Indonesia is one of the largest countries in the world rich with diversity and in both culture and foods. Hence, you will find wide range of delicious cuisine in Indonesia. Also, the majority if Indonesians are Muslims so you will hear a lot about ‘halal foods’. Hence, the majority of the cuisine is free from pork, alcoholic ingredients, and other items that don’t meet Islamic way of living. However, this doesn’t mean Indonesian cuisine is less delicious or rich. In fact, there are so many foods you can try that it can put you in awe. And here are several of them:
Rawon
This is sort of like beef stew with interesting, unusual color for a soupy dish. The color of the broth is pitch-black and for some people it can be unappetizing. However, this dish tastes amazing. The black color to the broth comes from the kluwek, Indonesian spice also called Pangium. This beef dish requires slow cooking process to to allow the rich flavor of the spices penetrate into the tender meat. It is often served with warm steamed rice.
Nasi Padang
Nasi Padang is like a rice combo originated in Padang, Sumatra, Indonesia. The most interesting thing about this dish is the rich flavor coming from different side dishes. This is basically a rice-based meal in which the dishes can be chosen as you prefer. Most favorite dishes to be served include ayam rica, rendang, vegetables, sambal ijo, and telor padang. The best way to enjoy this dish according to the majority of Indonesians is to use bare, clean hands. It is best served with ice tea.
Nasi Goreng
Another rice-based meal from Indonesia that has reached worldwide popularity. This is basically fried rice with variety of topping and seasoned with Indonesian spices. The typical Indonesia fried rice or Nasi Goreng usually incorporate scrambled eggs, sweet soy sauce, shredded chicken, sausages slices, and onions. It is beset served with pickled carrot and cucumber as well as prawn crackers.
Opor Ayam
This is a chicken stew mostly served during Eid Al-Fitr for Muslims. This is basically chicken dish cooked with coconut milk, lemongrass, galangal, bay leaf, and other Indonesian seasonings. Many people also call this dish white curry because of the color and flavor. It is best served with steamed rice or ketupat, a diamond-shaped rice cake. Chili paste and fried onions are also added to enrich the flavor even more.
Karedok
This is Indonesian version of vegetable salad. This vegetable-based cuisine is loved by many Indonesians for generations. There is no boiling process of vegetables to make this dish because fresh vegetables are the ones that are being used. Cucumber, bean sprouts, cabbage, basil, long beans, and eggplants are usually vegetables used to prepare this dish. Then, peanut sauce is added to add more flavor. The peanut sauce is made from peanut, chili, galangal, salt, Javanese sugar, vinegar, and shrimp paste. The toppings such as prawn chips or crackers are added on top. You can enjoy this dish without steamed rice.
