedded into the chicken instead of the batter. Here’s a
great recipe if you want to make Indonesian fried chicken. Where: You’ll find ayam goreng all over Jakarta but
the version pictured is from Nasi Uduk Zainal Fanani. Address: Jalan
Kebon Kacang 8 No. 5, Daerah Khusus Ibukota Jakarta; Open hours: 10 am –
12 am midnight daily; Prices: 75,000 IDR ($5.74) for 2; Watch the video here.
8. Bebek Goreng (fried duck)
Just like the small flavorful fried chickens in Indonesian food,
bebek goreng, which is deep fried duck, is not that much different,
apart from being duck. They are often very small, but you wouldn’t trade
the flavor of the small country ducks for a fat one.
I will admit that the bebek goreng I ate in Jakarta was pretty
intensely greasy and salty, but it would be a lie for me to say that I
didn’t thoroughly enjoy every single bite all the way down to the bone.
The duck was deep fried until crispy, even all the way through the skin
to the meat some of it was crispy. Served with rice, an assortment of
raw herbs like lemon basil (maybe to cut the grease), and not forgetting
the sambal chili sauce, Indonesian bebek goreng is a true treat of a
meal. Where: Bebek Goreng H. Slamet is a legendary
restaurant in Jakarta for deep fried duck, it’s greasy but delicious.
There are a number of locations around Jakarta; Prices: 28,000 IDR
($2.11) per set per set.
9. Pecel Lele (fried catfish)
Deep fried catfish, known as pecel lele, is a very famous and common
Indonesian street food, often served at street side restaurants and
local food tents known as warungs. In Jakarta, mostly at night, if you
drive around the streets you’ll see countless food stalls showcasing
catfish on their banner menus.
The catfish are prepared pretty simple, just salted and sometimes
rubbed with some coriander and turmeric, and then deep fried until
extra crispy all the way through. The catfish I ate in Indonesia were
pretty small, about the size of a sausage, so when they were deep fried
they almost turned chip-like, fried solidly.
Once again, the secret of the flavor when eating pecel lele lies
within the sambal that it’s always served with. You take a piece of
crispy catfish, mix it with your rice, add on some sambal, and that’s a
recipe for a delicious bite. Where: Permata Mubarok 1 is a little far from
central Jakarta, but a nice street food tend. Address: Komplek Permata
Buana, Jalan Puri Kembangan, Puri Indah, Jakarta; Open hours: 5 pm – 10
pm daily; Prices: 125,000 IDR ($9.41) for 4 people.
10. Ikan Goreng (deep fried fish)
Along with ikan bakar (Indonesian grilled fish), ikan goreng or deep
fried fish, is another common way to prepare different types of fish and
seafood. There are probably hundreds of different types of fish that
can be used to make ikan goreng, but one fried fish delicacy
of Sundanese cuisine is fried freshwater gourami.
The fish are sometimes cut in a way that exposes more of the skin to
the oil, and then deep fried so the skin and outer layers of the fish
are completely crispy.
If you love fish, fried fish in Indonesia, eaten along with rice and
sambal, makes an absolutely delicious meal, or accompaniment to a full
seafood meal. Where: I had an amazing seafood meal at Seafood 212
Wiro Sableng. Address: Jalan Boulevard Raya Blok QA III No. 2, Kelapa
Gading, Jakarta; Open hours: 11 am – 11 pm daily.
11. Soto Betawi (Jakarta soup)
Jakarta is the biggest city in Indonesia, and people who live in
Jakarta come from the furthest regions and islands of the country. The
food directly reflects this, and walking down the street you’ll find a
restaurant serving Padang food, Manado food, snacks from Eastern Java,
and the list goes on and on.
But if there’s one dish that’s one of the most famous dishes, known
for being homegrown right in Jakarta, it’s soto Betawi, literally
meaning, Jakarta soup. Soto in Indonesia is a type of soup, and every
region of Indonesia has their own version, and Betawi are the people of Batavia, the Dutch colonial name for Jakarta.
Soto Betawi is usually prepared with beef,
which is boiled with aromatic herbs like lemongrass and Indonesian bay
leaves, and flavored with candlenut, galangal, garlic, and shallots, and
finally often a combination of both fresh cow milk and coconut milk are
added to make the soup creamy. The soup is usually served in a bowl,
topped with some crispy fried shallots, and eaten with a plate of rice,
and some Indonesian pickles (known as acar). Eating Soto Betawi when I
was in Jakarta was one of the culinary highlights for me. It’s truly an
incredible dish that you can’t miss. Where: One of the best places in Jakarta to eat soto Betawi is Soto Betawi Haji Husein.
Address: Jalan Padang Panjang No. 6C, Kel. Pasar Manggis, Jakarta; Open
hours: 7 am – 2 pm from Saturday – Thursday (closed on Friday); Prices:
110,000 IDR ($8.34) for 4 bowls of soto and rice. Watch the video here.
12. Sop Kaki Kambing (goat leg soup)
With a similar flavor profile to Soto Betawi, but a bit more of an
adventurous dish, sop kaki kambing is an Indonesian dish for meat
lovers, and particularly for goat lovers. Walking into a warung that
serves sop kaki kambing, it reminded me a lot of walking into a
restaurant in Kenya or Tanzania that serves nyama choma.
