As I was about to savor a plate of Nasi Padang, a friendly local at the next table remarked, “The secret is in the fresh spices and herbs. That’s what makes Indonesian food so special.”
Looking at the incredible array of dishes across Indonesia, and noting the generous use of fresh herbs and a vibrant mix of spices, it’s clear he was right. This is a key reason why Indonesian cuisine is such a flavorful and captivating culinary adventure.
In this guide, we’ll embark on a delicious exploration of Indonesian Food, highlighting 50 incredibly tasty dishes you simply must try. Prepare yourself for a deep dive into the rich and diverse flavors of Indonesia!
Related: Planning a trip to Jakarta? Get insider tips with this Jakarta travel guide.
Experience the authentic taste of Indonesian home-cooked Sundanese cuisine.
50 Indonesian Dishes You Need to Try
It’s important to note that this list is just the beginning. Indonesian cuisine is incredibly vast and diverse, boasting thousands of unique dishes. This guide is designed to be your starting point for discovering the incredible flavors of Indonesia. Some personal favorites, like durian and petai, are included simply because they are such integral parts of the Indonesian food landscape.
For each dish in this Indonesian food guide, you’ll find a description and, where possible, the name of a recommended restaurant in Jakarta where I enjoyed it. (You might also find my Jakarta travel guide helpful for your culinary explorations).
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Savor the smoky and sweet flavors of Sate Ayam, a quintessential Indonesian street food.
This list of Indonesian food is presented in no particular order, as each dish offers a unique and delicious experience.
1. Sate Ayam / Sate Kambing (Satay)
Satay, or sate, is a beloved dish throughout Southeast Asia, but Indonesian food takes it to another level. Many consider Indonesia to be home to some of the best satay in Asia. In Jakarta, two popular versions are sate ayam (chicken satay) and sate kambing (goat satay).
A common preparation involves marinating the meat in sweet kecap manis soy sauce before skewering. The secret to the incredible flavor of Indonesian food satay lies in grilling the skewers over intensely hot charcoal. This rapid cooking method ensures the meat remains juicy and infused with a smoky aroma.
Where to try: Sate H. Romli in South Jakarta is renowned for its delicious sate ayam and sate kambing.
Address: Jalan Kyai Maja No.21, Melawai, Kby. Baru, Kota Jakarta Selatan, Daerah Khusus Ibukota Jakarta
Open hours: 10 am – 12 midnight daily
Price: Approximately 67,000 IDR ($4.99) for 2 plates of sate.
Witness the art of grilling Sate Padang, a unique Indonesian satay variety.
2. Sate Padang (Padang Satay)
Sate Padang is a truly distinctive and flavorful type of Indonesian food satay that deserves its own spotlight. Originating from Padang, a food-centric province on the west coast of Sumatra, Sate Padang has gained a devoted following among food enthusiasts. After just one plate, you’ll understand why.
The skewers, often featuring beef, beef tongue, and offal, are marinated in a rich spice blend, grilled over charcoal, and then served atop sliced ketupat (compressed rice cake). The dish is generously smothered in a thick, flavorful brown sauce and garnished with crispy shallots. While not the most visually striking Indonesian food, Sate Padang is an explosion of taste.
Where to try: Ajo Ramon Sate Padang, located in Pasar Santa, Jakarta, is a local favorite for authentic Sate Padang.
Address: Pasar Santa Jalan Cipaku 1 Jakarta
Open hours: 5 pm – 10 pm daily
Price: Around 25,000 IDR for a plate of sate with rice cakes.
Ayam Bakar Taliwang: A spicy grilled chicken experience for adventurous palates.
3. Ayam Bakar Taliwang (Grilled Chicken Taliwang)
Imagine a grilled chicken so delicious you could devour three in one sitting! Ayam Bakar Taliwang might just make that happen. These chickens are typically small, either free-range or spring chickens, but packed with flavor.
This Indonesian food specialty hails from Lombok island and is a must-try for spicy food lovers. The generous coating of chilies on Ayam Bakar Taliwang signals a truly transformative grilled chicken experience, and it lives up to the hype.
The chicken is incredibly flavorful, with a satisfying texture that releases more and more juices with each bite. The spicy kick is perfectly balanced with the savory chicken. If you appreciate spicy Indonesian food, Ayam Bakar Taliwang is not to be missed.
Where to try: Ayam Taliwang Rinjani in Jakarta is a great place to experience this dish, especially their super spicy “extra pedas” version.
Address: Jalan Pesanggrahan Raya No. 50, Puri Indah, Jakarta
Open hours: 10 am – 10 pm daily
Price: Around 165,000 IDR ($12.39) for 3 chickens and side dishes.
Ikan Bakar: Simple yet exquisite Indonesian grilled fish.
4. Ikan Bakar (Grilled Fish)
Even after countless meals of ikan bakar, Indonesian food grilled fish, its incredible flavor never gets old. Grilled fish is a global favorite, but Indonesia truly excels at it. Like many grilled dishes in Indonesian food, ikan bakar is grilled over intense charcoal heat, quickly searing the fish and imparting a fantastic smoky, fire-roasted taste.
Ikan bakar comes in many variations. Typically, the fish is butterflied, marinated in a sambal sauce, and then grilled to perfection. It’s usually served with kecap manis or a selection of sambal chili sauces and rice.
Where to try: Ikan bakar is widely available at roadside eateries and seafood restaurants. Gebang Seafood 49 Restaurant is a local seafood spot worth trying.
Address: Jalan Hidup Baru, Jakarta
Open hours: 5 pm – around midnight daily
Price: Approximately 180,000 IDR ($13.77) for 2 fish and other seafood dishes.
Pepes Ikan: Aromatic Indonesian fish steamed in banana leaves.
