10 Most Loved Foods in Indonesia

As a country rich in spices, Indonesian cuisine is known as one of the favorite dishes in the world. With the condition of the country in the form of islands, the culinary world of Indonesia is very diverse and creates a wealth of extraordinary flavors.

Here are the 10 most favorite foods in Indonesia:

Sambal

 

Sambal has become a part of Indonesian people's lives. The spiciness of sambal is its own attraction that is potent to arouse appetite. Not a few Indonesians are reluctant to eat without sambal.

There are various types of sambal in Indonesia. Starting from sambal korek, sambal terasi, sambal matah, sambal tomat, to various kinds of sambal combined with fruit such as young mango sambal.

Fritters

 

Who doesn't know fried food? Although unhealthy when consumed excessively, yellowish hot fried foods served with green cayenne pepper are deliciously eaten in various atmospheres.

Literally fried food means fried food, whatever the type, but the term gorengan in Indonesia refers to a variety of snacks commonly sold in roadside carts. Here you can find a variety of crispy fried foods such as fried tempeh or mendoan, tofu contents, fried bananas, and bakwan.

Fried Rice

 

Rice is a staple food for Indonesians and fried rice is the most popular processed rice-based dish in Indonesia. This cuisine knows no social class restrictions. Fried rice can be enjoyed ranging from carts around, roadside stalls to fine restaurants. Not only that, in 2011 fried rice became the champion of the two best foods in the world by CNN.

Nowadays there are many variations of fried rice that you can find. For example, yogyakarta village fried rice, goat fried rice, and Medan anchovies fried rice. There are also processed fried rice adopted from Thailand, such as Pattaya fried rice that is yellowish and uses pineapple as a filling.

Meatballs

 

Meat balls served hot with broth is one of the typical foods that indonesians love. President of the United States, Barack Obama still remembers meatballs as one of his favorite foods while living in Indonesia. One of the famous meatball sellers in Jakarta is Bakso Lapangan Tembak in Senayan area.
 

Satay

 

Satai is a dish made from pieces of meat that are then burned on the embers. Thick white smoke scented with grilled meat that is often sniffed when passing through the tents of satai traders always manages to arouse the appetite.

No matter the meat used either chicken, goat, beef, or rabbit, satai dishes always get their own place in the hearts of their fans.

In addition to madura satai which is famous for its deliciousness, there are various types of satai that are no less delicious such as Satai Padang. Satai Padang does not use chicken or goat meat, but beef. The soup also does not use peanut sauce but a thick gravy such as curry that is golden yellow.

Satai is usually served together with ketupat or white rice. If you want to taste the deliciousness of satai padang, you can visit Satai Padang Ajo Ramon in front of Santa Market in Kebayoran Baru area, Jakarta.

Soto

 

Soto is usually a favorite dish for breakfast. For some, soto is an effective spirit generator to start the day.

There are various types of soto in Indonesia, but in general soto is distinguished from the type of soup. There are coconut milk soups such as soto tangkar Betawi as well as clear soups commonly found in Yogyakarta and Solo areas. The filling is also various, there are soto that use chicken or beef as well as offal such as intestines and tripe.

This soupy meal is usually served with a plate of warm white rice. The more delicious when added sambal and lime.

Pecel Catfish

 

Perhaps lamongan catfish pecel stall is the most common tent stall in the street. This simple dish is a favorite menu of many people ranging from students to office employees.

Although the name pecel catfish, but catfish pecel commonly found in tent stalls now no longer present pecel as it should be. A plate of fried catfish is served with tomato sauce and various lalapan. In addition there is usually tofu and fried tempeh.
 

Rendang

 

In 2011, rendang was named the best food in the world by CNN. Rendang is usually found in Padang restaurant.

Rendang is made from sliced beef cooked with various spices such as onions, lemongrass, turmeric, hazelnuts, lemongrass. How to cook rendangpun is not easy. To get a good rendang, slices of beef must be cooked overnight full of spices and coconut milk. This long cooking process will produce tender beef and the spices are seeping inwards.

Instant Noodles

 

If you have to mention the name of food that can not be separated from indonesian society, then instant noodles are the answer. In addition to practical reasons, instant noodles are also favored because of their varied taste. Instant noodle stalls can easily be found, even to residential areas. No doubt instant noodles cooked with the addition of green mustard and boiled egg became the most popular menu of Indonesian people.

Historically, noodles are not authentic Indonesian dishes. But along with cultural acculturation, noodles with all kinds of processed today have become part of the daily life of Indonesian people and the most popular noodles are instant noodles. One of the best known instant noodle brands is Indomie.

Chicken Opor

 

There's no Eid without chicken opor. This dish is special because it is usually only served on certain days, especially when Eid al-Fitr arrives. Chicken opor is made from chicken meat cooked with coconut milk soup. Golden yellow, chicken opor is usually served with ketupat.