There were a couple fresh skinned goats hanging from a rafter of the
tent, and little by little, the meat was sliced up, cooked, and then
displayed at the front of the restaurant.
When you eat sop kaki kambing, you first have a chance to choose
whatever parts of the goat you want to eat, which are already
pre-cooked. I was hanging out with Ken from Cowokrakus,
and we chose some goat feet, eye sockets, and goat brain. All the
different goat ingredients were added to a bowl, then covered a lightly
creamy and buttery soup. Where: Sudi Mampir Restaurant; Address: Jalan Biak
Jakarta; Open hours: Around 5 pm – Midnight daily; Prices: We paid
208,000 IDR ($15.52) for two bowls of lots of organs soup and sate.
13. Sop Buntut (oxtail soup)
Another popular Indonesian soup is sop buntut, which is oxtail soup.
I’ve been a huge lover of oxtail dishes ever since growing up and
visiting relatives in Hawaii, when I’d enjoy Chinese style oxtail stew
and soup. The meat around the tail has to be some of the most tender and
flavorful.
As opposed to the other two soups mentioned above that were of the
creamy variety, sop buntut is often a clear soup, the oxtail simmered in
broth with carrots and potatoes, and with a salty and lightly peppery
broth with a hint of nutmeg and cinnamon to remove any gamey taste. Just
like other Indonesian soups, you eat sop buntut accompanied by a plate
of rice and condiment it with fresh chopped chilies and kecap manis
(Indonesian sweet soy sauce). Where: Sop Buntut Cut Meutia is a nice little local
restaurant just down the road from Cut Meutia Mosque in
Jakarta; Address: Jalan Menteng Kecil No. 4/5, Menteng, Jakarta; Open
hours: 9 am – 4 pm daily; Prices: 40,000 IDR for a bowl.
14. Bakso (Indonesian meatballs)
One of the most widely available street food dishes (and in restaurants as well) and loved by nearly everyone, including President Barack Obama who grew up for some time in Jakarta, is bakso (or also known as baso), Indonesian meatballs.
There are two main versions of bakso available, one is the Chinese
style and the other is the more local Indonesian style – both are
delicious. The recipe for bakso
typically includes minced meat mixed with some tapioca starch – and it
is the tapioca starch which gives the meatballs their serious bouncy and
addictive texture.
You can typically choose your choice of noodles, from thin white rice
noodles, and yellow egg noodles (I’m a fan of egg noodles), and the
bakso are then either served with the noodles and soup, or dry with soup
on the side. This is a non spicy Indonesian dish, but there are always
chilies and seasonings for you to add to your own bowl. Where: Bakso Akiaw 99 is a popular Chinese style
bakso restaurant in Jakarta. Address: Jalan Mangga Besar Raya No. 2B,
Kec. Tamansari, Jakarta; Open hours: About 4 pm – 11 pm daily; Prices: I
paid 93,000 IDR ($7.07) for a few bowls of meatballs and noodles. Watch the video here.
15. Sayur Asem (sour soup)
Sayur asem is a sour tamarind soup that reminded me a lot of Filipino sinigang or a number of southern Thai sour soups,
because it was very sour from tamarind. Known as a Sundanese and Betawi
dish in Western Java, sayur asem is a sour tamarind soup, sometimes
prepared with meat stock or fish stock, that can include a mixture of
different vegetables like corn, chayote, and water morning glory.
Living and eating in Thailand, I’m a huge lover of sour soups, and
when I had my first spoonful of sayur asem, I immediately knew it was my
kind of the dish. It’s one of those sour soups that makes you almost
squint when you sip it because it’s so sour. Where: Warung Mak Dower serves fantastic Betawi
dishes in Jakarta. Address: Jl. Pemuda No. 72, Rawamangun, Jakarta; Open
hours: 9 am – 9 pm daily; Prices: 140,800 IDR for a full spread of
dishes.
16. Coto Makassar (Makassar soup)
Another version of soto, which is many types of soup, but in Makassar
they call it coto (pronounced choto), is a dark beef soup or stew
originally from the foodie city Makassar in southern Sulawesi.
For coto Makassar, beef as well as all the organs of the cow, are the dominant ingredients. The
bowl of coto Makassar that I had in Jakarta was very beefy tasting, and
included intestines, tripe, lungs (I think), and a few cubes of meat,
all within a murky dark roasted peanut based soup. It had a nutty and
sour taste to it. What I enjoyed about my bowl of coto Makassar was that
it came completely unsalted, and so I added in my own salt, plus a
squeeze of lime, and some incredible sambal. Additionally, it’s common
to eat coto Makassar along with ketupat rice cakes. Where: In Jakarta, I had a bowl at Coto Makassar
Senen; Address: Jalan Kramat Raya, Senen, Jakarta; Open hours: 1 pm – 8
pm daily; Prices: 25,000 IDR ($1.89 USD) per bowl of coto. Watch the video here.
17. Sop Konro (beef ribs soup)
I ate a lot of unbelievably delicious food when I was in Jakarta, and
there are so many amazing restaurants, but eating sop konro for the
first time was one of those dishes that just blew me away – the
combination of fall apart tender cooked meat along with fresh herbs and
sambal, it was breathtaking.
