The Best Indonesian Dishes You MUST Try!
Indonesia is famous for many things and its cuisine should definitely be one of them. Trying some of the local Indonesian dishes is one of the best ways to experience Indonesia and learn more about the rich culture. From street food classics to exotic fruits, read below for a guide to the best Indonesian dishes.
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Nasi Campur
Nasi Campur simply means mixed rice and that is exactly what it is! The thing that makes this dish so amazing is that every place you eat it, will serve a different recipe or mix of dishes which makes it new each time. It is easier to see why this is one of the most popular dishes in Indonesia.
There are some common staples that make up this dish; there should be a dome of white steamed rice in the middle. Around the outside are an array of sides, sauces and fried accompaniments.Â
Often you will be served nasi campur as a buffet style meal where you can choose what sides you want. Sometimes you are served as the warung chooses which could be fish or fried shrimps, boiled beef, a boiled egg and various types of vegetables. We really enjoyed a nasi campur which came with a chicken sate which was skewered on lemongrass, the flavour infused and it was amazing.
You can order Nasi Campur at some of the smallest and cheapest side of the street warungs or bigger fancy restaurants. That is exactly why you have to try Nasi Campur, because it is such a staple and loved by the locals.
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Sate
Sate or satay as you may see it written, is simply skewered meat that should be cooked over coals or on a grill. This can be made up of many meats but the most common in Indonesia are chicken or pork. These flavourful skewers are juicy and pack a little bit of sweetness and spice.
They come served with a peanut sauce which is a bit spicier than the Western satay sauce that is popular all over the world, it is also a bit thicker with big chunks of peanuts. Dip the skewers in for a tasty treat or poor all over if you fancy.
Sate is meant as a snack and can be found by many street food sellors or you can go to many Indonesian restaurants and order it as a whole meal if you prefer.
Babi Guling
Babi Guling actually translates to suckling pig and it is a meal adored by many Indonesian islands. It is simply a whole pig roasted slowly over a fire and this makes juicy and tender pieces of pork and a delicious dish.
You can find Babi Guling all over Bali being offered at local warungs, some even only serve this speciality dish. You can expect each serving of babi guling to have pork three ways; a chunk of juicy meat, a piece of crispy skin and some flavorful stuffing. And this will all be served with rice, vegetables and sauce.
Note: as this is a pork dish it is not commonly found in predominantly Muslim islands such as Lombok and some Muslim areas of Java.
Mi Goreng - Fried noodles
Mi (Mee or Mie as it is spelt in some areas) Goreng simply means fried noodles. It is a very simple dish popular in Indonesia, Malaysia and many other countries in Asia.Â
What makes the Indonesian fried noodles special is they type of noodles they use; yellow noodles either thin egg or ramen noodles. These noodles can be accompanied with vegetables for example cabbage or sweetcorn plus some protein of eggs, shrimp or chicken plus amazingly flavorful sauces.Â
This meal is a cheap staple on Indonesia and is good for your tastebuds and wallet at the same time, do not miss this when in Indonesia
Nasi Goreng - Fried rice
If you have picked up anything from the last dish then you might be able to guess what Nasi Goreng is. Goreng is the Indonesian word for fried and nasi is rice, so simply; fried rice.Â
Every country has their own spin on this and Indonesia is no exception to this rule. A common Indonesian Nasi Goreng will be fried rice using yummy spices, shallot, garlic, pepper, salt, tomato ketchup, sambal (more on that later) or chili sauce and sweet soy sauce. This all comes together to a perfectly balanced filling meal.
Top Tip: Ask for Nasi Goreng with egg to have a perfectly sunny-side up egg on top of the rice.
Tempe
Tempe is an ingredient that you can find in many dishes all over the islands but most commonly you will find a thin sheet of it lightly fried, giving it a crispy and chewy texture.
It is actually made from cooked and slightly fermented soybeans which is a little bit of a weird thing to eat if this is not common in your home cuisine. If you look past how it sound and actually give it a try you will be surprised by the chewy cakey texture and hopefully happy at the taste.
You can also find it commonly served in Nasi Campur (see earlier) and it is very tasty when stir-fried in a sweet marinate. The end result is small little crispy bits of goodness.Â
The best part about Tempe is it is completely vegan so great for whatever diet you are following.
Rendang
Rendang is a traditional Indonesian dish, it is a spicy meat dish that is typically made using beef or occasionally, chicken or goat meat.Â
To make the dish you slowly cook the meat in coconut milk and a mixture of herbs and spices. The result is a rich and flavorful curry-like dish. If you are not the best with spice then maybe skip Rendang as it can serve quite a spicy punch.Â
Rendang is often served during special occasions or as a main dish with steamed rice. It is a popular and beloved dish in Indonesian cuisine.
Sambal
Sambal is a traditional Indonesian condiment that is used to add heat and flavor to dishes. It is made from a mixture of chilies, garlic, shallots, and other ingredients such as shrimp paste and tamarind.Â
Sambal comes in many varieties and can range from mild to extremely spicy, depending on the type and amount of chilies used. It is commonly used as a dipping sauce or added to soups, stir-fries, and rice dishes to enhance the overall flavor profile.
If you fancy testing your spice abilities then definitely ask for extra on your dishes, or request your meal without it if spice is not your thing.
Indomie
Indomie is a brand of instant noodles made in Indonesia, it is loved by locals who eat it as directed from the packs instructions or in many other creative ways. A lot of the time that you order Mie Goreng it may be made with Indomie noodles.
The company makes over 15 billion packets of Indomie annually and it is also exported to more than 90 countries around the world. So if you get truly addicted (like us) then you can keep eating these noodles long after your trip is over.
They are a perfect, easy and cheap dinner option and you should stock up if you are travelling Indonesia on a budget.
Es Campur
Es campur is a popular Indonesian dessert that consists of a mix of various ingredients such as jelly, coconut, avocado, sweet beans, and syrupy palm sugar poured over shaved ice.Â
The combination of flavors and textures makes for a refreshing and delightful treat, especially on hot and humid days (which is everyday in Bali).
Es campur can be found in many street food stalls and restaurants throughout Indonesia, for a very cheap price and it is a beloved dessert among locals and visitors alike.
Fruits
Indonesia is an extremely tropical country and their fresh hand-picked fruit is heads and shoulders above the fruit you can get in other parts of the world. There are so many special and unique fruits, some which are only native to certain islands of Indonesia.Â
We highly recommend trying; Dragon Fruit, Papaya, Rambutan, Durian, Jackfruit, Snake Fruit, Soursop, Pomelo, Passion Fruit or Dragon Eye Fruit.
Yes that sounds like a lot but honestly all of these fruits have such unique tastes and are so worth a try. Plus they are extremely cheap if you buy from local markets.
Martabak
Martabak is a very popular dessert or sweet snack, so perfect for satisfying your sweet tooth.Â
You can find savoury versions of it such as a spicy folded omelet pancake with bits of vegetables or different fillings. But the best version is like a fluffy pancake, but a bit thicker. It is then topped with sweet fillings like chocolate, banana, nuts or condensed milk and then folded in half to create an amazing sweet sandwich.
Martabak stalls are everywhere across the different Indonesian islands so it is extremely cheap and easy to find this treat.
Conclusion
Indonesian Food contains a vast array of dishes, ingredients, spices and flavours, all of which are worth trying. Once you have some confidence make sure to eat some street food and fresh fruit and you will not be disappointed.
Check out our other blog posts for more info all about Indonesia to make sure you don’t miss a thing in this beautiful country!
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