must-try food Indonesia
our top 10 traditional Indonesian foods you have to try
nasi goreng
fried rice
What is it?
Nasi goreng is one of Indonesia’s five national dishes and among its most famous. It translates to "fried rice" (nasi meaning rice, goreng meaning fried), but this isn’t just any fried rice—it’s arguably one of the best in the world. The secret to its rich, savoury-sweet flavour is kecap manis (sweet soy sauce), which is stir-fried into the rice, giving it its signature taste.
What is in it?
Cooked leftover rice is stir-fried with kecap manis, garlic, and shallots. It’s often served with spring onions, a fried egg on top (or scrambled into the rice), and meat such as chicken, beef, or fish. Common accompaniments include cucumber, tomato, and kerupuk (prawn crackers). Extra kecap manis can be added to taste.
Where can I eat it?
Nasi goreng is widely available throughout Indonesia, from street food vendors to restaurants, so you won’t have any trouble finding it.
Dairy free. Vegetarian & vegan versions available.
gado-gado
peanut salad
What is it?
Gado-Gado is one of Indonesia’s most famous peanut sauce-based salads. Originally from Jakarta, it features a mix of vegetables, along with egg, tempeh, and tofu, all covered in a delicious peanut sauce. The name gado-gado means "mix-mix," reflecting its combination of ingredients.
What is in it?
The peanut sauce is made from peanuts, kecap manis (sweet soy sauce), chilies, lime juice, tamarind paste, garlic, shallots, salt, and sugar. The dish typically includes boiled potatoes and eggs, fried tofu and tempeh, lontong (compressed rice cake), and a mix of vegetables such as bean sprouts, carrots, cucumber, cabbage, spinach, and green beans—either raw or lightly blanched. It’s usually topped with kerupuk (crackers) for added crunch.
Where can I eat it?
Gado-Gado is widely available across Indonesia and is one of the most common dishes on restaurant menus.
Dairy free. Vegetarian. Vegan versions available.
saté
chicken skewers
What is it?
Sate is one of Indonesia’s national dishes, originally from Java but popular throughout the country and beyond. It consists of skewered, grilled meat, typically served with a rich and flavourful peanut sauce or sometimes other types of sauces.
What is in it?
The most common version is chicken sate, though lamb and goat are also popular. Chicken sate is often marinated with turmeric—giving it a yellow colour—along with garlic, coriander, kecap manis (sweet soy sauce), and lime juice. The peanut sauce is made from peanuts, garlic, sugar, kecap manis, lime juice, and sometimes coconut milk for added richness. Sate is often served with lontong or ketupat (steamed rice cakes) and other accompaniments.
Where can I eat it?
As one of Indonesia’s national dishes, sate is commonly found as street food and is also popular in restaurants throughout the country.
Dairy free.
batagor
fish dumplings in peanut sauce
What is it?
Batagor is the fried version of siomay, which consists of chewy fish dumplings made with tapioca. These dumplings are served with a delicious peanut sauce.
What is in it?
The fried fish dumplings are typically made from ground mackerel or other white fish mixed with tapioca flour, giving them their signature chewy texture. The thick peanut sauce is made from ground peanuts, kecap manis (sweet soy sauce), lime juice, sugar, garlic, and sometimes spicy sambal.
Where can I eat it?
Batagor is one of Indonesia's most popular street foods, commonly found throughout the country and often sold alongside siomay.
gudeg
jackfruit curry
What is it?
Gudeg is a sweet jackfruit curry made with palm sugar and coconut milk, originating from Yogyakarta, and is likely its most famous dish. It is often served with rice and various side dishes.
What is in it?
Gudeg is made from unripe jackfruit stewed in coconut milk with palm sugar, coriander, galangal, bay leaves, candlenuts, teak leaves, and garlic. It’s commonly served with rice, chicken, and a boiled egg, which takes on a similar color to the dish. The dish is also accompanied by krecek, a spongy cracker made from cow or buffalo skin.
Where can I eat it?
Yogyakarta is the best place to try Gudeg, especially down Wijilan Street (often called gudeg street), which has numerous restaurants specializing in the dish. A good option is Gudeg Yu Djum on Wijilan 31. While it's most common in Yogyakarta, you can also find it throughout Java and in Javanese restaurants in other parts of the country.
Dairy & gluten free. Vegetarian & vegan versions available.
nasi kuning
tumeric coconut rice
What is it?