5. Pepes (Herbal Packet)
Pepes is reminiscent of Thai aeb, but it’s the Indonesian food version of cooking fish, meat, or tofu with a medley of healthy herbs and spices, all wrapped in a banana leaf and then steamed or grilled.
Originating as a Sundanese dish from West Java, common pepes variations include chicken, fish, tofu, or mushrooms. These are combined with shallots, garlic, chilies, turmeric, candlenut, and lemon basil. The banana leaf wrapping is key, infusing the ingredients with a unique green aroma and allowing the flavors to meld beautifully during cooking.
Where to try: While enjoyed at a restaurant in Bogor, pepes is a staple at most Sundanese restaurants throughout Indonesia.
Babi Panggang: Batak-style grilled pork with intense smoky flavors.
6. Babi Panggang (Batak Grilled Pork)
On a whim, I ventured into a Batak restaurant in Jakarta, seeking Indonesian food from the Lake Toba region of Sumatra. One traditional Batak dish that stood out was babi panggang, a type of grilled or roasted pork.
Babi panggang encompasses various grilled pork preparations, but the version I tasted was perfectly salty and possessed an unparalleled fire-roasted flavor. The pork was beautifully marbled, offering a succulent and juicy texture without being overly fatty.
Where to try: Lapo Ni Tondongta is a well-known Batak restaurant in Jakarta where you can savor amazing babi panggang.
Address: Jalan Gelora Los A1, Senayan, Jakarta
Open hours: 10 am – 10 pm daily
Price: Approximately 88,000 IDR ($6.62) for a meal for two.
Ayam Goreng: Crispy Indonesian fried chicken, elevated with local flavors.
7. Ayam Goreng (Fried Chicken)
Fried chicken is a global comfort food, and Indonesian food embraces it wholeheartedly. Ayam goreng, as it’s known in Bahasa Indonesia, is exceptional due to the quality of the chicken and the indispensable sambal chili sauce served alongside.
Ayam kampung, or village chickens, are popular free-range chickens in Indonesia, often used for local-style ayam goreng. These smaller chickens are incredibly flavorful. Unlike larger, sometimes overly tender chickens, ayam kampung has a slightly firmer texture that releases more intense chicken flavor with each chew.
Indonesian food ayam goreng often involves marinating the chicken in pureed garlic and shallots, lightly battering it, and deep-frying it to a golden crisp. The flavor is infused into the chicken itself rather than being concentrated in a thick batter.
Where to try: Ayam goreng is available everywhere in Jakarta. The version pictured is from Nasi Uduk Zainal Fanani, a popular spot for Betawi cuisine.
Address: Jalan Kebon Kacang 8 No. 5, Daerah Khusus Ibukota Jakarta
Open hours: 10 am – 12 am midnight daily
Price: Around 75,000 IDR ($5.74) for 2.
Bebek Goreng: Deep-fried crispy duck, a rich and flavorful Indonesian delicacy.
8. Bebek Goreng (Fried Duck)
Similar to ayam goreng, bebek goreng, Indonesian food fried duck, features small, flavorful country ducks. While the bebek goreng I tried in Jakarta was quite greasy and salty, it was undeniably delicious, every bite down to the bone.
The duck is deep-fried to a crisp, with the skin and even some of the meat achieving a delightful crunch. Served with rice, fresh herbs like lemon basil (to balance the richness), and of course, sambal chili sauce, Indonesian food bebek goreng is a truly indulgent meal.
Where to try: Bebek Goreng H. Slamet is a legendary Jakarta restaurant for deep-fried duck. They have multiple locations around the city.
Price: Approximately 28,000 IDR ($2.11) per set.
Pecel Lele: Deep-fried catfish, a popular Indonesian street food.
9. Pecel Lele (Fried Catfish)
Pecel lele, Indonesian food deep-fried catfish, is a ubiquitous street food, often found at roadside warungs (food stalls). In Jakarta, especially at night, you’ll see countless stalls advertising catfish on their menus.
The catfish preparation is simple: salted and sometimes seasoned with coriander and turmeric, then deep-fried until incredibly crispy. The catfish in Indonesia tend to be small, almost sausage-sized, resulting in a chip-like crispiness when fried.
As with many Indonesian food dishes, the magic of pecel lele lies in the sambal. Crispy catfish paired with rice and a generous dollop of sambal creates a truly satisfying bite.
Where to try: Permata Mubarok 1, while a bit outside central Jakarta, is a great street food tent for pecel lele.
Address: Komplek Permata Buana, Jalan Puri Kembangan, Puri Indah, Jakarta
Open hours: 5 pm – 10 pm daily
Price: Around 125,000 IDR ($9.41) for a meal for 4 people.
Ikan Goreng: Crispy Indonesian deep-fried fish, a seafood lover’s delight.
10. Ikan Goreng (Deep Fried Fish)
Alongside ikan bakar, ikan goreng, Indonesian food deep-fried fish, is another common and delicious way to prepare seafood. Countless fish varieties can be used for ikan goreng, but a Sundanese specialty is fried freshwater gourami. The fish is sometimes scored to expose more skin to the hot oil, resulting in incredibly crispy skin and outer layers.
If you love fish, Indonesian food ikan goreng, enjoyed with rice and sambal, makes a fantastic meal, either as a main course or part of a larger seafood spread.
Where to try: Seafood 212 Wiro Sableng is a great restaurant to enjoy ikan goreng as part of an amazing seafood feast.
Address: Jalan Boulevard Raya Blok QA III No. 2, Kelapa Gading, Jakarta
Open hours: 11 am – 11 pm daily.
Soto Betawi: Creamy and flavorful beef soup, a Jakarta culinary icon.
11. Soto Betawi (Jakarta Soup)
Jakarta, Indonesia’s bustling capital, is a melting pot of cultures and cuisines from across the archipelago. This diversity is reflected in its food scene, where you can find dishes from Padang, Manado, Java, and beyond.