Again, famously known in Indonesia as a Makassar dish from southern
Sulawesi, sop konro are beef ribs which are simmered in a variety of
fragrant spices includes coriander, galangal, lemongrass, cinnamon,
nutmeg, and bay leaves. When you eat sop konro, the meat will literally
just slide off the rib bones. Where: Sop Konro Karebosi is a restaurant located in
the Kelapa Gading are of Jakarta, that serves outstanding sop konro.
They also serve konro bakar, grilled beef ribs, which were equally as
stunning. Address: Jalan Boulevard Raya TA 2 No.38, Kelapa Gading,
Jakarta; Open hours: 10 am – 10 pm daily. Watch the video here.
18. Nasi Goreng (fried rice)
If you read any Indonesian food guide or guidebook, likely one of the
most famous foods they will mention is Indonesian fried rice, known
better as nasi goreng. Although just wok fried rice with a host
of salty seasonings, this simple hot and fresh cooked single plate meal
is a popular street food throughout Indonesia.
For myself, while nasi goreng
simply can’t compete with curries and more flavorful rich dishes, I do
find Indonesian nasi goreng quite enjoyable from time to time, and it
makes an easy cheap meal. When you find an Indonesian street food cart
that sells nasi goreng, they can usually make it with whatever
ingredients you see in their cabinet – vegetables, chicken, egg, and
stink beans (my personal recommendation).
The rice is stir fried, often in a little margarine and oil, seasoned
with crushed chili sambal and garlic and the ingredients, then mixed
with kecap manis which gives the fried rice its unique Indonesian
touch. You’ll seriously find nasi goreng street food cards just about
everywhere you look in Jakarta and across Indonesia. My favorite version
to order nasi goreng with with stink beans and a fried egg – for me
it’s the ultimate fried rice. Where: Any street food stall where you see “nasi
goreng” written, and you will see it all over Indonesia. In Jakarta you
can try the legendary goat fried rice at Nasi Goreng Kambing Kebon
Sirih.
19. Nasi Uduk (coconut rice)
When I took my first bite of nasi uduk, a fragrantly type of
cooked rice, I could immediately taste the rich coconut milk and a
wonderful cardamom flavor.
Nasi uduk is similar to nasi lemak,
rice that’s cooked with a variety of aromatics like lemongrass, pandan
leaves and dry spices like coriander seed, bay leaves, sometimes
cardamom, and finally the all important coconut milk. The result is a
rich and savory, plus hearty and flavorful, rice. There are a variety of
different recipes for nasi uduk, also depending on the region of
Indonesia you’re in. You can eat nasi uduk accompanied by a variety of
different curries and Indonesian foods, but it’s also very common in
Jakarta to eat along with simple fried chicken and sambal chili sauce. Where: Nasi Uduk Zainal Fanani (also known as Nasi
Uduk Kebon Kacang) serves Betawi style nasi uduk. Address: Jalan Kebon
Kacang 8 No. 5, Daerah Khusus Ibukota Jakarta; Open hours: 10 am – 12 am
midnight daily; Prices: 75,000 IDR ($5.74) for 2; Watch the video here.
20. Nasi Liwet (Javanese rice)
Similar to nasi uduk, nasi liwet is a traditional Javanese style of
cooking rice that includes coconut milk and chicken broth, with the
fragrance of bay leaves and lemongrass. It’s common to eat nasi liwet
along with a variety of side dishes and extra coconut cream.
When I was in Indonesia, Ken and Gracia from Cowokrakus
invited me to experience an authentic local Sundanese nasi liwet feast
at their home in Bogor, about an hour from Jakarta. The rice was
extremely fragrant, and along with the coconut milk, it was also mixed
with little fried fish to give it another added dimension of taste and
texture. We ate off a communal banana leaf, piled with side dishes like
grilled chicken, and a variety of curries, and fresh herbs and
vegetables to garnish. It was one of the most memorable Indonesian meals
I’ve ever had. Where: I had this dish home cooked, but do you know
of any good restaurants? I would love to hear from you in the comments
section at the bottom of this post.
21. Nasi Campur (mixed rice)
Nasi campur literally just means mixed rice, and in Malaysia is typically refers to local Malay style rice and curry.
But in Jakarta when you mention nasi campur it often refers to rice
with a variety of Chinese meats like char siu, pork belly, roast
chicken, or egg, all served with sweet tangy sauce – very similar to Thai khao moo daeng.
I had a couple plates of nasi campur in Jakarta, and each time they
were both good, a good dish to eat if you enjoy rice and pork with a
sweet and savory sauce. Where: Nasi Campur Yung Yung 99
is one of the well known restaurants in Jakarta. Address: Ketapang
Business Centre Blok A22, Jalan KH. Zainul Arifin, Jakarta; Open hours: 9
am – 8 pm daily; Prices: 30,000 IDR per plate.
22. Bubur Ayam (chicken congee)
Every country around southeast Asia has their own version of rice
porridge (congee) a result of the massive Chinese influence across the
continent. In Indonesia bubur ayam, chicken rice porridge, is one of the
very common street food dishes.
The rice is cooked so it’s thick and hearty, yet easy to go down, and
while it can be prepared with any assortment of toppings, chicken is
one of the most popular. At Bubur Ayam, one of the most famous spots in
Jakarta for rice porridge, a bowl comes topped with shredded chicken,
and you often eat it along with skewers of fried chicken heart and other
organs. Where: Bubur ayam is a very common Jakarta street
food, but I tried it at Bubur Ayam Barito. Address: Jalan Gandaria
Tengah 3, Kramat Pela, Kebayoran Baru, Jakarta; Open hours: 4 pm – 12 am
midnight daily; Prices: 42,000 IDR ($3.13) for 2 bowls, 2 skewers of
organs.
