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Food / Travel

Indonesia Recommendations

As an Indonesian, I've had the pleasure of growing up with some of the most flavorful and diverse dishes the culinary world has to offer. Indonesian cuisine is hands down my favorite cuisine!

Main Dishes

Rendang

Rendang

A rich and savory beef curry, celebrated for its deep, complex flavors.

Ayam Gulai

Ayam Gulai

Chicken green curry; my favorite dish growing up.

Gudeg

Gudeg

Jackfruit and beef stew, a sweet and savory dish I loved as a child.

Ayam Goreng Padang

Ayam Goreng / Ayam Padang

Classic fried chicken, usually served with spicy sides like chili.

Soto Ayam

Soto Ayam

Chicken noodle soup, a comforting and delicious street food.

Rawon

Rawon

A rich and savory beef soup with a slightly sour taste.

Mie Bakso

Mie Bakso

Indonesia's version of pho, a classic street food.

Ayam Kecap

Ayam Kecap

Chicken cooked in sweet dark soy sauce.

Satay Ayam

Satay Ayam

Grilled chicken skewers served with peanut sauce.

Nasi Goreng

Nasi Goreng

Iconic Indonesian fried rice.

Bihun Goreng

Bihun Goreng

Stir-fried rice noodles, my everyday lunch in elementary school; similar to Filipino pancit.

Bebek Betutu

Bebek / Ayam Betutu

Roasted duck or chicken, a classic Balinese dish. My dad recommends Bebek Tepi Sewah in Bali.

Sides / Appetizers

Perkedel

Perkedel

Fried balls of potato and meat, my favorite thing growing up; great with Ayam Gulai or rice.

Bakwan Jagung

Bakwan Jagung

Crispy and delicious corn fritters.

Sambal Goreng Ati

Sambal Goreng Ati / Kentang

Spicy mix of fried chicken liver and potatoes; highly addictive.

Risoles

Risoles

My favorite snack, a croquette usually filled with chicken.

Lemper Ayam

Lemper Ayam

Sticky rice filled with shredded chicken, wrapped in banana leaf.

Desserts

Sweet Martabak

Sweet Martabak

My childhood favorite; get the cheese and chocolate combo for an amazing treat.

Es Cendol

Es Cendol

A tropical drink with coconut milk, palm sugar syrup, and green rice flour jelly; similar to halo-halo.

Klepon

Klepon

Pandan rice flour balls filled with coconut sugar and coated in coconut flakes; the sugar explodes in your mouth when you bite it.

Kue Nastar

Kue Nastar

Pineapple tarts; a special New Year dessert, though not always available in Bali.