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10 Fantastic Foods To Fill Your Belly With On Your Trip In Indonesia

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Indonesian cuisine is one of the most colorful and diverse not just in Asia but in the whole world. With 17,000 islands and 300 groups of people making up the country, with each of these groups bringing their own culinary traditions to the table, you’re sure to be off to a grand gastronomic adventure on your visit to Indonesia. So, what dishes should you try on your Indonesian holiday? We have here ten of the best foods that you must taste on your trip to Indonesia.

Ayam Goreng

Indonesian fried chicken
Credit: @marksinla

All countries probably have their own version of fried chicken, and ayam goreng is Indonesia’s own. The meat used in the Indonesian version comes from small, free-range village chicken which makes the difference between ayam goreng and your regular KFC fare. They’re more flavorful even though these fowl may be smaller, especially after they’re marinated in garlic and shallots.

Bakso

Bakso is apopular Indonesian street food
Credit: @terry_perdanawati

Bakso is a popular Indonesian street food often sold from pushcarts, it is noodle soup with meatballs, wontons, fried shallots and boiled eggs. The meatballs usually use chicken or beef. If you ever find yourself starving while exploring the cities of Indonesia, just find a cart that sells bakso and you’ll have something tasty and slurp-worthy to fill up on.

Gado-gado

Gado-Gado salad has it all
Indonesian perfectly served gado-gado.

Gado-Gado which literally means “mix-mix” is an assortment of veggies tossed together with peanut sauce. This salad often consists of long beans, tofu, tempe, bean sprouts, corn, spinach, cucumber and boiled eggs.

Martabak

Martabak is a savoury or sweet food in Indonesia
Cheese martabak served with vinegar.

Martabak is Indonesian crepe. It’s available either as a savory or a sweet treat. Served with sweet and sour vinegar and pickled cucumber on the side, the savory version is usually filled with egg and minced meats, . The sweet version, on the other hand, can have peanuts, cheese and chocolate.

Nasi Goreng

Indonesian Fried Rice is slightly different than other fried rice
Credit: @doingitforthefoodstagram

Nasi goreng is one of Indonesia’s most recognizable dishes. It is fried rice with veggies and meat mixed in. What makes nasi goreng different from the fried rice of other cuisines is it’s coated with thick and sweet soy sauce.

Rendang

Beef rendang is usually served during Eid Mubarak
Credit: @melissachor88

Served on special occasions or when guests are over, the rendang is one of the many versions of curry in Indonesian cuisine. It takes time and skill to cook rendang. You need to cook the beef in a spice mixture consisting of star anise, cardamom, cinnamon, garlic, shallots and dried chili until the spices coat and infuse the beef itself. Served dry or with a curry sauce is how you can take rendang.

Sambal

A bowl of sambal is a must have in every meal
Credit: @monsera.food

At every meal you sit down to in Indonesia, you’re sure to find a small bowl of sambal on the table. Made with chilies, fish paste, sugar, salt, lime juice and shallots pounded and pureed together. Sometimes it is served with durian, mushrooms, or green mangoes. It is an essential element to most foods in Indonesia, and no meal is complete without it.

Satay

Satay is a widely loved food in Indonesia and Southeast Asia
Cooking process of satay.

Satay is Indonesia’s take on the kebab. To prepare the satay, the meat is marinated in turmeric and sweet soy sauce then cooked over hot coals and then doused with peanut sauce. Above all, it smells as delicious as it tastes.

Siomay

Siomay is a famous Indonesian street food
An Indonesian woman selling siomay outside.

Indonesia’s version of the Chinese dim sum comes in the form of steamed fish dumplings served with steamed potatoes, cabbage, bitter gourd and eggs, along with a generous helping of peanut sauce. Another popular street food, you can find these sold from carts or vendors with steamers on their bicycles.

Soto

Chicken soto with noodles
Chicken soto with noodles.

Often eaten as comfort food, Soto is traditional Indonesian soup. Considered to be one of the country’s national dishes, soto has many regional versions. At its most basic, it’s meat and vegetables cooked in broth. The meat can be chicken, beef, goat, tripe and organ meats. The broth can be clear or mixed with coconut milk. A wide variety of spices can be added to the soup, including turmeric, lemongrass, galangal, cloves, and star anise are some of the variety of spices added to the soup. Besides that, it can be served with crackers, tofu, eggs, mashed potato patties and many other side dishes.

Is your mouth watering yet? Stop drooling and book your gastronomic holiday to Indonesia right now. Indonesia also has other things to offer besides foods but a great experience. Find out all about them in articles we’ve listed here!

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