The Most Popular Food in Indonesia, Ranked
Voting rules: Choose the food you think is the most popular!
Updated on May 5, 2024 06:37
For travelers and locals alike, finding the best dishes in a country with as rich and diverse a culinary culture as Indonesia can be a daunting task. With an array of flavors influenced by various regions, each dish offers a unique taste experience. Creating a reliable guide to these delicious options helps both newcomers and native food lovers find the top choices according to popular consensus.
This is where the importance of compiling a live ranking system comes into play. By allowing individuals to vote for their preferred dishes, we ensure the list remains current and reflective of true popular opinion. This process not only elevates local favorites but also celebrates the diverse culinary heritage of Indonesia, encouraging engagement and discovery among food enthusiasts.
What Is the Most Popular Food in Indonesia?
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147votes
Gunawan Kartapranata · CC BY-SA 3.0Nasi Goreng fried rice dish that is a staple in Indonesian cuisineNasi Goreng is a popular fried rice dish that originated in Indonesia and is widely enjoyed in Bali. It is made with cooked rice that is stir-fried with various ingredients, resulting in a flavorful and aromatic dish.- Main ingredients: Cooked rice, vegetables, and protein (such as chicken, shrimp, or tofu)
- Flavor profile: Savory, slightly sweet, and spicy
- Seasoning: Soy sauce, kecap manis (sweet soy sauce), and various spices like garlic, shallots, and chili
- Garnish: Fried shallots, sliced cucumber, and a sunny-side-up fried egg
- Popular variations: Nasi Goreng Ayam (with chicken), Nasi Goreng Seafood (with seafood), Nasi Goreng Kambing (with goat meat)
Nasi Goreng in other rankings- Position 1 of 10 in Most popular food in Southeast Asia
- Position 1 of 10 in Most popular Indonesian food
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236votesSatay grilled skewered meat usually served with a peanut sauceSatay is a popular street food in Malaysia, consisting of skewered and grilled meat or seafood marinated in a flavorful blend of spices. The meat is usually chicken, beef, or lamb, but variations with shrimp or fish are also common. Satay is typically served with a delicious peanut dipping sauce and accompanied by compressed rice cakes known as ketupat. It is known for its mouthwatering aroma and smoky taste.
- Meat Varieties: Chicken, beef, lamb, shrimp, fish
- Marinade: Spice blend including turmeric, lemongrass, ginger, garlic, and coriander
- Cooking Method: Grilled over charcoal fire
- Skewers: Bamboo or lemongrass sticks
- Dipping Sauce: Peanut sauce made with roasted peanuts, chili paste, tamarind, and spices
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325votesIndonesian salad made with a variety of vegetables and peanut sauceGado-Gado is a popular Indonesian salad dish that originates from Bali. It is a mixed vegetable salad served with a delicious peanut sauce. The creator of Gado-Gado is not known as it is a traditional dish that has been enjoyed for generations.
- Primary ingredients: Mixed vegetables, such as cabbage, green beans, bean sprouts, and boiled potatoes
- Peanut sauce: The vegetables are generously coated with a rich and creamy peanut sauce
- Protein options: Tofu, tempeh, or boiled eggs can be added as protein sources
- Toppings: Crushed peanuts, fried shallots, and shrimp crackers are commonly used toppings
- Flavor profile: Gado-Gado offers a combination of fresh, crisp vegetables and the savory, nutty flavor of the peanut sauce
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419votesRendang slow-cooked beef dish that is popular in Padang cuisineRendang is a rich and flavorful dish that originates from Malaysia. It is a slow-cooked curry dish made with tender chunks of meat, typically beef or chicken, simmered in a thick and aromatic sauce. The sauce is a harmonious balance of spices such as lemongrass, galangal, ginger, garlic, and a variety of fragrant herbs. It has a slightly sweet and savory taste with layers of complex flavors.
- Meat: Traditionally made with beef, but also commonly prepared with chicken or other meats.
- Spices: Uses a combination of aromatic spices such as lemongrass, galangal, ginger, garlic, turmeric, cinnamon, and cloves.
- Coconut Milk: Coconut milk is added to the sauce, giving it a creamy and rich texture.
- Cooking Technique: Slow-cooked over low heat for several hours to allow the meat to become tender and absorb the flavors of the spices.
- Thick Sauce: The sauce is reduced and thickened during the cooking process, coating the meat with its flavorful goodness.
