Indonesian cuisine is quite diverse, as it is composed of various regional culinary traditions. Even though Indonesian recipes are often spicy, they can vary in flavour depending on the region. Indonesian cuisine is known for its use of spices, herbs, and flavors, as well as its variety of dishes. This article will showcase 10 of the tastiest Indonesian recipes, all of which are sure to tantalize your taste buds.
Gado-Gado
Gado-gado is a popular Indonesian salad that consists of a variety of vegetables and boiled eggs, all tossed in a spicy peanut sauce. This dish is also known as lotek and is often served as a side dish. To make gado-gado, you will need:
- 2 cups of blanched vegetables (such as cabbage, string beans, and spinach)
- 2 boiled eggs, peeled and cut into wedges
- 1/2 cup of crushed peanuts
- 1/4 cup of palm sugar
- 1/4 cup of tamarind juice
- 2 tablespoons of sweet soy sauce
- 2 tablespoons of vegetable oil
- 1 teaspoon of ground coriander
- 1/2 teaspoon of ground cumin
- 1/2 teaspoon of ground turmeric
- 1/2 teaspoon of ground ginger
- 1/2 teaspoon of ground nutmeg
- 1/2 teaspoon of ground cloves
- salt and pepper to taste
Instructions:
- In a blender, combine the crushed peanuts, palm sugar, tamarind juice, sweet soy sauce, vegetable oil, and all of the spices. Blend until you have a smooth paste.
- In a large bowl, combine the blanched vegetables and boiled eggs. Pour the peanut sauce over the vegetables and eggs and toss to combine.
- Serve the gado-gado immediately or refrigerate for later.
Nutrition:
- Calories: 365 kcal
- Total Fat: 22.3 g
- Saturated Fat: 4.3 g
- Cholesterol: 140 mg
- Sodium: 563 mg
- Total Carbohydrate: 28.7 g
- Dietary Fiber: 7.7 g
- Protein: 11.7 g
Ayam Bakar Bumbu Bali
Ayam bakar bumbu Bali is a delicious Indonesian chicken dish that is marinated in a blend of spices and then grilled. This dish is often served as a main course and is sure to be a hit at your next dinner party. To make ayam bakar bumbu Bali, you will need:
- 1 whole chicken, cut into pieces
- 1/4 cup of vegetable oil
- 1/4 cup of lime juice
- 1/4 cup of fish sauce
- 2 tablespoons of brown sugar
- 2 cloves of garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon of ground turmeric
- 1 teaspoon of ground coriander
- 1 teaspoon of ground cumin
- 1/2 teaspoon of ground cardamom
- 1/2 teaspoon of ground ginger
- 1/2 teaspoon of ground black pepper
- salt and pepper to taste
Instructions:
- In a large bowl, combine the vegetable oil, lime juice, fish sauce, brown sugar, garlic, and all of the spices. Whisk until everything is well combined.
- Add the chicken pieces to the marinade and toss to coat. Refrigerate for at least 1 hour.
- Preheat a grill to medium-high heat. Place the chicken pieces on the grill and cook for 10-15 minutes, flipping halfway through, until the chicken is cooked through.
- Serve the ayam bakar bumbu Bali immediately.
Nutrition:
- Calories: 500 kcal
- Total Fat: 24 g
- Saturated Fat: 4.7 g
- Cholesterol: 144 mg
- Sodium: 879 mg
- Total Carbohydrate: 10.8 g
- Dietary Fiber: 1.5 g
- Protein: 52.4 g
Nasi Goreng
Nasi goreng is an Indonesian fried rice dish that is packed with flavour. This dish is often served as a main course, but it can also be served as a side dish. To make nasi goreng, you will need:
- 2 cups of cooked white rice
- 2 tablespoons of vegetable oil
- 1 onion, diced
- 2 cloves of garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon of ground turmeric
- 1 teaspoon of ground coriander
- 1 teaspoon of ground cumin
- 1/2 teaspoon of ground ginger
- 1/2 teaspoon of ground black pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon of ground nutmeg
- 1/4 cup of sweet soy sauce
- 1/4 cup of fish sauce
- 1/4 cup of tamarind juice
- 2 tablespoons of palm sugar
- 2 eggs, lightly beaten
- 1/4 cup of roasted and salted peanuts, chopped
- salt and pepper to taste
Instructions:
- Heat the vegetable oil in a large wok or skillet over medium-high heat. Add the onion and garlic and cook for 3-4 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables are softened.
- Add the spices and cook for 1-2 minutes, stirring constantly, until the spices are fragrant.
- Add the cooked white rice and stir to combine. Cook for 3-4 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the rice is heated through.
- Add the sweet soy sauce, fish sauce, tamarind juice, and palm sugar. Stir to combine and cook for 1-2 minutes, stirring constantly, until everything is heated through.
- Push the rice to the sides of the wok or skillet and add the beaten eggs to the center. Cook for 1-2 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the eggs are cooked through.
- Stir the eggs into the rice and sprinkle with the chopped peanuts. Serve the nasi goreng immediately.
Nutrition:
- Calories: 462 kcal
- Total Fat: 17.7 g
- Saturated Fat: 4.1 g
- Cholesterol: 121 mg
- Sodium: 1363 mg
- Total Carbohydrate: 58.6 g
- Dietary Fiber: 4.9 g
- Protein: 13.6 g
Mie Goreng
Mie goreng is an Indonesian fried noodle dish that is packed with flavour. This dish is often served as a main course, but it can also be served as a side dish. To make mie goreng, you will need:
- 2 tablespoons of vegetable oil
- 1 onion, diced
- 2 cloves of garlic, minced
- 2 teaspoons of ground turmeric
- 2 teaspoons of ground coriander
- 1 teaspoon of ground cumin
- 1/2 teaspoon of ground ginger
- 1/2 teaspoon of ground black pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon of ground nutmeg
- 1/4 cup of sweet soy sauce
- 1/4 cup of fish sauce
- 1/4 cup of tamarind juice
- 2 tablespoons of palm sugar
- 2 eggs, lightly beaten
- 8 ounces of cooked noodles
- 1/4 cup of roasted and salted peanuts, chopped
- salt and pepper to taste
Instructions:
- Heat the vegetable oil in a large wok or skillet over medium-high heat. Add the onion and garlic and cook for 3-4 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables are softened.
- Add the spices and cook for 1-2 minutes, stirring constantly, until the spices are fragrant.
- Add the cooked noodles and stir to combine. Cook for 3-4 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the noodles are heated through.
- Add the sweet soy sauce, fish sauce, tamarind juice, and palm sugar. Stir to combine and cook for 1-2 minutes, stirring constantly, until everything is heated through.
- Push the noodles to the sides of the wok or skillet and add the beaten eggs to the center. Cook for 1-2 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the eggs are cooked through.
- Stir the eggs into the noodles and sprinkle with the chopped peanuts. Serve the mie goreng immediately.
Nutrition:
- Calories: 474 kcal
- Total Fat: 16.6 g
- Saturated Fat: 4.2 g
- Cholesterol: 121 mg
- Sodium: 1454 mg
- Total Carbohydrate: 58.7 g
- Dietary Fiber: 4.9 g
- Protein: 16.3 g
Satay
Satay is an Indonesian dish of marinated, skewered, and grilled meat. This dish is usually served with a spicy peanut sauce and is often served as an appetizer. To make satay, you will need:
- 1 pound of chicken, beef, or pork, cut into cubes
- 1/4 cup of coconut milk
- 1/4 cup of lime juice
- 2 cloves of garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon of ground turmeric
- 1 teaspoon of ground coriander