However, Soto Betawi stands out as a uniquely Jakarta dish. Soto refers to soup in Indonesian food, and Betawi are the indigenous people of Batavia, the old Dutch name for Jakarta.
Soto Betawi is typically made with beef, simmered with aromatic herbs like lemongrass and Indonesian bay leaves. It’s flavored with candlenut, galangal, garlic, and shallots, and finished with a creamy blend of fresh cow milk and coconut milk. Served in a bowl topped with crispy fried shallots, and accompanied by rice and Indonesian pickles (acar), Soto Betawi was a culinary highlight of my Jakarta trip and a must-try Indonesian food.
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Where to try: Soto Betawi Haji Husein is one of Jakarta’s most renowned spots for authentic Soto Betawi.
Address: Jalan Padang Panjang No. 6C, Kel. Pasar Manggis, Jakarta
Open hours: 7 am – 2 pm from Saturday – Thursday (closed on Friday)
Price: Approximately 110,000 IDR ($8.34) for 4 bowls of soto and rice.
Sop Kaki Kambing: A hearty and flavorful goat leg soup for adventurous eaters.
12. Sop Kaki Kambing (Goat Leg Soup)
Sharing a similar flavor profile with Soto Betawi but venturing into more adventurous territory, sop kaki kambing is Indonesian food for meat lovers, especially goat enthusiasts. Walking into a sop kaki kambing warung felt similar to entering a nyama choma restaurant in Kenya or Tanzania. Freshly skinned goats were often displayed, and the meat was gradually prepared and showcased.
When ordering sop kaki kambing, you can choose your preferred goat parts, which are pre-cooked. Common choices include goat feet, eye sockets, and brain. These are added to a bowl and covered in a lightly creamy and buttery soup.
Where to try: Sudi Mampir Restaurant is a popular spot for sop kaki kambing.
Address: Jalan Biak Jakarta
Open hours: Around 5 pm – Midnight daily
Price: Approximately 208,000 IDR ($15.52) for two bowls of organ soup and sate.
Sop Buntut: Tender oxtail soup, a comforting Indonesian classic.
13. Sop Buntut (Oxtail Soup)
Another beloved Indonesian food soup is sop buntut, oxtail soup. The meat around the tail is incredibly tender and flavorful.
Unlike the creamy soups mentioned earlier, sop buntut is typically a clear soup. Oxtail is simmered in broth with carrots and potatoes, creating a salty and lightly peppery broth with hints of nutmeg and cinnamon to balance any gaminess. Like other Indonesian food soups, sop buntut is served with rice and condiments like fresh chopped chilies and kecap manis.
Where to try: Sop Buntut Cut Meutia is a local restaurant near Cut Meutia Mosque in Jakarta, serving delicious sop buntut.
Address: Jalan Menteng Kecil No. 4/5, Menteng, Jakarta
Open hours: 9 am – 4 pm daily
Price: Around 40,000 IDR for a bowl.
Bakso: Bouncy Indonesian meatballs, a popular street food and comfort food.
14. Bakso (Indonesian Meatballs)
Bakso, or baso, Indonesian food meatballs, is a widely available street food loved by nearly everyone, even former US President Barack Obama, who spent part of his childhood in Jakarta.
Two main styles exist: Chinese-style and local Indonesian-style, both equally delicious. Bakso recipes usually include minced meat mixed with tapioca starch, which gives the meatballs their characteristic bouncy and addictive texture.
You can choose your noodles, from thin white rice noodles to yellow egg noodles (a personal favorite). Bakso is served either in soup with noodles or dry with soup on the side. While not inherently spicy, chilies and seasonings are always available to customize your bowl.
Where to try: Bakso Akiaw 99 is a popular Chinese-style bakso restaurant in Jakarta.
Address: Jalan Mangga Besar Raya No. 2B, Kec. Tamansari, Jakarta
Open hours: About 4 pm – 11 pm daily
Price: Approximately 93,000 IDR ($7.07) for a few bowls of meatballs and noodles.
Sayur Asem: Refreshing Indonesian sour soup, perfect for a hot day.
15. Sayur Asem (Sour Soup)
Sayur asem is a tangy tamarind soup that reminds me of Filipino sinigang or southern Thai sour soups, with its prominent tamarind sourness. A Sundanese and Betawi dish from West Java, sayur asem is a sour tamarind soup, sometimes made with meat or fish stock, and featuring vegetables like corn, chayote, and water morning glory.
As a lover of sour soups, sayur asem was instantly appealing. It’s the kind of sour soup that makes you slightly squint with each sip.
Where to try: Warung Mak Dower serves fantastic Betawi Indonesian food in Jakarta, including excellent sayur asem.
Address: Jl. Pemuda No. 72, Rawamangun, Jakarta
Open hours: 9 am – 9 pm daily
Price: Approximately 140,800 IDR for a full spread of dishes.
Coto Makassar: Rich and savory beef organ soup, a Makassar specialty.
16. Coto Makassar (Makassar Soup)
Another soto variation, but known as coto in Makassar, is a dark beef soup or stew originating from the foodie city of Makassar in South Sulawesi.
Coto Makassar features beef and all parts of the cow as key ingredients. The bowl I had in Jakarta was intensely beefy, containing intestines, tripe, lungs, and meat cubes in a murky, roasted peanut-based soup. It had a nutty and slightly sour flavor. Served unsalted, it allows you to customize the taste with salt, lime, and sambal. Ketupat rice cakes are a common accompaniment to coto Makassar.
Where to try: Coto Makassar Senen in Jakarta is a great place to try this Makassar specialty.
Address: Jalan Kramat Raya, Senen, Jakarta
Open hours: 1 pm – 8 pm daily
Price: Around 25,000 IDR ($1.89 USD) per bowl of coto.
Sop Konro: Fall-off-the-bone tender beef ribs in a flavorful Indonesian soup.