23. Nasi Bali / Babi Guling (roast pork)
Nearly every region of Indonesia has their own unique mix of rice
eaten with a variety of different side dishes. The island of Bali, with
its mostly Hindu population, has a unique variety of food, especially
because (unlike other parts of Indonesia apart from Chinese and
Christian populations), pork is popular.
Balinese cuisine makes use of lots of flavorful spices and herbs like
ginger, garlic, shallots, and an abundance of chilies. One of the most
famous dishes in Bali is babi guling, roasted crispy pig. If you’re in
Bali, there’s a well researched post about the best babi guling in Bali on Travelfish. Where: Undoubtedly, the best place to eat Balinese
food is in Bali, but if you’re in Jakarta, I had a great Balinese plate
at Little Ubud restaurant. Address: Ruko Cordoba, Blok G No. 2, Bukit
Golf Mediterania, Jl. Marina Indah Raya, Pantai Indah Kapuk,
Jakarta; Open hours: 10 am – 11 pm daily; Prices: About 35,000 IDR per
plate.
24. Nasi Padang (Padang rice curry)
Probably one of the most famous meals to be associated with Indonesia
is Nasi Padang, a mix of rice and side dishes, originally from the Padang
in western Sumatra. I’ve included Nasi Padang on this food list because
it’s such an important meal, however, I’ve also included a few of the
common dishes within Nasi Padang below in this list as well.
On my first trip to Sumatra back in 2009, I had a meal of Nasi Padang
that hit every note of my tongue, and I will never forget how
sensationally flavorful it was. To this day, Nasi Padang remains one of
my favorite meals in the entire world. Padang food is known for being
flavored with fresh curry pastes that include ingredients like galangal,
turmeric, kaffir lime leaves, garlic, shallots, and lots of herbs,
combined with rich curries and coconut milk.
There are two main ways Nasi Padang is served. If you go to a small
food stall, you’re typically dished a plate of rice and can choose from
the variety of different dishes available which are places on top of
your individual plate (it’s called pesan in Indonesian). But if
you go to a more established indoor Nasi Padang restaurant they will
serve you about 20 different dishes on your table, and you pick and
choose the dishes you want, only paying for the dishes you eat (this is
called hidang). Where: There are countless Padang food restaurants
in Jakarta, but one of my favorites was Rumah Makan Surya. Rumah Makan
Surya Masakan Padang; Address: Jalan Bendungan Hilir Raya No.15,
Bendungan Hilir, Jakarta; Open hours: 9 am – 8 pm daily; Prices: I
paid 165,000 IDR ($12.52) for a bunch of dishes; Watch the video here.
25. Woku (Manado soup curry)
Technically, woku is an Indonesian Sualwesi blend of different spices
and herbs like chilies, lemon basil, shallots, garlic, and tomatoes,
that’s usually prepared with fish or chicken, and can be the consistency
of anywhere from soup to more dry. When I had my first bowl of woku, it
was a bit of a life-changer, one of those dishes that’s so
dramatically flavorful, there’s nothing you can do but close your eyes
and enjoy it.
Woku is both spicy and heavy on the herbs with a distinct taste of
lemon basil, giving the entire dish a refreshing, yet hot and spicy,
sensation. After spending 3 weeks in Jakarta and eating Manado food a number of times, I can safely say woku is one of my favorites Indonesian foods. Where: Any Mandado food restaurant will have woku.
In Jakarta, I enjoyed the version at Ikan Tude Manado; Address: Jalan
Blora No. 28-29, Menteng, Jakarta; Open hours: 8 am – 11 pm
daily; Prices: 325,000 IDR ($24.57) for 4. Watch the video here.
26. Rica-rica (Manado dish)
Just like woku, rica-rica is a popular blend of chilies and herbs
that originates from Northern Sulawesi. But while the different versions
of woku that I had were more turmeric heavy and usually cooked a bit
soupy or watery, the versions or rica-rica I experience were more dry,
like a sauce, teeming with red chilies, shallots, and tomatoes.
Rica-rica definitely has a bit of sweet and sour tasting components
to it, but while being spicy, and full of chunky tomatoes at the same
time. You’ll find recipes for rica-rica using different types of meat,
but the most popular is ayam rica-rica, with chicken. Where: I had a good Manado meal at Brama
Kusu; Address: Jalan Panglima Polim Raya South Jakarta; Open hours:
About 11 am – 8 pm daily; Prices: 167,000 IDR for my wife and I for a
full meal.
27. Gulai Kepala Ikan (fish head curry)
When I published my Singapore food guide,
I received a few comments from Indonesians saying, “you have to come to
Indonesia to try our fish head curry.” And so there was no way I was
going to miss out on Indonesian fish head curry.
