Indonesian food is full of hidden unique spices, there are plenty of Indonesian dish that will blow your mind through its taste and unique way of cooking. Each delicious Indonesian food passed-down traditional method of cooking down through the generations. Taste the luxury of Rendang, relish the taste of Satay, or enjoy the refreshing taste of Gado-Gado. Here, we bring you a curated list of 10 Best Indonesian food in Indonesia that you don’t wanna miss out!
Let’s Discover Some of Popular Best Indonesian Food
1. Rendang (Sumatran Indonesian Dry Curry)
2. Nasi Goreng (Fried Rice) – Popular Indonesian Food
Nasi goreng, or Indonesian “fried rice,” is one of Indonesia’s iconic food taste. The dish is usually flavored and made from stir-fried pre-cooked rice and accompanied by mixed vegetables from a mix of vegetables to flesh (chicken or shrimp) and topped with a fried egg. Nasi goreng is an Indonesian cuisine achieves its distinctive taste by employing kecap manis or sweet soy sauce that tints rice dark brown and infuses it with caramel notes and spices like garlic and shallots. However, in some region Nasi Goreng is cook differently, like in Jakarta will sauce use will be sweet soy sauce while in Surabaya will be using tomato sauce.
3. Sate (Satay with Peanut Sauce)
Satay or sate is an Indonesian traditional food composed of meat that is grilled and skewered, commonly marinated in spices and served with a thick sauce. Satay is popular among Indonesian street food from Java. It is also popular Indonesian throughout Southeast Asia. Beef, chicken, goat, and lamb are the most commonly used meats, cut into small sizes and placed on bamboo sticks. Once charcoal grilled, satay is traditionally eaten with peanut sauce or kecap manis and ketupat or lontong rice cakes. Satay has a broad-based popularity that lies not just on its lip-smacking flavor but also its variety since there are regional flavors such as Satay Madura and Satay Padang. Both with different flavors and sauces and with its own regional flavorings of local culinary tradition. Satay is famous worldwide and has become renowned as one of the most sought-after Indonesian foods.
4. Bakso (Meatball Soup)
Another popular street food is Bakso, its ingredients is using beef and tapioca flour which give a compact texture sensation. Some also innovate the making of Bakso from chicken, fish, or shrimp. This dish will be served in tasty broth with other ingredients like noodles, tofu, vegetables and other condiments.
5. Rawon (Beef Soup)
Rawon is must try traditional Indonesian beef soup local food. It is one of the best and delicious food, uniquely made of keluak nuts, a unique ingredient that imparts an earthy and nutty flavor to the broth. This soup is containt tender beef with a blend of aromatic spices including garlic, shallots, ginger, turmeric, and lemongrass. Rawon is typically served with rice and garnished with salted eggs or shrimp crackers. In 2024, it was even rated as the world’s best soup by TasteAtlas, highlighting its cultural importance and culinary appeal on both local and international stages. There are some of other things the other.
6. Gudeg (Green Jackfruit Sweet Stew)
Don’t miss out, Gudeg! It is an authentic taste of Indonesian traditional dish that use primarily unripe young jackfruit (nangka muda), being stewed for hours in palm sugar and coconut milk. The sweet and dark brown-colored dish is typically served with the cooking process using teak leaves, adding color and off-the-beaten-path flavor to the dish. Topped with white rice, gudeg is accompanied by side dishes of chicken (typically cooked as opor ayam or fried), hard-boiled eggs, tofu, tempeh, and spicy condiment of sambel goreng krecek. One of the best places to try is in Yogyakarta City.
7. Martabak
One of beloved Indonesian dish is Martabak. They have two kinds which are savory Martabak and sweet Martabak. The savory version, known as martabak telur, features a thin, crispy dough filled with a mixture of eggs, minced meat, and spices. While martabak manis is a thick, sweet pancake filled with indulgent ingredients like chocolate, cheese, and peanuts, making it a favorite Indonesian dessert.
8. Gado-Gado
If you are into vegetarian and vegan Indonesian dish, then Gado-Gado is for you! you can enjoy traditional Indonesian salad with a mix of blanched and raw vegetables, hard-boiled eggs, tofu, and tempeh, all coated in peanut sauce. Gado-gado is often considered one of Indonesia’s national dishes and is widely enjoyed across the archipelago. The salad typically includes ingredients such as cabbage, bean sprouts, green beans, potatoes, cucumbers, and lettuce, with the peanut sauce that gives a sweet and savory taste.
9. Soto
Soto is made using traditional spices like turmeric that turn the broth into yellowish. This soup is served various toppings like chicken and beef along with rice and other condiments. Your food experience will be creamy or clear depends on which soto region you try. It is a perfect dish to cure your illness.
10. Indomie
Meet Indomie! the famous Indonesian food that surely you don’t wanna miss while visiting. Their very first is the dry friend noodle variant, but now there are plenty of others that you can taste.
11. Ayam Bakar Kalasan
Ayam Bakar Kalasan is one of those classic Javanese dishes you just have to try when you’re in Yogyakarta. It’s basically grilled chicken, but what makes it stand out is the way it’s cooked.
The chicken is first simmered in coconut milk mixed with spices like garlic, coriander, galangal, and a touch of palm sugar, so the flavor really soaks in. Then it gets grilled until the outside is a little smoky and caramelized while the inside stays juicy and tender.
Usually, it’s served with warm rice, fresh veggies, and of course, a spicy sambal on the side. Simple, flavorful, and totally comforting it’s the kind of meal that feels like home.
12. Bebek Goreng (Fried Duck)
Bebek Goreng, or fried duck, is one of those classic Indonesian comfort foods you can’t miss. The duck is usually marinated with loads of local spices like garlic, turmeric, and coriander, then cooked until tender before being deep fried until the skin turns perfectly crispy.
The result? Crunchy on the outside, juicy and flavorful on the inside. It’s almost always served with a plate of hot steamed rice, spicy sambal, and some fresh veggies on the side.
It is simple, but seriously satisfying. You’ll find Bebek Goreng everywhere in Indonesia, from small roadside warungs to fancy restaurants, and no matter where you try it, it’s always a crowd favorite.
13. Nasi Campur Dish Bali
Nasi Campur Bali is one of the island’s most beloved traditional dishes, offering a vibrant mix of flavors in a single plate.
Literally meaning “mixed rice,” it features a serving of white rice surrounded by a variety of side dishes such as spicy lawar (a minced meat and vegetable mix with grated coconut), sate lilit (Balinese minced fish or chicken satay wrapped around a stick), ayam betutu (slow-cooked spiced chicken), fried tempeh, vegetables, peanuts, sambal matah (a raw shallot chili relish), and sometimes crispy pork.
What makes Nasi Campur Bali special is the harmony of taste spicy, savory, sweet, and fragrant all reflecting Bali’s rich culinary traditions. It’s a meal that not only satisfies hunger but also offers an authentic experience of the island’s culture and heritage.