17. Sop Konro (Beef Ribs Soup)
Indonesian food offers so many exceptional dishes, but sop konro was a standout, truly blowing me away. The combination of incredibly tender meat and fresh herbs and sambal is simply breathtaking.
Also a Makassar dish from South Sulawesi, sop konro features beef ribs simmered in fragrant spices like coriander, galangal, lemongrass, cinnamon, nutmeg, and bay leaves. The meat becomes so tender it literally falls off the bones.
Where to try: Sop Konro Karebosi in Jakarta, located in Kelapa Gading, serves outstanding sop konro. They also offer konro bakar, grilled beef ribs, which are equally impressive.
Address: Jalan Boulevard Raya TA 2 No.38, Kelapa Gading, Jakarta
Open hours: 10 am – 10 pm daily.
Nasi Goreng: Indonesian fried rice, a globally recognized and beloved dish.
18. Nasi Goreng (Fried Rice)
Mention Indonesian food to anyone, and nasi goreng will likely be one of the first dishes that comes to mind. This simple yet satisfying wok-fried rice is a popular street food throughout Indonesia.
While perhaps not as complex as curries and richer dishes, Indonesian food nasi goreng is undeniably enjoyable and a convenient, affordable meal. Street food carts offering nasi goreng can usually customize it with various ingredients like vegetables, chicken, egg, and stink beans (a personal recommendation).
The rice is stir-fried, often with margarine and oil, seasoned with crushed chili sambal and garlic, and mixed with kecap manis, giving it its distinctive Indonesian touch. Nasi goreng street food carts are ubiquitous in Jakarta and across Indonesia. My favorite version includes stink beans and a fried egg – the ultimate fried rice for me.
Where to try: Nasi goreng is available from countless street food stalls across Indonesia. In Jakarta, try the legendary goat fried rice at Nasi Goreng Kambing Kebon Sirih.
Nasi Uduk: Fragrant Indonesian coconut rice, often served with fried chicken and sambal.
19. Nasi Uduk (Coconut Rice)
The first bite of nasi uduk, a fragrant Indonesian food rice dish, reveals the richness of coconut milk and a delightful cardamom flavor.
Nasi uduk is similar to nasi lemak. Rice is cooked with aromatics like lemongrass, pandan leaves, and spices like coriander seed, bay leaves, sometimes cardamom, and crucially, coconut milk. The result is a savory, rich, and flavorful rice. Recipes vary across Indonesia. Nasi uduk can be paired with various curries and Indonesian food dishes, but in Jakarta, it’s often enjoyed with simple fried chicken and sambal.
Where to try: Nasi Uduk Zainal Fanani (also known as Nasi Uduk Kebon Kacang) serves Betawi-style nasi uduk.
Address: Jalan Kebon Kacang 8 No. 5, Daerah Khusus Ibukota Jakarta
Open hours: 10 am – 12 am midnight daily
Price: Around 75,000 IDR ($5.74) for 2.
Nasi Liwet: Aromatic Javanese rice cooked with coconut milk and chicken broth.
20. Nasi Liwet (Javanese Rice)
Similar to nasi uduk, nasi liwet is a traditional Javanese Indonesian food rice dish cooked with coconut milk and chicken broth, infused with the fragrance of bay leaves and lemongrass. It’s often served with side dishes and extra coconut cream.
During my time in Indonesia, I experienced an authentic Sundanese nasi liwet feast at a local home in Bogor, near Jakarta. The rice was incredibly fragrant and, alongside coconut milk, included small fried fish for added flavor and texture. We ate communally off banana leaves, piled with grilled chicken, curries, fresh herbs, and vegetables. It was one of the most memorable Indonesian food experiences I’ve had.
Where to try: While I enjoyed this dish home-cooked, I’d love to hear recommendations for good restaurants serving nasi liwet in the comments below!
Nasi Campur: Indonesian mixed rice, often featuring Chinese-style roasted meats.
21. Nasi Campur (Mixed Rice)
Nasi campur literally means “mixed rice.” In Malaysia, it typically refers to Malay-style rice and curry. However, in Jakarta, Indonesian food nasi campur often means rice served with various Chinese-style meats like char siu, pork belly, roast chicken, or egg, all drizzled with a sweet and tangy sauce – similar to Thai khao moo daeng.
I enjoyed several plates of nasi campur in Jakarta, each delicious and satisfying. It’s a great choice if you enjoy rice and pork with a sweet and savory sauce.
Where to try: Nasi Campur Yung Yung 99 is a well-known Jakarta restaurant for nasi campur.
Address: Ketapang Business Centre Blok A22, Jalan KH. Zainul Arifin, Jakarta
Open hours: 9 am – 8 pm daily
Price: Around 30,000 IDR per plate.
Bubur Ayam: Comforting Indonesian chicken congee, a popular breakfast and street food.
22. Bubur Ayam (Chicken Congee)
Every Southeast Asian country has its own version of rice porridge (congee), a result of significant Chinese influence. In Indonesia, bubur ayam, chicken rice porridge, is a common street food.
The rice is cooked until thick and hearty, yet easily digestible. While toppings can vary, chicken is a popular choice. At Bubur Ayam Barito, a famous Jakarta spot for rice porridge, a bowl comes topped with shredded chicken and is often enjoyed with skewers of fried chicken heart and other organs.
Where to try: Bubur ayam is a widely available Indonesian food street food in Jakarta. Try Bubur Ayam Barito for a renowned version.
Address: Jalan Gandaria Tengah 3, Kramat Pela, Kebayoran Baru, Jakarta
Open hours: 4 pm – 12 am midnight daily
Price: Approximately 42,000 IDR ($3.13) for 2 bowls and 2 skewers of organs.
Babi Guling: Balinese roasted pig, a crispy and flavorful island specialty.