Fish head curry is a pretty general term, and whole fish are eaten
around Indonesia, so I guess I would classify a dish as a fish head
curry when the head is the dominant piece of the fish included in the
dish. You’ll find fish head curry as some Nasi Padang and Sumatra
restaurants, and the best fish head curry I had was at Medan Baru
Restaurant in Jakarta. The fish head was covered in one of the most
creamy coconut curries I’ve ever experienced in my life – it was
unbelievable. Where: Rumah Makan Medan Baru; Address: Jalan Krekot
Bunder No. 65, Pasar Baru, Sawah Besar, Jakarta; Open hours: 9 am – 9
pm daily; Prices: Ou total bill was 406,000 IDR ($30.69) for many dishes
and a huge fish head. Watch the video here.
28. Gulai Otak (brain curry)
Usually available at restaurants that serve Nasi Padang, gulai otak
is curry where the main ingredient is brain. You’ll find goat and lamb
brains, but one of the most popular Padang versions is cow brains, which
are cooked in a spice riddled creamy curry sauce.
Cow brains are intensely rich and creamy, and to me it’s pretty
unbelievably delicious, but at the same time, it’s one of those foods
that you just don’t want to overdose on, or run the risk of overdoing
it. For me, that means about 1 – 2 chunks. When you bite into a Padang
cow brain curry, the creaminess will completely overwhelm your mouth,
it’s similar to panna cotta in texture, completely silky smooth. Where: They will typically have gulai otak at any
Nasi Padang restaurant. I had a good version at Nasi Padang Sari
Bundo; Address: Jalan Ir Juanda No. 27, Jakarta; Open hours: 8 am – 10
pm daily; Prices: 207,000 IDR for 2 of us and we ate about 8 dishes.
29. Beef Rendang (rendang)
When CNN took a survey to come up with the world’s best foods,
Indonesian rendang is the dish that took the number 1 spot. Although
some things on the list (potato chips?) are questionable, I’m quite
alright with rendang being the winner. Rendang is truly an outstandingly
delicious Indonesian food.
Often made with beef, rendang is a dish that originates in the western part of Sumatra from the Minangkabau people, and is commonly served at Nasi Padang restaurants. Rendang is popular across Indonesia and also in Malaysia and Singapore.
There are two main variations of rendang, one that’s quite dry (this
is supposedly the original authentic version), with all the spices
coated onto the meat, and another that has a more of a curry gravy sauce
to it. Both are fantastic, depending on your preference; I don’t think I
can pick a favorite.
In order to make rendang, spices like cinnamon, star anise, cardamom,
and dry chilies, garlic, and shallots are cooked with the meat. Where
the recipes differs from other curries is that one of the key
ingredients is desiccated coconut, which gives the rendang curry a
grainy texture of the dry coconut, mixed with all the incredible spice
flavors. Where: Again, this is a dish available at Nasi
Padang restaurants throughout Indonesia. Rumah Makan Surya Masakan
Padang; Address: Jalan Bendungan Hilir Raya No.15, Bendungan Hilir,
Jakarta; Open hours: 9 am – 8 pm daily; Prices: I paid 165,000 IDR
($12.52) for a bunch of dishes.
30. Jengkol Pedas (jengkol chili, djenkol)
Although jengkol beans, which grow in a pod, are commonly eaten
throughout Southeast Asia, and a delicacy in Indonesia (and I have to
admit that I really love them) they are potentially poisonous due to their jengkolic acid.
Jengkol beans are eaten in a variety of ways, and when I’m at home in
Thailand, I typically eat them raw like a garnishing nut or vegetable.
But when I was in Jakarta, I enjoyed jengkol beans a few times, once
while eating an amazing home-cooked Sundanese meal, and another time at a
Betawi restaurant, a dish called jengkol pedas. When jengkol beans
are cooked, they are starchy, kind of like potatoes, but with a
gummy texture. Where: Warung Mak Dower serves Betawi food in
Jakarta, and I was especially impressed with the jengkol pedas. Address:
Jl. Pemuda No. 72, Rawamangun, Jakarta; Open hours: 9 am – 9 pm
daily; Prices: 140,800 IDR for a full spread of dishes.
31. Petai (stink beans)
Along with djenkol, there was no way I could leave petai, or stink beans, off this list of best Indonesian foods. Petai are little green colored beans that grow in a tree within twisted pods.
While petai itself is often cooked in a curry or stir fried with ikan
bilis and lots of chilies, it’s also eaten raw and dipped into sambal,
or the entire stink beans pod is either grilled or deep fried and
eaten like candy (at least for me, they are like vitamin candies to
me). Most of all though, I just included petai on this list because it’s
one of my personal favorite things to eat in the world and they are
extremely common and popular in Indonesian cuisine. Where: Anywhere you see the beautiful green twisted
pods, they will be available. You can order them in curry, grilled,
fried, or raw.
32. Nasi Gule Solo (organ stew)
Walking around a neighborhood one morning in Jakarta I saw a friendly
man selling Nasi Gule Solo from his street food cart, and so I had to
stop and immediately have a bowl. The gule he was serving was sort of a
cross between a soup and a curry, and his version was made with goat
organs.
Balancing my plate of gule and a plate of rice and crackers on a
couple of plastic stools, I enjoyed some chewy goat with a mild yet
soothing curry. With the friendliness of the Indonesian uncle selling
the gule, it was a wonderful food experience. Nasi Gule Solo is
originally from Solo, also known as Surakarta. It’s a mild curry, and goes great with rice. You’ll find carts all over especially South Jakarta that serve Gule Solo. Where: I noticed lots of Nasi Gule Solo street food
carts in the Gandaria area of South Jakarta, and that’s where I tried
it, just a short walk from Gandaria City Mall.
