20 of my Favorite Recipes for Traditional Indonesian Food (2024)

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The Indonesian food I had when I toured the country in the fall of 2016 was some of the best food I've ever eaten in my life. Already being a fan of Asian food, I was in heaven!

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I was told before I left for Indonesia that I would be eating a lot of seafood, chicken, and rice. All my favorites! I could live on just those foods!

One of the best ways to sample another land is through food. Once you have the recipes, you can shop for ingredients and then use your kitchen table as a vehicle to that country.

If you have kids at home, you could even talk about the country or perhaps play some of the traditional games after dinner. My kids always loved learning that way.

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The beauty of Indonesia was breathtaking. I hope to go back again to see more of Gili Trawangan, Raja Ampat, and Bandung. Bali is also on my bucket list. I've heard it's amazing. The people were so friendly everywhere we went. I really hated to leave!

At least I can have a taste of the country with these recipes for traditional Indonesian food. These recipes bring together many different regions throughout history.

When all these areas come jointly with the indigenous ingredients, they create something truly amazing. Travel to Indonesia during your next family meal and enjoy.

Recipes for Indonesian Food

Indonesian Gado Gado

Gado Gado is a traditional Indonesian salad usually made with a combination of local fresh vegetables and a mix of egg and tempeh.

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Slow Cooker Indonesian Barbecue Chicken

The slow cooker does the magic to transform this recipe into the tastiest and most tender chicken barbecue, ever!

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Mie Goreng

This dish is savory, sweet, spicy, and incredibly satisfying! It’s easier than making pasta!

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Spicy Indonesian Street Cart Noodles

This spicy dish is another popular street food that will delight your tastebuds!

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Indonesian Chicken Curry

This Indonesian Chicken Curry recipe is a savory and fragrant addition to your dinner lineup. If you’ve never tried Indonesian food, this is a great one.

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Nasi Goreng

Delicious spicy stir-fried rice with shrimp paste, fish sauce, tamarind, and a few other goodies. Topped with a crispy fried egg!

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Soto Ayam

A delicious version of chicken soup with an Indonesian flare!

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Indonesian Fried Rice Nasi Goreng

Nasi Goreng is a fragrantly spiced Indonesian fried rice recipe that is much easier to make at home than you think!

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Indonesian Honey Garlic Chicken

Simple Indonesian style honey garlic chicken made in one skillet! The sauce is sticky, sweet, and a little spicy. So good and so easy to make!

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Dadar Jagung

An easy Indonesian version of Corn Fritters that you will want to make again and again!

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Soto Tangkar Betawi

Indonesian-style beef rib soup that will leave your senses amazed and your tastebuds begging for more!

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Chicken Rendang

An amazing Malaysian-Indonesian chicken stew with spices and coconut milk. Deeply flavorful. The best rendang recipe ever!

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Satay

Spicy and savory and oh so delicious, Sate is a seasoned and skewered meat dish that originated from the Indonesian island of Java.

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Indonesian Grilled Sambal Chicken

This grilled Sambal Chicken is bursting with incredible Indonesian flavor. Fast and simple to make, it comes together in less than 30 minutes!

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Gulai Nangka (Young Jackfruit Curry)

Learn how to make the best Indonesian-style young jackfruit curry (gulai nangka) in your pressure cooker (or stovetop). This will become your favorite dish

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Indonesian Pork Tenderloin

Indonesian flavors cover this tender juicy pork loin with perfection! A must-try recipe!

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Indonesian Beef Meatballs

Easy Indonesian Beef Meatballs with classic sweet, spicy, and umami Nasi Goreng flavors that are packed with flavor and are great party appetizers!

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Creamy Coconut Indonesian Fish Curry

Indonesian Fish Curry (Kari Ikan) is delicately spiced and gorgeously aromatic, ready in just 30 minutes.

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Sambal Jeruk Kasturi-Calamansi lime Sambal

Sambal Calamansi is an accompaniment to traditional Indonesian dinners. It's easy to make and delicious!

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You may also enjoy these recipes for delicious Indonesian Snacks!

Where to Stay When Visiting Indonesia

Though traveling to Indonesia does take a lot of time, knowing where to stay when you fly into Jakarta makes it easier. After a good night's sleep, you'll be refreshed and ready to explore. I picked up a travel guide before I left and it was so helpful to learn about the different regions before I arrived in the country.

Please let me know if you visit Indonesia. I'd love to read about your travels there!

And if you're intimidated about traveling around Asia, consider taking a cruise. I went on the Holland America Maasdam 20-day Southeast Asia cruise and saw six countries and only unpacked once. What could be better than traveling like that? Spend one day in Singapore before or after your cruise. It's a great city!

  • Delicious Indonesian Desserts
  • 12 Amazing Indonesian Snacks
  • Learning Traditional Games of Indonesia
  • 24 Hours in Gili Trawangan Indonesia
  • Where to Dive in Indonesia

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Paul

    WOW! i reaaaaaaaaally am loooooves this post! but psst, dont you think even you already write about 20 dishes, there’s still so many super yummy dishes out there! and, yess, i also eager to travel just because i really want to try the special and unique food from every places (i mean, what could be a better reason to travel :P) well. in the end. i loves your blog!