23. Nasi Bali / Babi Guling (Roast Pork)
Almost every region in Indonesia has its own unique rice dish with various side dishes. Bali, predominantly Hindu, has a distinct culinary landscape, especially as pork is popular (unlike most of Indonesia, excluding Chinese and Christian communities).
Balinese cuisine utilizes flavorful spices and herbs like ginger, garlic, shallots, and chilies. Babi guling, roasted crispy pig, is one of Bali’s most famous dishes. If you’re visiting Bali, research the best babi guling spots.
Where to try: While best enjoyed in Bali, Little Ubud restaurant in Jakarta offers a great Balinese plate, including babi guling.
Address: Ruko Cordoba, Blok G No. 2, Bukit Golf Mediterania, Jl. Marina Indah Raya, Pantai Indah Kapuk, Jakarta
Open hours: 10 am – 11 pm daily
Price: Around 35,000 IDR per plate.
Nasi Padang: A legendary Indonesian meal, a symphony of flavors and dishes.
24. Nasi Padang (Padang Rice Curry)
Nasi Padang is arguably the most famous Indonesian food meal, a mix of rice and side dishes from Padang in West Sumatra. It’s so significant it deserves its own place on this list, and some of its component dishes are also highlighted below.
On my first trip to Sumatra, a Nasi Padang meal left an unforgettable impression. To this day, it remains one of my favorite meals worldwide. Padang food is known for fresh curry pastes with ingredients like galangal, turmeric, kaffir lime leaves, garlic, shallots, and herbs, combined with rich curries and coconut milk.
Nasi Padang is served in two main ways. At small stalls, you order pesan, choosing dishes placed on your individual rice plate. In established restaurants, hidang style presents around 20 dishes on your table, and you only pay for what you eat.
Where to try: Jakarta has countless Padang food restaurants. Rumah Makan Surya is a personal favorite.
Address: Jalan Bendungan Hilir Raya No.15, Bendungan Hilir, Jakarta
Open hours: 9 am – 8 pm daily
Price: Approximately 165,000 IDR ($12.52) for a wide selection of dishes.
Woku: A zesty and herbaceous Manado Indonesian soup curry.
25. Woku (Manado Soup Curry)
Woku is an Indonesian food spice blend from Sulawesi, featuring chilies, lemon basil, shallots, garlic, and tomatoes. Usually prepared with fish or chicken, woku can range from soupy to drier in consistency. My first taste of woku was transformative – intensely flavorful and utterly captivating.
Woku is both spicy and herb-heavy, with a distinct lemon basil taste, creating a refreshing yet fiery sensation. After weeks of exploring Manado food in Jakarta, woku became one of my favorite Indonesian food dishes.
Where to try: Any Manado food restaurant will serve woku. In Jakarta, Ikan Tude Manado offers a great version.
Address: Jalan Blora No. 28-29, Menteng, Jakarta
Open hours: 8 am – 11 pm daily
Price: Approximately 325,000 IDR ($24.57) for a meal for 4.
Rica-rica: Spicy and savory Manado Indonesian chili and herb dish.
26. Rica-rica (Manado Dish)
Like woku, rica-rica is a chili and herb blend from North Sulawesi. While woku is often turmeric-heavy and soupy, rica-rica is typically drier, like a sauce, packed with red chilies, shallots, and tomatoes.
Rica-rica has sweet and sour notes, alongside spiciness and chunky tomatoes. While recipes exist for various meats, ayam rica-rica, with chicken, is the most popular.
Where to try: Brama Kusu offers good Manado Indonesian food in Jakarta, including rica-rica.
Address: Jalan Panglima Polim Raya South Jakarta
Open hours: About 11 am – 8 pm daily
Price: Approximately 167,000 IDR for a full meal for two.
Gulai Kepala Ikan: Creamy and rich Indonesian fish head curry.
27. Gulai Kepala Ikan (Fish Head Curry)
After publishing my Singapore food guide, Indonesians suggested I try Indonesian food fish head curry. It was a must-try on my list.
Fish head curry is a broad term, with whole fish eaten across Indonesia. I categorize it as fish head curry when the head is the prominent part of the dish. Found at some Nasi Padang and Sumatran restaurants, the best fish head curry I had was at Medan Baru Restaurant in Jakarta. The fish head was drenched in an incredibly creamy coconut curry – simply amazing.
Where to try: Rumah Makan Medan Baru in Jakarta serves excellent gulai kepala ikan.
Address: Jalan Krekot Bunder No. 65, Pasar Baru, Sawah Besar, Jakarta
Open hours: 9 am – 9 pm daily
Price: Approximately 406,000 IDR ($30.69) for many dishes including a huge fish head.
Gulai Otak: Rich and creamy Indonesian brain curry, a unique Padang delicacy.
28. Gulai Otak (Brain Curry)
Often found at Nasi Padang restaurants, gulai otak is a curry featuring brain as the main ingredient. Goat and lamb brains are used, but cow brain is a popular Padang version, cooked in a spice-rich creamy curry sauce.
Cow brains are intensely rich and creamy, incredibly delicious but best enjoyed in moderation. Biting into Indonesian food Padang cow brain curry is an experience of pure creaminess, with a texture similar to panna cotta, completely silky smooth.
Where to try: Gulai otak is usually available at Nasi Padang restaurants. Nasi Padang Sari Bundo offered a good version.
Address: Jalan Ir Juanda No. 27, Jakarta
Open hours: 8 am – 10 pm daily
Price: Approximately 207,000 IDR for a meal for two with about 8 dishes.
Beef Rendang: World-renowned Indonesian beef rendang, rich in spices and flavor.
29. Beef Rendang (Rendang)
CNN’s survey for the world’s best foods crowned Indonesian food rendang as number one. While some items on that list might be debatable, rendang as a winner is perfectly justified. Rendang is an exceptionally delicious Indonesian dish.