Nasi Kuning is rice cooked with coconut milk and turmeric, giving it its distinctive yellow colour (kuning means yellow) and soft, delicious texture. It’s typically served with various side dishes and is a popular breakfast choice. A cone-shaped version, called tumpeng, is often served at celebrations.
What is in it?
The rice is cooked with coconut milk, turmeric, and lemongrass, with additional ingredients like pandan or kaffir leaves sometimes added. Common sides include shredded omelette, chicken (whole or shredded), fried tempe, serundeng (spiced grated coconut), crackers, meat floss, and many other options.
Where can I eat it?
Popular throughout Indonesia, Nasi Kuning is often sold for breakfast with different sides depending on the region. We had a really good one, popular with locals, at Nasi Kuning Muna Cung in Yogyakarta, but its only open until midday.
lontong sayur
rice cake curry
What is it?
Lontong Sayur is a dish from Java consisting of longtong (rice cakes) served in a vegetable and coconut-based curry. A similar dish called Ketupat Sayur also exists, where longtong is replaced by another type of rice cake known as ketupat.
What is in it?
Lontong, shredded chayote (a type of squash), and often some or all of the following: boiled eggs cooked in the curry sauce, kikil (beef skin cracker), tempe, tofu, and krupuk crackers. The curry sauce is made from coconut milk, turmeric, coriander, lemongrass, galangal, chilies, garlic, salt, and pepper.
Where can I eat it?
It's fairly common throughout Java, as well as in Sumatra and Kalimantan, with regional variations. It’s less common in other parts of Indonesia, but can still be found in restaurants serving Javanese cuisine. We had a great version in Yogyakarta at Nasi Liwet Dan Lontong Opor Dapoer.
Dairy & gluten free. Vegetarian & vegan versions available.
ketoprak
peanut noodles
What is it?
A vegetarian noodle dish from Jakarta featuring rice cake and vermicelli noodles covered in a delicious, thick peanut sauce.
What is in it?
Bihun (rice vermicelli noodles) with rice cake, either lontong or ketupat, along with fried tofu, bean sprouts, crackers, and sometimes an egg (fried or boiled). The sauce is made from crushed peanuts, chilies, kecap manis, salt, sugar, and garlic.
Where can I eat it?
A very popular street food in Jakarta, Ketoprak is also fairly common throughout Java. We had a really good one at Ketoprak Jakarta Mas Naryo in Yogyakarta, but be aware it only opens in the evening. Outside of Java, you are unlikely to find it except in restaurants specializing in Javanese cuisine.
Vegetarian. Dairy free. Vegan versions available.
jagung bakar
grilled and spiced corn on a cob
What is it?
Grilled corn on the cob (jagung means corn, bakar means grilled), typically cooked over hot coals in the Indonesian style. It’s a cheap, fresh, and delicious street food snack that can be salty, sweet, and spicy all at once, simple but really tasty.
What is in it?
Corn on the cob brushed with butter and salt, then coated with kecap manis (sweet soy sauce) and chili powder.
Where can I eat it?
A fairly common street food throughout Indonesia, often found at street markets with some regional variations. Some of the best ones we found were throughout Java.
Vegetarian.
rendang
slow cooked beef in coconut milk
What is it?
One of Indonesia’s national dishes, rendang is a slow-cooked beef dish in a coconut milk-based sauce (Indonesians don’t consider it a curry due to its lack of liquid). Originating from West Sumatra, it is rich, tasty, and simmered in coconut milk and spices until most of the liquid has been absorbed, leaving the meat tender and delicious.
What is in it?
Beef (though other meats can be used), slow-cooked in coconut milk with chilies, garlic, galangal, lemongrass, turmeric, shallots, coriander, cumin, and nutmeg. It is typically served with rice or ketupat (compressed rice cakes) or as part of a nasi padang meal.
Where can I eat it?
Sumatra is the best place to try it. We had an excellent version as part of a nasi padang meal at Restoran Sari Raso in Padang. Due to the popularity of Padang cuisine, you can find rendang throughout Indonesia, just look for restaurants serving Padang food.
Dairy & gluten free. Vegetarian & vegan versions available.
Ingredients listed reflect common or typical components of this dish as served in restaurants or street‑food vendors. Variations by region, season, or vendor are common. This information is provided for general reference only. If you have dietary restrictions or allergies, please verify ingredient details independently. We assume no liability for accuracy or outcomes.