    Reply

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20 of my Favorite Recipes for Traditional Indonesian Food (2024)

FAQs

What are 3 traditional foods of Indonesia? ›

Here are 40 dishes we just can't live without.
  • Sambal. While technically more of a condiment, the chili-based sauce known as sambal is a staple at all Indonesian tables. ...
  • Satay. These tasty meat skewers cook up over coals so hot they need fans to waft the smoke away. ...
  • Bakso. ...
  • Soto. ...
  • Nasi goreng. ...
  • Gado-gado. ...
  • Nasi uduk. ...
  • Nasi padang.

What is the most popular dish in Indonesia? ›

Nasi Goreng (Fried Rice) is considered Indonesia's national dish.

Is Indonesian food oily? ›

Some of Indonesian street food are often considered unhealthy due to heavy use of deep frying technique. The example of such oily treats such as gorengan fritters, telur gulung (rolled deep-fried egg), ayam goreng and pecel lele.

What are the top 5 foods in Indonesia? ›

Don't leave Indonesia before You Get a Taste of These 12 Favorite Local Foods
  1. 1 | Nasi Goreng. Nasi Goreng means Fried Rice. ...
  2. 2 | Sate.
  3. 3 | Soto. Another food that can be found in almost every place in Indonesia is Soto or Soup. ...
  4. 4 | Gado-gado.
  5. 5 | Rendang.
  6. 6 | Bakso.
  7. 7 | Mie Ayam.
  8. 8 | Batagor.

What is the yummiest foods in Indonesia? ›

Indonesian Food: 50 of the Best Dishes You Should Eat
  • Daun Pepaya (papaya leaves) ...
  • Gulai Daun Singkong (curry cassava leaves) ...
  • Bakpao and Kopi (baozi and coffee) ...
  • Gado-gado (peanut sauce salad) ...
  • Mie Goreng (fried noodles) ...
  • Ketoprak (peanut sauce salad) ...
  • Tempeh (fermented soybean) ...
  • Gorengan (deep fried snacks)

Are there 5 national dishes in Indonesia? ›

Later in 2018, the same ministry has chosen 5 national dish of Indonesia; they are soto, rendang, satay, nasi goreng, and gado-gado.

What is the most important meal of the day in Indonesia? ›

Breakfast is the most important meal of the day hence the locals need something appetizing and fulfilling to prepare for a busy day. Heavy breakfast helps prevent hunger pangs and provides more energy for the body to function at it's best.

Is Indonesian food spicy? ›

Spicy food has always been a trend in Indonesia every year, since ancient times spices such as chilli, turmeric, ginger, and galangal have been an integral part of Indonesian cuisine. Influences from various cultures such as Chinese, Indian, Arab, and European also shape the variety of spicy dishes in Indonesia.

What is pig dish in Indonesia? ›

Fave 5 Indo Pork Dishes
  • Babi Guling Bali. Anyone who has been to Bali is no stranger to this suckling pig. ...
  • Tino Ransak Manado. Manado is another town in Indonesia where pork dishes are favoured, due to its large Christian community. ...
  • Babi Panggang Karo. ...
  • Sate Babi Manis Tangerang.
Aug 30, 2013

What is the traditional food of Bali? ›

There are staples and traditional Balinese dishes, such as nasi goreng, sate lilit, babi guling, and lawar, or try fusion dishes that combine Balinese and Western ingredients. Bali's food scene also includes vegetarian and vegan options, as well as organic and healthy choices.

What foods to avoid in Indonesia? ›

To reduce your risks of ingesting contaminated food, avoid eating:
  • Undercooked meat and seafood.
  • Street food from vendors that appear unclean.
  • Buffets unless from a reputable restaurant.
  • Peeled fruit.
  • Raw salads.
  • Cold or lukewarm food that should be hot.

Do Indonesians eat pork? ›

Pork is forbidden in Islam and eating it remains taboo among most Indonesian Muslims. But the meat is commonly consumed by millions of non-Muslims, including the country's ethnic Chinese population as well those living on the Hindu-majority island of Bali.

What is considered unclean in Indonesia? ›

Both the Muslim and Hindu faiths somewhat abhor the use of the left hand. It is considered 'unclean'; the left hand is traditionally perceived as the hand used to clean yourself in the toilet.

What are 3 famous foods? ›

Italian pizza is the most photographed food in the world
  • Pizza.
  • Burger.
  • Ramen.
  • Paella.
  • Pierogi.
  • Moussaka.
  • Boeuf Bourgignon.
  • Eisbein.
May 24, 2023

What are 3 popular foods? ›

filters
  • 1 Mashed potatoes86%
  • 2 French Fries86%
  • 3 Hamburgers85%
  • 4 Cheeseburger83%
  • 5 Grilled Cheese82%
  • 6 Steak and Baked potato82%
  • 7 Hash browns82%
  • 8 Fried Chicken82%

What are the 3 most eaten foods in the world? ›

There are more than 50,000 edible plants in the world, but just 15 of them provide 90 percent of the world's food energy intake. Rice, corn (maize), and wheat make up two-thirds of this.

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