Indonesia is one of the biggest countries in the world, with more than 13 466 islands. With over 267 million people, it is the world’s 4th most populous country.
On these different islands, you can find a rich culture and friendly people. Almost every island has its own traditional food specialty. What they all have in common are the rice, the spicy spices, and the banana leaf to keep care of the food.
In Central Java, where I come from, the food is just a bit sweeter than in the other islands. You can eat this food not only in famous restaurant, but also on the streets: we call it just “street food”. Each owner, each “chef” has his own secret receipt that makes his plate totally unique.
I want to share with you what are the most 10 best food for me. Of course, I am able to cook all of them.
1. “Beef Rendang”
Beef Rendang is from West Sumatra made from beef and cooked with many spices added with coconut milk until tender. Two dates to remember 2011 and 2017 beef rendang was crowned the Best Food in CNN’s World’s 50 Best Foods.
2. Indonesian Satay
If you like peanuts you need to taste it! This plate can be made with chicken, beef, or even lamb. Satay is made from meat skewer marinated in spices and grilled with soja sauce and served with peanuts sauce. This food is perfect for BBQ.
3. Bakso
This is one of the most favorite food in Indonesia. This food is the “typical street food”, serves in a bowl containing meatballs, noodles, rice noodles, vegetables and chili sauce.
4. Nasi Goreng
The main ingredient of “Nasi goreng” is jasmine rice stir-fried with different ingredients: vegetables or chicken or beef or seafood, Nasi goreng is always served with fried eggs and krupuk or shrimp crackers.
5. Mie Goreng
“Mie Goreng” is made with noodles stir-fried with mixed vegetables, meat, chicken, or seafood. This plate is very tasty, when you eat one, you need to eat a second one!
6. Gudeg
Gudeg comes from the “traditional Javanese cuisine” in Yogyakarta, Central Java. Gudeg is made from young unripe jack fruit stewed for several hours with palm sugar, and coconut milk. Additional spices include garlic, shallot, candlenut and coriander seed. Gudeg is sweet and served with marinated eggs, cattle skin stew with chili (krecek).
7. Gado Gado
Gado-gado is an Indonesian salad of slightly boiled, blanched or steamed vegetables and hard-boiled eggs, this plate is served with peanut sauce and chili. Accompanied by tofu, tempeh, and of course krupuk. In 2018, “gado-gado” was promoted as one of five national dishes of Indonesia.
8. Sop Buntut
“Sop buntut” is a clear soup made with beef tails, mixed with vegetables such as carrots, potatoes (yes potatoes in Indonesia), leek, celery, tomatoes, and fried shallot.
9. Ayam woku
The principal ingredient is chicken, herbs and spices from Manado, North Sulawesi, also known as Spicy Chicken basil. “Woku” means spices and “Ayam” is Chicken. Ayam Woku is cooked with many herbs including basil leaves and coconut milk. This plate is very tasty and plenty of “fresher”, the flavors remain in your mouth for a long time. Really delicious!
10. Nasi Soto
There are many kinds of Soto, but the most popular is “Soto Ayam”, Soto Ayam is a yellow clear soup with chicken skewer, bean sprouts, rice noodles, celery, and boiled eggs. Soto is always served with rice, chili sauce, krupuk, or emping.
Bon appétit !
