Indonesian cuisine is one of those things that attract tourists the most. The foods can vary from spicy to sweet, sour to savoury yet they all taste super duper delicious. Thus, it's a must to try these 10 dishes which are Indonesian's pride.
1. Nasi Goreng
Literally meaning "fried rice" in Indonesian, Nasi Goreng is an Indonesian rice dish with pieces of meat and vegetables added. It can refer simply to fried pre-cooked rice, a meal including stir fried rice in a small amount of cooking oil or margarine, typically spiced with kecap manis (sweet soy sauce), shallot, garlic, ground shrimp paste, tamarind and chilli and accompanied by other ingredients, particularly egg, chicken and prawns.
2. Satay
Satay, or sate in Indonesian spelling, is a dish of seasoned, skewered and grilled meat, served with a sauce. Satay may consist of diced or sliced chicken, goat, mutton, beef, pork, fish, other meats, or tofu; the more authentic version uses skewers from the midrib of the coconut palm frond, although bamboo skewers are often used.
3. Beef Rendang
Rendang is a spicy meat dish which originated in ethnic group of Minangkabau people, and is now commonly served across the country. One of the characteristic foods of Minangkabau culture, it is served at ceremonial occasions and to honour guests. In 2018, rendang is officially recognised as one of 5 national dishes of Indonesia.
4. Sop Buntut
Sop Buntut is made of slices of fried or barbecued oxtail, served in vegetable soup with rich but clear beef broth. It contains boiled potatoes, carrots, tomatoes, leek, celery, and fried shallots. Indonesian sop buntut is seasoned with shallot, garlic and native spices such as black pepper, nutmeg, and clove.
5. Indomie
You don't really have to go to Indonesia to taste Indomie, but it's certainly worth having while you're there! After all, this country is home to the instant noodles that every college student loves. With a world of flavours at your disposal and at less than a dollar a pack, you could easily live off of this Indonesian dish. Best of all, you'll find Indomie literally anywhere — from restaurants to corner stores.
6. Martabak
This sweet Indonesian food is the country's spin on a pancake, usually filled with anything from chocolate and nuts to cheese. Think crepe but thicker. These sweet treats are only sold in the evening and night, so you might have to wait for your midnight snack to give this one a try.
7. Pempek
Pempek, mpek-mpek or empek-empek is a savoury fishcake delicacy from Palembang, South Sumatera, Indonesia, made of fish and tapioca. Pempek is served with rich sweet and sour sauce called "cuko" (vinegar sauce). Sometimes local people also add yellow noodles for variations.
8. Tumpeng
Tumpeng is a cone-shaped rice dish with side dishes of vegetables and meat. The rice cone is erected in the "tampah" (rounded woven bamboo container), covered with a banana leaf, and surrounded by assorted Indonesian dishes. In 2013, the Indonesian Ministry of Tourism and Creative Economy promoted tumpeng as one of 30 Indonesian culinary icons and gave it the status of official national dish of Indonesia in 2014, describing it as "the dish that binds the diversity of Indonesian various culinary traditions."
9. Tempeh
Tempeh is a traditional soy product originating from Indonesia. It is made by a natural culturing and controlled fermentation process that binds soybeans into a cake form. Tempeh is the only major traditional soy food that did not originate from Greater Chinese cuisine.
10. Gado-Gado
Gado-Gado, also known as lotek, is an Indonesian salad of slightly boiled, blanched or steamed vegetables and hard-boiled eggs, boiled potato, fried tofu and tempeh, and "lontong" (rice wrapped in a banana leaf), served with a peanut sauce dressing. In 2018, Gado-Gado is promoted as one of 5 national dishes of Indonesia.
See more: Top 5 worth-visiting cities in Indonesia
Source: Internet
