Top 10 Indonesian Foods You Must Try Once in Lifetime

artIndonesia is well-known for its picturesque and stunning islands, especially Bali. But that is not everything. Indonesia has more than 300 ethnic groups spread throughout its vast islands, which are pieced together like a patchwork quilt. The diverse range of cultures makes it interesting to explore the cuisine that Indonesia has to offer. Besides their picturesque nature and island, Indonesian foods are worth exploring when you are traveling here.

By exploring Indonesian foods, you will gain a wonderful experience of flavors and tastes. It will certainly be a memorable experience for the rest of your life. Not to mention, most Indonesian foods feature a wide range of spices that will certainly give them an incredible, complex, and deep flavor that you may have never experienced before.

So, are you interested in trying Indonesian foods? We got you! Here are our recommendations of popular Indonesian foods for you to try on your trip here.

Top 10 Recommendations of Indonesian Foods You Must Try During Your Stay

As previously mentioned, Indonesian foods have a range of flavors and tastes characterized by their use of spices. We can assure you that Indonesian food will certainly satisfy your palate.

We have listed ten recommendations of Indonesian foods for those of you who are enthusiastic about them and want to experience a diversity of tastes and flavors. These recommendations for Indonesian foods range from the most simple to the most delicate.

Check out the details down below:

1. Nasi Goreng

Our first pick goes to nasi goreng. Since it is one of the most popular Indonesian foods, you may already be familiar with it. However, we just could not leave it out since it is outstandingly delicious.

With the secret ingredient of Indonesia’s sauce, called kecap manis, this dish is different from any fried rice you ever taste. The sauce adds a rich and savory flavor to the rice while giving it a lovely caramel color.

Furthermore, nasi goreng is also really good when served with meat, vegetables, and a fried egg. All in all, nasi goreng is something that you could never think of from a fried rice dish.

2. Bubur Ayam

Secondly, we recommend you bubur ayam. Bubur ayam is a silky smooth chicken porridge. Although it is a very simple dish, it is the most amazing food to soothe your stomach.

It is the ideal breakfast dish, as it is easily digested and non-spicy. To complete the flavor, you could add any toppings, such as sesame seeds, chopped green onions, or soy sauce.

Furthermore, bubur ayam is Indonesia’s national dish. Thus, you can get it in any region of Indonesia.

3. Nasi Uduk

Our third recommendation is nasi uduk. Nasi uduk is a flavorful and wonderful dish. With the condiments of coconut milk, cloves, cassia bark, and lemongrass, nasi uduk will provide you with an aromatic, savory, and deep flavor.

It has a rich texture and is typically served with fried shallot. It also comes with side dishes such as eggs, ayam goreng, tempe orek, and krecek.

Although you may try this exquisite cuisine throughout Indonesia, Jakarta offers the most authentic taste.

4. Gado Gado

The next pick goes to gado gado. Gado gado is an Indonesian salad that contains flavorful filling and dressing. It is different from any salads that are leafy and greeny.

With the fillings of lightly boiled veggies, hard-boiled egg, potatoes, fried tofu, and lontong, as well as the lovely dressing of peanut sauce, you will change your perspective about salad.

Furthermore, as gado gado is Indonesia’s national cuisine, you may find this wherever in the country.

5. Soto Betawi

Our fifth pick is soto betawi, the authentic dish of Jakarta. It is an incredible dish that will definitely stick in your memory. You will undoubtedly experience the soto betawi’s warm embrace with its fragrant and wonderful taste.

It is a soup that is different from the typical soups you are familiar with. It is made with coconut milk, so the flavor will be milky and savory. Plus, it has tender beef chunks and a dressing made of lime and lemongrass that will give you a rich flavor.

If you have a stopover in Jakarta, make sure to try soto betawi.

6. Gudeg

Sixth, we recommend you try Gudeg. It is a traditional Javanese dish from Yogyakarta. It is naturally a vegetarian meal made from jackfruit, which is complemented with teak leaves that add up the spices.

Known as a traditional vegetarian meal, it can also be served with white rice or other side dishes like chicken and egg.

Generally, you can get this to try this food in any city in Indonesia, but for authenticity, we recommend you to try it in Yogyakarta.

7. Sate

Sate, or satay, is a marinated meat that is served on skewers and with a special Indonesian sauce. This dish could be made from various kinds of meat, such as chicken, lamb, beef, and pork. However, you may also discover one that is made from fish, tofu, eggs, or minced mixtures.

There are many different types of sate, but the typical one is made with lamb or chicken and served with peanut sauce. But, if you are willing to try the unusual kinds, we recommend the Bali style sate called sate lilit.

Sate lilit is a dish made with coconut, coconut milk, and a hearty mixture of vegetables and spices. It can be made with minced beef, chicken, fish, pork, or even turtle meat. Before being roasted over charcoal, the satay is then wrapped around bamboo, sugarcane, or lemongrass sticks.

It will certainly give you the best experience of tasting Bali’s authentic dishes.

8. Nasi Campur

Another recommendation is Bali’s style of nasi campur. It is a dish that includes a variety of delicious and tasty condiments.

Nasi campur is a plate of white rice that includes several condiments of babi guling or ayam betutu, mixed veggies, and a dab of spicy sambal matah. Further, nasi campur is often served with a warm bowl of soup.

Ask for nasi campur without sambal if you are trying it for the first time because it will be spicy with it.

9. Ayam Betutu

Next one is ayam betutu. It is a chicken that is slowly cooked, roasted, or buried in a coal fire for six to seven hours.

By eating ayam betutu, you can get a rich and juicy taste of chicken. Additionally, the chicken meat is so tender that it may be effortlessly separated from the bones.

This traditional Balinese cuisine is a whole chicken wrapped in banana leaves and packed with traditional spices, so it will definitely have a rich aroma and flavor.

10. Babi Guling

Last but not least, we recommend you to try babi guling. It is a roast pig that will certainly amuse your tongue with the delicate taste that comes from rich traditional spices and mixed-vegetable stuffings.

The meat is tender and juicy, but the crisp brown skins are treasured. Originally served as a communal dessert during important events and celebrations, babi guling is now available at many Bali food stalls and restaurants that specialize in it.

Those are our recommendations for Indonesian foods that you must try at least once in your lifetime. How is it? Does it make you salivate? Well, don’t worry because you can taste these amazing delicacies once you visit Indonesia.

The good news is that you can visit Indonesia at any moment because the border is already open. But don’t forget to pay special attention to the details of your visa application.

To begin your smooth trip to Indonesia for your Indonesian food exploration, you can contact DoorToID for a quick, professional, and transparent consultation on your visa application.