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

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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.

Check out this recipe

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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!

Check out this recipe

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Spicy Indonesian Street Cart Noodles

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

Check out this recipe

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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.

Check out this recipe

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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!

Check out this recipe

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Soto Ayam

A delicious version of chicken soup with an Indonesian flare!

Check out this recipe

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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!

Check out this recipe

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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!

Check out this recipe

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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!

Check out this recipe

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Chicken Rendang

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

Check out this recipe

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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.

Check out this recipe

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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!

Check out this recipe

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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

Check out this recipe

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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!

Check out this recipe

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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.

Check out this recipe

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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!

Check out this recipe

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 is the most popular traditional food in Indonesia? ›

Considered Indonesia's national dish, nasi goreng is a fried rice with sweet, thick soy sauce and acar, pickled cucumber and carrots. One of Indonesia's favorite comfort foods, soto is a traditional meat soup comprises of ingredients that vary across the country.

What are the basic ingredients of Indonesian cuisine? ›

What are the key ingredients in Indonesian cooking?
  • Candlenut.
  • Coconut milk.
  • Fish sauce.
  • Rice Flour.
  • Galangal.
  • Lime leaves.
  • Kecap manis.
  • Lemongrass.
Jul 13, 2020

What is the name of Indonesian food? ›

Staple foods
NameOrigin/PopularityType
KetanNationwideRice dumpling or rice cake
KetupatNationwideRice dumpling or rice cake
KwetiauNationwideRice noodles
LemangMalay and MinangkabauRice dish
9 more rows

What are three traditional foods of Indonesia? ›

  • Indonesian Dining Etiquette. Meals are served family-style, with big plates and bowls placed in the middle of a table and small bowls for everybody. ...
  • Nasi Goreng. Nasi Goreng is beloved by all Indonesians fried rice. ...
  • Sate. ...
  • Gado – Gado. ...
  • Ikan Bakar. ...
  • Pepes Ikan (Daging or others) ...
  • Tempeh. ...
  • Ayam Goreng.
Jul 22, 2020

What do they drink in Indonesia? ›

10 Special Drinks of Indonesia, Rich in Benefits
  • Wedang Uwuh. This drink originating from Yogyakarta has a sweet, warm taste, with a very relaxing aroma of spices. ...
  • Kawa Daun. It is a typical Indonesian drink originating from Padang, West Sumatra. ...
  • Teh Talua. ...
  • Teh Gaharu. ...
  • Sarabba. ...
  • Ie Seureubet. ...
  • Bir pletok. ...
  • Bajigur.
May 22, 2023

What is the main religion in Indonesia? ›

According to the most recent census from 2010, 87.2 percent of the population is Muslim, 7 percent Protestant, 2.9 percent Roman Catholic, and 1.7 percent Hindu.

What is the most common ingredient used in Indonesian cuisine? ›

Most Indonesian dishes use fresh herbs such as onion and garlic, spring onion, ginger roots, turmeric, galangal, candlenuts, lemon basil, lemon grass, and not to mention chilli [7]. In addition to these fresh herbs, the inclusion of spices is at the heart of almost every Indonesian dish.

What is the number one food in Indonesia? ›

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

What is the most popular fast food in Indonesia? ›

Crispy chicken, french fries, and burgers are the most commonly consumed types of fast food in Indonesia.

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.

What is a traditional meal 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 street food in Indonesia? ›

Much street food in Indonesia is fried, such as assorted gorengan (fritters), also nasi goreng (fried rice), mie goreng (fried noodles) and ayam goreng (fried chicken), while bakso meatball soup, traditional soto soups and fruit rujak are also popular.

What is the most popular tradition in Indonesia? ›

Some of the most famous traditional festivals in Indonesia are Nyepi Day in Bali, Galungan and Kuningan in Bali, Eid al-Fitr and Waisak Day in Borobudur in Central Java. Nyepi Day is a Hindu celebration of the New Year, marked with a day of silence and introspection.

What is the most produced food in Indonesia? ›

The main staple food crop in Indonesia is rice, which is produced mainly in irrigated or lowland systems. The other food crops are called palawija or secondary crops because they are usually grown after lowland rice, the first crop in the one-year crop rotation system.

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