33. Rawon (beef stew)
Another one of the traditional Indonesian dishes, originally from
eastern Java, is rawon, a black colored beef stew. When I had my first
taste of rawon, I immediately fell in love, and I knew I wanted to learn
more about this exquisite and interesting dish.
Along with pieces of beef, one of the most important ingredients in cooking rawon is keluak (or kluwak), a nut that I had only previously eaten in a Peranakan dish.
Keluak has a taste that reminds of dark chocolate, but more nutty, even
with a hint of a rye taste. Beef rawon is served soup with rice, and
complemented with baby bean sprouts, a squeeze of lime, and sambal. Where: Nasi Gandul Bu Endang; Address: Jalan
Pesanggrahan No. 14, Puri Indah, Jakarta; Open hours: 8:30 am – 10 pm
daily; Prices: 148,000 IDR for 4 people, and we ate a few different
dishes.
34. Gudeg (stewed jackfruit)
Considered to be the one of the national dishes of Yogyakarta
(Jogja), gudeg is young jackfruit that’s braised with palm sugar,
coconut milk, bay leaves, lemongrass, and galangal, until it’s extremely
tender, and blended together.
Gudeg Jogja as it’s sometimes called, is served with rice as a main
dish, but accompanied with a few other common side dishes that include
chicken, and curried cow skin. While I couldn’t eat gudeg very often
because it’s a sweet dish, I did really enjoy the amazing texture of the
young jackfruit after being cooked for so long. Where: Nasi Gandul Bu Endang; Address: Jalan
Pesanggrahan No. 14, Puri Indah, Jakarta; Open hours: 8:30 am – 10 pm
daily; Prices: 148,000 IDR for 4 people, gudeg was alright, but my
favorite was the rawon.
35. Plecing Kangkung (water spinach salad)
Originating from the island of Lombok (also where ayam Taliwang comes
from), plecing kangkung is a vegetable based salad made with water
morning glory, which is topped in a spicy chili and shrimp paste sambal.
When I ate plecing kangkung, I immediately loved it because the water
morning glory was still fresh and crisp, while the sambal on top was
spicy, with a nice balance of shrimpy saltiness from the shrimp paste.
It goes really well with rice and grilled chicken. Where: In Jakarta I had it at Ayam Taliwang Rinjani.
Address: Jalan Pesanggrahan Raya No. 50, Puri Indah, Jakarta; Open
hours: 10 am – 10 pm daily; Prices: I ate 3 chickens for 165,000 IDR
($12.39) plus this salad.
36. Daun Pepaya (papaya leaves)
Daun pepaya, or papaya leaves, are commonly eaten in a number of
different ways throughout Indonesia. Papaya trees and their leaves are
easy and fast to grow, and the leaves are full of nutrition. They have a
little bit of a bitter taste to them.
If you eat Indonesian food at a Padang restaurant, you might see
papaya leaves which are either blanched or steamed and served with a
simple chili sambal sauce. But one of the versions I loved the most was
at a Manado, Sulawesi restaurant, where they sautéed papaya leaves with
papaya flowers. They tasted bitter and floral, which I thoroughly
enjoyed. Where: Ikan Tude Manado; Address: Jalan Blora No.
28-29, Menteng, Jakarta; Open hours: 8 am – 11 pm daily; Prices: 325,000
IDR ($24.57) for 4.
37. Gulai Daun Singkong (curry cassava leaves)
I grew up for a number of years in Congo
with my parents, and one of the dishes we ate nearly everyday was
cassava leaves, sometimes cooked with peanuts, and I used to love them.
So I was very glad that a common type of leaf vegetable you’ll find
in Indonesian cuisine are cassava leaves. Cassava leaves are actually toxic if you eat them raw, but they are delicious when cooked, and have a slight leathery texture to them. Where: The best curry cassava leaves I had in
Jakarta was at Rumah Makan Medan Baru; Address: Jalan Krekot Bunder No.
65, Pasar Baru, Sawah Besar, Jakarta; Open hours: 9 am – 9 pm
daily; Prices: Ou total bill was 406,000 IDR ($30.69) for many dishes.
38. Bakpao and Kopi (baozi and coffee)
Indonesia is such a dominant producer of coffee, and when you’re in
Indonesia you’re in for some delicious coffee. And there’s almost
nothing I can think of that goes better with coffee than a freshly
steamed bakpao, or the Indonesian variation of a Chinese baozi.
Along with an abundance of higher end artisan modern coffee shops
throughout Jakarta, there are also some excellent traditional shops
(kopitiams). One of the places I tried, located in Kelapa Gading, looked
pretty ordinary from the outside, but I was impressed with the smooth
black chocolatey tasting coffee they served. For modern style coffee
shops in Jakarta, check out the extensive Eats and Treats blog. Where: Kedai Kopi & Bakpao Kwang Koan; Address: Kelapa Gading, Jakarta (more info here); Open hours: 6 am – 1 pm on Saturday and Sunday, 6 am – 3 pm on Monday – Friday.
39. Gado-gado (peanut sauce salad)
Gado gado, which is a vegetables and compressed rice salad, made with
peanut sauce (or cashew nut sauce) dressing, is one of the most common
Indonesian street foods available. Although technically a salad or mix,
gado gado, especially when it contains compressed rice cakes, is
actually quite filling and can be eaten as a main dish, or a snack.