Often made with beef, rendang originates from West Sumatra’s Minangkabau people and is common in Nasi Padang restaurants. It’s popular across Indonesia, Malaysia, and Singapore.
Two main rendang variations exist: a drier version (considered authentically original) with spices coating the meat, and a version with more curry gravy. Both are fantastic, depending on preference.
Rendang involves cooking spices like cinnamon, star anise, cardamom, and dry chilies, garlic, and shallots with meat. A key ingredient differentiating it from other curries is desiccated coconut, giving rendang a grainy texture mixed with incredible spice flavors.
Where to try: Rendang is a staple at Nasi Padang restaurants throughout Indonesia. Rumah Makan Surya Masakan Padang is a recommended spot.
Address: Jalan Bendungan Hilir Raya No.15, Bendungan Hilir, Jakarta
Open hours: 9 am – 8 pm daily
Price: Approximately 165,000 IDR ($12.52) for a selection of dishes.
Jengkol Pedas: Spicy Indonesian jengkol beans, a unique and flavorful dish.
30. Jengkol Pedas (Jengkol Chili, Djenkol)
Jengkol beans, eaten across Southeast Asia and a delicacy in Indonesian food (which I personally love), can be potentially poisonous due to jengkolic acid.
Eaten in various ways, I typically eat jengkol raw as a garnish in Thailand. In Jakarta, I enjoyed jengkol beans cooked, once in a Sundanese meal and again at a Betawi restaurant as jengkol pedas. Cooked jengkol beans are starchy, potato-like, with a gummy texture.
Where to try: Warung Mak Dower in Jakarta serves Betawi Indonesian food, and their jengkol pedas is particularly impressive.
Address: Jl. Pemuda No. 72, Rawamangun, Jakarta
Open hours: 9 am – 9 pm daily
Price: Approximately 140,800 IDR for a full spread of dishes.
Petai: Indonesian stink beans, a pungent yet beloved ingredient in Indonesian cuisine.
31. Petai (Stink Beans)
Alongside djenkol, petai, or stink beans, had to be on this Indonesian food list. Petai are small green beans growing in twisted pods.
While petai is often cooked in curry or stir-fried with ikan bilis and chilies, it’s also eaten raw dipped in sambal, or grilled or deep-fried pods are eaten like candy (to me, they are like vitamin candies). I include petai because it’s a personal favorite and extremely common in Indonesian food.
Where to try: Anywhere you see the green twisted pods, petai will likely be available. Order it in curry, grilled, fried, or raw.
Nasi Gule Solo: Mild and comforting Indonesian organ stew, a street food favorite.
32. Nasi Gule Solo (Organ Stew)
One morning in Jakarta, I encountered a friendly vendor selling Nasi Gule Solo from his street food cart and had to try it. His gule was between a soup and a curry, made with goat organs.
Balancing the plate of gule, rice, and crackers on plastic stools, I enjoyed chewy goat in a mild, soothing curry. The vendor’s friendliness added to the wonderful Indonesian food experience. Nasi Gule Solo originates from Solo, also known as Surakarta. It’s a mild curry, great with rice. Carts are common, especially in South Jakarta.
Where to try: Nasi Gule Solo street food carts are frequent in the Gandaria area of South Jakarta.
Rawon: Deep and complex Indonesian beef stew, a Java specialty.
33. Rawon (Beef Stew)
Rawon, a black-colored beef stew from East Java, is another traditional Indonesian food dish. My first taste of rawon was love at first bite, sparking a desire to learn more about this unique dish.
Alongside beef pieces, a crucial ingredient in rawon is keluak (or kluwak), a nut I’d previously encountered in Peranakan cuisine. Keluak has a flavor resembling dark chocolate, nutty with a hint of rye. Indonesian food Beef rawon is served soupy with rice, bean sprouts, lime, and sambal.
Where to try: Nasi Gandul Bu Endang in Jakarta offers delicious rawon.
Address: Jalan Pesanggrahan No. 14, Puri Indah, Jakarta
Open hours: 8:30 am – 10 pm daily
Price: Approximately 148,000 IDR for a meal for 4, with several dishes.
Gudeg: Sweet Indonesian stewed jackfruit, a Yogyakarta signature dish.
34. Gudeg (Stewed Jackfruit)
Considered Yogyakarta’s (Jogja) national dish, gudeg is young jackfruit braised with palm sugar, coconut milk, bay leaves, lemongrass, and galangal until incredibly tender and broken down.
Gudeg Jogja is served with rice as a main dish, accompanied by chicken and curried cow skin. While its sweetness limits how often I could eat it, the amazing texture of the long-cooked young jackfruit was truly enjoyable.
Where to try: Nasi Gandul Bu Endang in Jakarta also serves gudeg.
Address: Jalan Pesanggrahan No. 14, Puri Indah, Jakarta
Open hours: 8:30 am – 10 pm daily
Price: Approximately 148,000 IDR for a meal for 4.
Plecing Kangkung: Spicy Indonesian water spinach salad, a Lombok specialty.
35. Plecing Kangkung (Water Spinach Salad)
Originating from Lombok, plecing kangkung is a vegetable salad made with water morning glory, topped with a spicy chili and shrimp paste sambal.
I immediately loved plecing kangkung for its fresh, crisp water morning glory and the spicy, salty-shrimpy sambal. It pairs perfectly with rice and grilled chicken.
Where to try: Ayam Taliwang Rinjani in Jakarta serves plecing kangkung.
Address: Jalan Pesanggrahan Raya No. 50, Puri Indah, Jakarta
Open hours: 10 am – 10 pm daily
Price: Approximately 165,000 IDR ($12.39) for 3 chickens and salad.
Daun Pepaya: Nutritious Indonesian papaya leaves, often served with sambal.
36. Daun Pepaya (Papaya Leaves)
Daun papaya, papaya leaves, are commonly eaten in various ways in Indonesian food. Papaya trees grow easily, and the leaves are nutritious, with a slightly bitter taste.
