A taste of Indonesian cuisine

Indonesia‘s tropical capital of Jakarta hums in the midday sun. Cars crawl through crowded streets and its citizens hustle and bustle with all the usual hurry of a capital city.  The air is dense with a chorus of roaring motorbikes, chatter, barking dogs, humidity, and the intoxicating smells of a world-famous cuisine. In this guide, we run through what to eat in Indonesia, from its most tantalizing street food to its most uniquely flavored fruits.

What to eat in Indonesia: a guide for foodies

Street food sensations

Found across the city are small stalls selling gorengan, meaning quite literally ‘fried things’. These small vendors have a variety of snacks on offer including spring rolls, tofu, fermented soy beans, yams and pineapple. These fast-food delicacies fuel Jakarta, providing a pit stop for the commuters and visitors who navigate this bustling and vibrant city.

Another city staple is soto daging, Indonesia’s iconic beef soup. It is a dish of stalls and roadsides, quiet cafes and even Jakarta’s finest restaurants. Much of the food found throughout the city is influenced by the cuisines of nearby nations such as Thailand and Malaysia, but soto is Jakarta’s own. Each venue will have their own closely-guarded recipe for the soup, but all are brimming with hearty spices and herbs.

For many taking their first culinary steps and looking for what to eat in Indonesia, gorengan and soto daging will act as an introduction to the country’s cuisine. When exploring the far-flung corners of this sprawling nation, visitors are guaranteed to be surprised by the wide spectrum of cuisine available to them: spicy curry dishes, fresh and flavorsome seafood, and some of the world’s finest desserts and coffee.

Fresh from the ocean

Sharing both the Pacific and Indian Oceans along its coastlines, it’s clear to see why Indonesia is full of flavors of the sea.  The nation has one of the largest aquaculture industries on the planet and is a major exporter of tuna, shrimp and seaweed. What better place to taste this wonderful produce than from the white-sand shores of Indonesia’s stunning islands?

When deciding upon an island to while away the day, you will be spoilt for choice in Indonesia. There are more famous choices like Borneo, Bali and Sumatra that offer verdant scenery and impressive biodiversity, but why not stray from the beaten path and visit a hidden gem? The Gili Islands, for instance: these three small and remote islands provide the perfect juxtaposition to the bustling life of Jakarta (and not a dog or motorbike in sight!)

The simple and tranquil life of the Gili Islands demands a simple and flavorsome dish to compliment it. Fresh catches from the surrounding waters are wrapped in banana or plantain leaves to prepare them for steaming. Save for a few spices – ginger and chili are staples – there is little else to this dish, allowing for a subtle flavor combination which is sure to refresh and invigorate.

Wake up and smell the coffee

From one island to another, Indonesian explorers will find another signature product that’s treasured the world over – coffee. The country is the fourth-largest grower and exporter in the world, and Java’s beans are widely considered the finest Indonesian variant.  The island is dotted with volcanoes, many of which are still active, contributing to the rich and fertile soil in which the coffee plants are grown. This gives the brew a full-bodied and earthy flavor, perfect for any caffeine addict.

Coffee in Indonesia is traditionally served black or with sweet condensed milk, and is generally accompanied with a delicious savory pastry known as bakpao. This is a steamed bun with a choice of fillings ranging from beef, pork and chicken to soybeans, mung beans and peanuts. For lovers of coffee, bakpao is certainly not something to be passed up.

Dessert is served

Jakarta may not have the dessert fame of France or Italy, but the city’s delicious after-dinner treats are truly mouthwatering. Drawing on its island-vibe charm and Indonesia’s strong coffee culture, many desserts feature tropical or coffee-inspired flavors. And, of course, no dessert in Jakarta would be complete without a touch of coconut. Bold and unique, Indonesia doesn’t shy away from making a statement with its iconic sweet-treat flavors.

When it comes to what to eat in Indonesia for post-dinner indulgence, these are our top five favorites:

• Es campur: this is a tropical party in a cup, made with a mix of shaved ice topped with coconut, jackfruit, syrup, tapioca pearls, and grass jelly. To enhance the sweetness, a dollop of condensed milk is often added.
• Pukis: Westerners might compare pukis to waffles, but they’re slightly different. Made with flour, eggs, sugar, butter, yeast, and coconut milk, these half-moon-shaped sweet treats are much fluffier than waffles and are often served with peanuts or a variety of spreads.
• Dodol betawi: this is a simple cake, made from sticky rice flour and coconut sugar that boasts a rich and sweet flavor. The cake usually has different fillings like durian, sesame seeds and apple. The result is a glutinous and chewy affair, usually served on special occasions.
• Kue cucur: this unique twist on a fritter is made with rice flour and coconut milk (among other ingredients) and features a crispy exterior with a chewy interior. Similar to dodol betawi, it is primarily served at events like weddings.
• Es goyang: this is Indonesia’s version of ice cream, which became ultra-trendy in the 90s. It’s one of the rarest desserts – so if you spot it, don’t hesitate to try it! Surprisingly, the ice cream’s core ingredients are coconut milk and green beans. For a more indulgent treat, it’s often enrobed in velvety chocolate.

The dessert scene is a journey through the country’s classic staples combined with traditions in cooking… a far cry from the Western desserts that most people know!

King of fruits

Lastly, and rather strangely, a highlight of any journey to Indonesia is a culinary opportunity unlike any other. Known as the ‘king of fruits’, the durian is a large spiny fruit, often weighing over a kilogram. It is widely banned from being consumed in airline cabins, on public transport or in hotels, on account of the pungent smell it produces. There is more to this fruit, however, than its large size and strong smell. The reasoning behind its crowing title is due to its exquisite taste. If you enjoy the taste of almonds and custard, durian could be the fruit for you… if you can withstand its unusual odor. But that’s not all: this ever-mysterious fruit is so versatile that it’s even used in skincare products and nutritional supplements!

A good description of the durian’s flavor comes from British naturalist, Alfred Russel Wallace:

“…It is neither acidic nor sweet nor juicy; yet it wants neither of these qualities, for it is in itself perfect. It produces no nausea or other bad effect, and the more you eat of it the less you feel inclined to stop. In fact, to eat durian is a new sensation worth a voyage to the East to experience.”

Make it happen

Has our guide to what to eat in Indonesia inspired your taste buds? Why not send an enquiry to our lovely local experts – they’re on hand and ready to arrange the perfect tailor-made tour, designed to tantalize your taste buds!