When you step up to a street food cart that serves gado gado, the
vendor will first mix up the peanut sauce on a flat slightly rounded
stone mortar. Once the sauce is ready, a mixture of steamed vegetables
like bean sprouts, water morning glory, and long beans, along with tofu,
soybean cakes, and sometimes lontong (compressed rice cakes). The nut
sauce makes the salad rich hearty, while the vegetables contribute a mix
of different textures.
Gado gado is served at all different types of Indonesian restaurants, but according to this article on the Wall Street Journal,
it’s traditionally served as a street food, specifically from mobile
kaki lima street food carts. Around Jakarta, anytime you see gado gado
written on the side of a food cart, you can grab a stool and order, sit
and enjoy. Also, gado gado is one of the few vegetarian dishes commonly
available. Where: Gado-gado is one of the most famous and
common Jakarta street food dishes and you’ll find it everywhere. There’s
a guy called Andy, who sets up outside of City Walk Sudirman mall, and
he a delicious version. Watch the video here.
40. Mie Goreng (fried noodles)
Mie goreng (also spelled mee goreng or mi goreng) are Indonesian stir
fried noodles, usually prepared with yellow noodles. Although Chinese
influenced, mie goreng in Indonesia have a definite Indonesian taste,
usually including a good dollop of sambal chili sauce in the mixture.
The yellow noodles are stir fried in a hot wok with plenty of oil,
garlic, egg, and a combination of extra ingredients that can include
cabbage, tomatoes, kailan, onions, and any choice of meat. Mie goreng is
commonly available as an Indonesian street food dish, and is also
popularly made with Indomie instant noodles. Where: Many of the same street food stalls that sell
nasi goreng (fried rice) can also make mie goreng. For a sit down
street food version, I enjoyed it at Sin Moy Kong Chinese Food; Address:
Jl. Mangga Besar Raya No.124 A Sawah Besar Kota, Jakarta; Open hours: 4
pm – 12 am midnight, closed on Sunday; Prices: 189,000 IDR ($14.31). Watch the video here.
41. Ketoprak (peanut sauce salad)
Another common Indonesian dish based on peanut sauce is ketoprak, a
Jakarta originating dish that includes pieces of tofu, and rice
vermicelli noodles, all flavored with sweet salty peanut sauce.
When I was in Jakarta, one day I went to one of the most well known
spots in the city for ketoprak, a small little shop in the neighborhood,
that stays busy from the moment they open – and they often have a long
line around mealtimes. After making a batch of their special peanut
sauce, they fried some tofu, chopped it on a plate with some bean
sprouts, doused it in the peanut sauce, and finished it with a fried
egg. Where: Ketoprak is available all over Jakarta, but
for a famous version go to Ketoprak Ciragil; Address: Jalan Ciragil II
Blok Q No. 24, Kebayoran Baru, Jakarta; Open hours: 9 am – 6 pm
daily; Prices: 20,000 IDR ($1.49) per plate.
42. Tempeh (fermented soybean)
Tempeh (which is also spelled tempe) is a preserved soybean cake, that’s kind of similar to tofu,
but it uses whole soybeans and it’s fermented in a loaf sized shape.
Tempe is very nutritious, packed full of protein and fiber.
One of the most common ways tempe is cooked is deep fried or pan
fried. It can be eaten as a snack, or as a part of a greater meal, and
dipped into sambal chili sauce for extra flavor. To me, tempeh often has
a slight sour taste, and a starchy texture. And also because of its
protein content and vitamins it makes a great meat substitution, so it’s
a favorite Indonesian vegetarian food. Where: You’ll find tempeh from street food carts to restaurants, especially restaurant that specialize in deep fried items.
43. Gorengan (deep fried snacks)
Gorengan refers to street food stalls that serve all kinds of deep
fried fritters, some of which are battered, and other not. You’ll find
pisang goreng (deep fried bananas), fried stuffed tofu, bakwan (veggie
batter fritters), fried cassava, fried breadfruit, and the list goes on.
When you’re in Indonesia, eating from a gorengan cart is not the
healthiest choice as the oil is often not so clean and there is question
as to what’s included in the batter occasionally so it remains so
crispy despite the humidity, but as an occasional snack, the offerings
at a gorengan cart can be very tasty. I especially like fried
breadfruit, which is just slices of breadfruit (no batter), lightly
salted, and deep fried. Where: Look for street food carts that say Gorengan, and you’ll also see a mountain of golden fried fritters.
44. Pempek (fishcakes)
One of the prized Indonesian foods originating from Palembang (in the south of Sumatra), pempek is a unique type of fishcake, that’s very popular as a snack in Jakarta as well.
The recipe for the fishcakes or fish balls not only includes pureed
fish, but also tapioca starch to give it a chewy bouncy texture. The
pempek are then usually deep fried (although you can get them grilled as
well), and served with noodles and a sauce that’s sweet, salty, and
sour. I have never been a huge meatball / fishball fan, but I have to
admit that pempek was pretty good. I loved the bouncy texture and the
flavorful sauce they are eaten with. Where: I had pempek at a restaurant called Pempek
Palembang & Otak – Otak 161 and they have multiple locations around
Jakarta; Address: Jalan Boulevard Raya Blok FW I No. 26, Kelapa Gading,
Jakarta; Open hours: 11 am – 8 pm daily.