At Padang restaurants, you might see blanched or steamed papaya leaves with simple chili sambal. I particularly enjoyed a version at a Manado restaurant where papaya leaves were sautéed with papaya flowers, offering a bitter and floral flavor I found delightful.
Where to try: Ikan Tude Manado in Jakarta serves daun pepaya.
Address: Jalan Blora No. 28-29, Menteng, Jakarta
Open hours: 8 am – 11 pm daily
Price: Approximately 325,000 IDR ($24.57) for a meal for 4.
Gulai Daun Singkong: Indonesian curry cassava leaves, a flavorful and unique vegetable dish.
37. Gulai Daun Singkong (Curry Cassava Leaves)
Growing up in Congo, cassava leaves were a staple, often cooked with peanuts. I was happy to find cassava leaves as a common vegetable in Indonesian food.
Cassava leaves are toxic raw but delicious cooked, with a slightly leathery texture.
Where to try: Rumah Makan Medan Baru in Jakarta serves excellent curry cassava leaves.
Address: Jalan Krekot Bunder No. 65, Pasar Baru, Sawah Besar, Jakarta
Open hours: 9 am – 9 pm daily
Price: Approximately 406,000 IDR ($30.69) for many dishes.
Bakpao and Kopi: Indonesian steamed buns (baozi) and coffee, a perfect pairing.
38. Bakpao and Kopi (Baozi and Coffee)
Indonesia is a major coffee producer, offering delicious coffee. Coffee pairs perfectly with bakpao, the Indonesian food version of Chinese baozi (steamed buns).
Alongside modern coffee shops, Jakarta has excellent traditional kopitiams (coffee shops). One traditional shop in Kelapa Gading impressed me with its smooth, chocolatey coffee.
Where to try: Kedai Kopi & Bakpao Kwang Koan in Kelapa Gading, Jakarta, is a great spot for bakpao and kopi.
Address: Kelapa Gading, Jakarta
Open hours: 6 am – 1 pm on Saturday and Sunday, 6 am – 3 pm on Monday – Friday.
Gado-gado: Iconic Indonesian peanut sauce salad, a vegetarian delight.
39. Gado-gado (Peanut Sauce Salad)
Gado gado, a vegetable and compressed rice salad with peanut (or cashew) sauce dressing, is a prevalent Indonesian food street food. While technically a salad, gado gado, especially with compressed rice cakes, is quite filling and can be a main dish or snack.
Vendors prepare the peanut sauce on a stone mortar. Steamed vegetables like bean sprouts, water morning glory, and long beans, along with tofu, soybean cakes, and sometimes lontong (rice cakes) are added. The nut sauce makes it rich and hearty, while vegetables offer diverse textures.
Gado gado is served at various Indonesian food restaurants but is traditionally a street food. It’s also a commonly available vegetarian dish.
Where to try: Gado-gado is a famous Jakarta street food, found everywhere. Look for Andy outside City Walk Sudirman mall for a delicious version.
Mie Goreng: Indonesian fried noodles, a quick, flavorful, and satisfying dish.
40. Mie Goreng (Fried Noodles)
Mie goreng, also mee goreng or mi goreng, is Indonesian food stir-fried noodles, usually with yellow noodles. Chinese-influenced, mie goreng has a distinct Indonesian flavor, often including sambal chili sauce.
Yellow noodles are stir-fried in a wok with oil, garlic, egg, and ingredients like cabbage, tomatoes, kailan, onions, and meat. Mie goreng is common Indonesian food street food and is also popularly made with Indomie instant noodles.
Where to try: Many nasi goreng stalls also sell mie goreng. Sin Moy Kong Chinese Food offers a sit-down street food version.
Address: Jl. Mangga Besar Raya No.124 A Sawah Besar Kota, Jakarta
Open hours: 4 pm – 12 am midnight, closed on Sunday
Price: Approximately 189,000 IDR ($14.31).
Ketoprak: Jakarta-style Indonesian peanut sauce salad with tofu and rice noodles.
41. Ketoprak (Peanut Sauce Salad)
Another common Indonesian food dish with peanut sauce is ketoprak, a Jakarta-originating dish with tofu and rice vermicelli noodles, flavored with sweet-salty peanut sauce.
One popular ketoprak spot in Jakarta is always busy, with long lines during mealtimes. After making their special peanut sauce, they fry tofu, chop it with bean sprouts, douse it in peanut sauce, and top it with a fried egg.
Where to try: Ketoprak is widely available in Jakarta. Ketoprak Ciragil is a famous spot.
Address: Jalan Ciragil II Blok Q No. 24, Kebayoran Baru, Jakarta
Open hours: 9 am – 6 pm daily
Price: Around 20,000 IDR ($1.49) per plate.
Tempeh: Nutritious Indonesian fermented soybean cake, a versatile ingredient.
42. Tempeh (Fermented Soybean)
Tempeh (or tempe) is a preserved soybean cake, similar to tofu but using whole soybeans, fermented in a loaf shape. Tempeh is nutritious, protein-rich, and fiber-packed.
Commonly cooked deep-fried or pan-fried, tempeh can be a snack or part of a meal, dipped in sambal. It has a slightly sour taste and starchy texture. Its protein and vitamin content make it a great meat substitute, a favorite Indonesian food vegetarian option.
Where to try: Tempeh is found from street food carts to restaurants, especially those specializing in fried items.
Gorengan: Assorted Indonesian deep-fried fritters, perfect for a quick snack.
43. Gorengan (Deep Fried Snacks)
Gorengan refers to Indonesian food street stalls selling deep-fried fritters, battered or not. Options include pisang goreng (fried bananas), fried stuffed tofu, bakwan (veggie fritters), fried cassava, fried breadfruit, and more.
