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.

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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!

Check out this recipe

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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!

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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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? ›

Recognized as Indonesia's all time favorite dish, Nasi Goreng or Fried rice is a meal that can be taken any time; for breakfast, lunch or even dinner.

What is the sample of Indonesian food? ›

Example of Indonesian Sundanese meal; ikan bakar (grilled fish), nasi timbel (rice wrapped in banana leaf), ayam goreng (fried chicken), sambal, fried tempeh and tofu, and sayur asem; the bowl of water with lime is kobokan.

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 are the common spices in Indonesian food? ›

Spices. Known as the "Spice Islands", the Indonesian islands of Maluku contributed to the introduction of its native spices to world cuisine. Spices such as pala (nutmeg/mace), cengkih (clove), daun pandan (Pandan leaves), kemiri (candlenut), keluak (Pangium edule) and lengkuas (galangal) are native to Indonesia.

What is Indonesia signature food? ›

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.

Which part of Indonesia has the best food? ›

Padang in Sumatra is Indonesia's most celebrated culinary region. The famed rendang is a Padang creation. This regional concept is infamous for its fiery hot chili infused gulai (curry). There are many unique facets to Padang food, not least how it is served.

What is the number one food in Indonesia? ›

1. Nasi Goreng (Indonesian Fried Rice) Let's kick off our culinary adventure with the crown jewel of Indonesian food – Nasi Goreng. This ubiquitous dish is a fragrant symphony of stir-fried rice, kecap manis (sweet soy sauce), tamarind, and an assortment of spices.

What is an Indonesian snack? ›

Various traditional Indonesian snacks, lemper, stuffed tofu, rolled omelette, risol, panada and fried uli.

What is Indonesia famous for? ›

Indonesia is known for its diverse tourist attractions. The country has an endless list of wonderful tourist places, from beaches and volcanoes to temples and museums. You can visit Mount Rinjani, Kuta Beach, Campuhan Ridge Walk, Sanur Beach, Saraswati, Borobudur temples, and much more.

What is the most popular snack in Indonesia? ›

One of the most famous snacks in Indonesia is batagor, a fried fish dumpling served in a traditional spicy sauce. It has roots in the Chinese culinary tradition, which has left a trace on many Indonesian dishes.

Which is the traditional food? ›

Traditional foods are foods and dishes that are passed on through generations or which have been consumed for many generations. Traditional foods and dishes are traditional in nature, and may have a historic precedent in a national dish, regional cuisine or local cuisine.

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