45. Siomay (dumplings)
Soimai is a popular Indonesian food snack that has roots in China,
but has been transformed as an Indonesian dish. Typical vendors that
sell siomay have a steamer full of different ingredients including
siomay, tofu, and a variety of fishcakes and stuffed items. Siomay can
either be made with fish or sometimes shrimp or pork.
The siomay are dished onto a plate, and the Indonesian flavor touch
is that they are served with a sweet and savory peanut sauce and some
sambal to bump up the heat. Where: In Glodok, Jakarta’s Chinatown, you’ll find
many bicycle vendors that sell hot plates of siomay. But also throughout
Jakarta it’s a popular street food.
46. Asinan (pickled vegetable salad)
Asinan is a snack that includes pickled fruits or vegetables, but in a
number of different forms and styles depending on which region of
Indonesia you’re in.
When I was hanging out with Hey Theresia,
a local Indonesian food blogger, we stopped for a plate of Asinan
Betawi, a Jakarta version of asinan. The vendor chopped up a bunch of
pickled and blanched vegetables, then added on a couple of fried noodle
crackers, and then doused the snack in a sweet and salty fruity tasting
sauce. It was a very interesting mix, including lots of sour and salty
flavors. Where: Right outside the entrance of Ragusa Es
Italia ice cream shop; Address: Kav 3-5, Komplek Pertokoan Duta Merlin,
Jalan Gajah Mada, Jakarta, Indonesia (not far from the National Monument
in Jakarta).
47. Kerak Telor (rice egg snack)
Kerak telor is an old style Betawi Indonesian food, that includes
both sticky rice and egg, fried in a pancake or omelette shape and
topped with fried shredded coconut and fried shallots. I personally
think it’s one of the most interesting and fun snacks to watch being
prepared.
In order to make kerak telor, the vendor takes a handful of soaked
sticky rice and places it on the bottom of a charcoal heated wok. An egg
goes in, and then at just the right time, the entire wok is flipped
over (and somehow the rice cake miraculously doesn’t fall out) and
roasted over the fire. For me, this was one snack that was more fun to
watch being made than to eat. Where: You’ll often find kerak telor at public areas
like around the National Monument in Jakarta and Fatahillah Square in
mid to late afternoon.
48. Martabak Manis (sweet martabak)
Possibly one of the craziest desserts I’ve ever seen made in my life,
martabak manis is a sweet waffle like cake, that’s smothered in butter
(or margarine), sugar, cheese, chocolate, or a variety of other fillings
of choice, and eaten like a cross between a pancake and a birthday
cake. It’s insane.
I’m not really a sweets kind of guy, but martabak manis is definitely
one of the most famous Indonesian desserts, and just because it’s so
crazy, it’s something that should not be missed when you’re Jakarta. Where: Martabak 65A is one of the original and most
popular places in Jakarta; Address: Jalan Pecenongan Raya No.65A,
Jakarta; Open hours: 5:30 pm – 12 am midnight daily; Prices: 90,000 IDR
($6.71) for an entire giant martabak.
49. Durian (King of Fruits)
Similar to stink beans, I just couldn’t leave durian off this food
guide because I think it’s just one of the ultimate natural things in
the entire world… and it’s definitely considered the King of Fruits in
Indonesia. Jakarta is not nicknamed “the Big Durian,” for no reason.
You’ll find an abundance of fresh durian around Jakarta, many of
which come from Medan or Palembang, or other islands as well. Along with
eating a fresh durian, there are also many different durian treats,
like durian cake, durian ice cream, and the very popular and refreshing
es campur durian, durian flavored mixed shave ice. Also, be sure to
check out my friend Lindsay’s amazing Jakarta durian guide. Where: I had a few Medan and Palembang durians along Mangga Besar road in the evening.
50. Sambal (chili sauce)
Although I have already mentioned sambal dozens of times in this food
blog, I think due to its importance in Indonesian cuisine (and my
personal love and obsession for it), it’s one of the most important
components of many Indonesian meals – either in the cooking or served as
a side sauce.
There are about as many different recipes or types of sambal as there
are islands in Indonesia, but a classic sambal might include chilies,
garlic, shallots, and other local ingredients, all puréed using a mortar
and pestle. Some sambals are spicy and salty, others are more sweet,
and some sambals are based upon local herbs and spices only available in
that specific region.
You’ll find sambal on the table of just about every restaurant in
Indonesia you eat at, and if they don’t have any available, if you ask
for some, they will make a simple sambal as soon as you ask. To me,
sambal is something I look forward to consuming with every Indonesian
meal. And it’s not only because I’m a chili lover, but also because I
think the diversity and variations of different sambals is a reflection
of just how diverse Indonesia and its food are. Where: You’ll be served sambal with just about any
Indonesian food you eat in Indonesia… that’s part of the reason why I
love Indonesia so much.
Conclusion
What I love so much about Indonesian food are the fresh and vibrant
ingredients that go into the cooking – the chilies, garlic, shallots,
lemongrass, lemon basil – and the list goes on. The combinations of
these ingredients is what makes Indonesian cuisine so spectacular.
This guide to 50 of the best Indonesian foods is only a small sample
of the multitude of dishes available for you to try in Indonesia, and I
hope at least it’s made your mouth water a little bit!