While gorengan carts might not be the healthiest option due to oil quality, as an occasional snack, they can be tasty. I especially enjoy fried breadfruit, just slices of breadfruit, lightly salted and deep-fried.
Where to try: Look for street food carts labeled Gorengan, displaying mountains of golden fried fritters.
Pempek Palembang: Unique Indonesian fishcakes, a Palembang specialty.
44. Pempek (Fishcakes)
Pempek, a prized Indonesian food from Palembang, South Sumatra, is a unique fishcake popular as a Jakarta snack.
Pempek recipes include pureed fish and tapioca starch for a chewy, bouncy texture. Pempek are usually deep-fried (grilled versions are also available) and served with noodles and a sweet, salty, and sour sauce. While not a huge fishball fan normally, pempek was surprisingly good, especially with its flavorful sauce and bouncy texture.
Where to try: Pempek Palembang & Otak – Otak 161 has multiple Jakarta locations for pempek.
Address: Jalan Boulevard Raya Blok FW I No. 26, Kelapa Gading, Jakarta
Open hours: 11 am – 8 pm daily.
Siomay: Indonesian dumplings, often served with peanut sauce, a popular snack.
45. Siomay (Dumplings)
Siomay is a popular Indonesian food snack with Chinese roots, transformed into an Indonesian dish. Vendors have steamers full of siomay, tofu, fishcakes, and stuffed items. Siomay can be made with fish, shrimp, or pork.
Siomay is served on a plate, and the Indonesian touch is a sweet and savory peanut sauce and sambal for heat.
Where to try: In Glodok, Jakarta’s Chinatown, bicycle vendors sell hot plates of siomay. It’s also a popular street food throughout Jakarta.
Asinan Betawi: Tangy Indonesian pickled vegetable salad, a refreshing snack.
46. Asinan (Pickled Vegetable Salad)
Asinan is a snack of pickled fruits or vegetables, varying in form and style across Indonesia.
Asinan Betawi, a Jakarta version, features chopped pickled and blanched vegetables, fried noodle crackers, and a sweet, salty, fruity sauce. It’s an interesting mix with sour and salty flavors.
Where to try: Outside Ragusa Es Italia ice cream shop in Jakarta, you can find Asinan Betawi.
Address: Kav 3-5, Komplek Pertokoan Duta Merlin, Jalan Gajah Mada, Jakarta, Indonesia.
Kerak Telor: Unique Indonesian rice egg snack, a Betawi culinary tradition.
47. Kerak Telor (Rice Egg Snack)
Kerak telor is an old Betawi Indonesian food, combining sticky rice and egg, fried like a pancake or omelet, topped with fried shredded coconut and shallots. It’s a fun snack to watch being prepared.
Vendors place soaked sticky rice in a charcoal-heated wok, add an egg, and flip the wok, roasting the rice cake over the fire. For me, watching it made was more enjoyable than eating it.
Where to try: Kerak telor is often found in public areas like the National Monument and Fatahillah Square in Jakarta, in the afternoon and evening.
Martabak Manis: Indulgent Indonesian sweet pancake, a decadent dessert.
48. Martabak Manis (Sweet Martabak)
Martabak manis is possibly one of the most extravagant desserts ever. This sweet waffle-like cake is slathered in butter (or margarine), sugar, cheese, chocolate, and other fillings, eaten like a pancake-birthday cake hybrid. It’s truly over-the-top.
Not being a sweets person, martabak manis is still a must-try Indonesian food dessert in Jakarta due to its sheer craziness.
Where to try: Martabak 65A is a popular and original Jakarta spot for martabak manis.
Address: Jalan Pecenongan Raya No.65A, Jakarta
Open hours: 5:30 pm – 12 am midnight daily
Price: Around 90,000 IDR ($6.71) for a giant martabak.
Durian: The king of fruits, a polarizing yet iconic Indonesian fruit.
49. Durian (King of Fruits)
Like stink beans, durian had to be on this Indonesian food guide. It’s considered the King of Fruits in Indonesia, and Jakarta is nicknamed “the Big Durian” for a reason.
Fresh durian is abundant in Jakarta, often from Medan or Palembang. Beyond fresh durian, there are durian treats like durian cake, durian ice cream, and es campur durian (durian shaved ice).
Where to try: Find Medan and Palembang durians along Mangga Besar road in the evening.
Sambal: The heart and soul of Indonesian cuisine, a diverse range of chili sauces.
50. Sambal (Chili Sauce)
Sambal, mentioned countless times already, is crucial to Indonesian food. Either used in cooking or served as a side sauce, it’s a fundamental component of many Indonesian meals.
There are as many sambal recipes as Indonesian islands. A classic sambal might include chilies, garlic, shallots, and local ingredients, pureed with a mortar and pestle. Sambals vary from spicy and salty to sweet, and some feature local herbs and spices.
Sambal is present on almost every Indonesian food restaurant table. If not readily available, asking for it will prompt a simple sambal to be quickly made. Sambal is essential to every Indonesian meal, reflecting Indonesia’s food diversity.
Where to try: Sambal is served with almost every Indonesian food dish in Indonesia – a key reason to love Indonesian cuisine.
Meet Andy, a friendly Gado-gado vendor in Jakarta, serving delicious Indonesian street food.
Conclusion: A World of Indonesian Flavors Awaits
What truly captivates about Indonesian food is the vibrant freshness of its ingredients – chilies, garlic, shallots, lemongrass, lemon basil, and countless others. The masterful combinations of these ingredients are what make Indonesian cuisine so extraordinary.
This guide to 50 of the best Indonesian food dishes is just a glimpse into the vast culinary landscape of Indonesia. I hope it has sparked your appetite for exploration!
RELATED: Explore more with my Jakarta Travel Guide for Food Lovers – Find recommendations on accommodation, activities, and travel safety.
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What is your favorite Indonesian food dish? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
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