Satay
Often eaten: Lunch, dinner, or as a snack
Known for: Java, especially associated with Javanese street-food traditions
street foodfestival
Photo: W.carter (CC BY-SA 4.0)
4 dishes to discover
Food of Indonesia
Indonesia is a country made up of thousands of islands, which means it has lots of different kinds of food! Indonesian food is full of delicious flavors, using ingredients like rice, noodles, and spices. People in Indonesia often eat together and love sharing meals with family and friends.
Featured Dishes
Meal Culture
Eating in Indonesia is all about togetherness. Families and friends often gather around the table to share meals. Rice is a staple and many dishes are full of exciting flavors from spices. Food is a way to bring people together in Indonesia!
Eating Etiquette
In Indonesia, it's polite to wait for everyone to be served before you start eating. People mainly use a spoon and fork, or their right hand to eat. Remember, using your right hand is courteous during meals.
When People Eat It
Rendang
Often eaten: Special occasions and festivals
Known for: West Sumatra
holidayfamily gathering
Nasi Goreng
Often eaten: Breakfast, lunch, or dinner
Known for: A nationwide dish shaped by Chinese-Indonesian cooking traditions
comfort foodeveryday meal
Gado-Gado
Often eaten: Lunch or dinner
Known for: Jakarta and West Java
healthy mealvegetarian
Make It Yourself
👩🍳 Cook together! Always ask a grown-up to help with hot or sharp steps.
SataySate
Makes 12 skewersIngredients
- 1 lb (450 g)Chicken, cubed
- 3 tbspSoy sauce (kecap manis)
- 1/2 cup (130 g)Peanut butter
- 1/2 cup (120 ml)Coconut milk
- 2 cloves, 1 limeGarlic and lime
- 12 skewersSkewers
How to Make It
- 1Toss the chicken cubes with soy sauce and garlic, and marinate for 30 minutes.
- 2Make the peanut sauce: stir the peanut butter, coconut milk, and a squeeze of lime until smooth.
- 3Thread the chicken onto soaked skewers.
- 4Ask a grown-up to grill the skewers for about 10 minutes, turning until cooked.
- 5Warm the peanut sauce gently.
- 6Serve the satay with the peanut sauce for dipping.
RendangRendang
Makes 4 servingsIngredients
- 1.5 lb (680 g)Beef chunks
- 2 cans (14 oz / 400 ml)Coconut milk
- 2 stalks, 1 tbspLemongrass and ginger
- 4 cloves, 3 shallotsGarlic and shallots
- 2 tbspMild curry paste
- to serveCooked rice
How to Make It
- 1Blend the garlic, shallots, ginger, and curry paste into a smooth paste.
- 2Ask a grown-up to cook the paste in a pot until fragrant.
- 3Add the beef and stir to coat it.
- 4Pour in the coconut milk and lemongrass and bring to a gentle simmer.
- 5Cook low and slow for about 2 hours, until the beef is very tender and the sauce is thick and dark.
- 6Serve with rice — a rich dish from Sumatra.
Nasi GorengNasi Goreng
Makes 4 servingsIngredients
- 4 cups (640 g)Cooked, cooled rice
- 2 eggsEggs
- 3 tbspSweet soy sauce (kecap manis)
- 3 clovesGarlic, chopped
- 1 cup (130 g)Mixed vegetables
- 2 tbspOil
How to Make It
- 1Ask a grown-up to heat the oil in a wok and cook the garlic until fragrant.
- 2Add the vegetables and stir-fry for 2 minutes.
- 3Push them aside and scramble the eggs in the same pan.
- 4Add the cold rice and the sweet soy sauce and toss everything together.
- 5Stir-fry until the rice is hot and well coated.
- 6Top with a fried egg and crispy shallots, if you like.
Gado-GadoGado-Gado
Makes 4 servingsIngredients
- 2 cupsBoiled potatoes and green beans
- 2 cupsCabbage and bean sprouts
- 2 eggsHard-boiled eggs
- 1 cup (150 g)Tofu, cubed
- 1 cup (240 ml)Peanut sauce
- 1/2 cucumberCucumber
How to Make It
- 1Boil the potatoes, green beans, and bean sprouts until just tender, then cool.
- 2Ask a grown-up to fry the tofu cubes until golden.
- 3Arrange the vegetables, tofu, and sliced eggs on a platter.
- 4Add fresh cucumber slices.
- 5Warm the peanut sauce until pourable.
- 6Drizzle the peanut sauce over everything — a colorful Indonesian salad.
Vocabulary
Did you know Indonesian food often uses coconut milk and rich spices, similar to some foods from Thailand and India?