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521votesSoto traditional Indonesian soup made with meat, vegetables, and noodlesSoto is a traditional Indonesian soup dish known for its rich and aromatic flavors. It is typically made with a clear broth, meat or poultry (such as chicken, beef, or lamb), and a variety of vegetables and spices. Soto is served with rice and often accompanied by condiments such as lime, sambal (chili sauce), and fried shallots. It is considered one of the most popular and beloved foods in Indonesia.
- Broth: Clear and flavorful, often made with a mix of traditional Indonesian spices like turmeric, lemongrass, and galangal.
- Meat or Poultry: Commonly made with chicken, beef, or lamb, which is cooked until tender and flavorful.
- Vegetables: Includes a variety of vegetables such as bean sprouts, cabbage, celery, and tomatoes.
- Spices: Typically seasoned with a blend of spices like coriander, cumin, and nutmeg.
- Condiments: Soto is served with condiments like lime wedges, sambal (chili sauce), and fried shallots, which add extra flavor and texture.
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63votes
ProjectManhattan · CC BY-SA 3.0Nasi Padang rice dish that originates from the Minangkabau regionNasi Padang is a traditional Indonesian dish that originated from the Padang region in West Sumatra. It consists of steamed rice served with an array of flavorful side dishes. The variety of dishes typically includes beef rendang (slow-cooked spicy beef), curried fish, chicken curry, fried chicken, spicy sambal chili sauce, and various vegetable preparations.- Origin: Padang, West Sumatra, Indonesia
- Primary components: Steamed rice, beef rendang, curried fish, chicken curry, fried chicken, sambal
- Flavors: Spicy, aromatic, savory
- Method of serving: Traditional banana leaf or individual plates with small portions of each side dish
- Signature dish: Beef rendang, a slow-cooked spicy beef dish with complex flavors
Nasi Padang in other rankings- Position 7 of 10 in Most popular Indonesian food
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79votesTempeh fermented soybean cake that is a popular source of protein for vegetarians in IndonesiaTempeh is a traditional Indonesian fermented food made from soybeans. It is a popular plant-based source of protein and has a unique nutty flavor and firm texture. The process of making tempeh involves inoculating cooked soybeans with a specific type of mold, usually Rhizopus oligosporus or Rhizopus oryzae. The mold binds the soybeans together, creating a solid cake-like product.
- Main Ingredient: Soybeans
- Fermentation Process: Inoculation with Rhizopus mold
- Protein Content: Around 19-21 grams per 100 grams
- Nutritional Profile: Rich in fiber, vitamins, and minerals
- Texture: Firm and slightly chewy
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87votesSate Ayam grilled chicken skewersSate Ayam is a popular Indonesian dish made of grilled marinated chicken skewers. The chicken is typically marinated in a mixture of kecap manis (sweet soy sauce), garlic, ginger, lemongrass, and other spices, which imparts a sweet and savory flavor to the meat. The skewered chicken is then grilled over a charcoal fire, giving it a smoky and slightly charred exterior while remaining tender and juicy on the inside. Sate Ayam is commonly served with a peanut sauce or sambal, cucumber and shallot slices, and steamed rice.
- Main Ingredients: Chicken, kecap manis (sweet soy sauce), garlic, ginger, lemongrass
- Cooking Method: Grilling over charcoal fire
- Serving Accompaniments: Peanut sauce or sambal, cucumber and shallot slices, steamed rice
- Flavor Profile: Sweet, savory, smoky
- Texture: Tender and juicy
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911votesBakso meatball soup that is popular street food in IndonesiaBakso is a popular Indonesian meatball dish that is commonly served as a street food or in restaurants. It is made from a mixture of ground meat (typically beef, chicken, or fish) mixed with various spices, seasonings, and sometimes starch. The mixture is then shaped into meatballs and cooked by boiling or grilling. Bakso is commonly served in a flavorful broth, along with noodles, vegetables, and condiments like soy sauce and chili sauce.
- Main Ingredient: Ground meat (beef, chicken, fish)
- Cooking Method: Boiling or grilling
- Serving Style: In broth with noodles, vegetables, and condiments
- Spices: Various spices and seasonings
- Texture: Tender and springy meatballs
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106votesIndonesian sweet or savory pancake that is often filled with meat or cheeseMartabak is a popular Indonesian street food that is known for its delicious taste and versatility. It is a crispy pancake filled with a variety of ingredients, typically sweet or savory. The pancake is made from a mixture of flour, eggs, and water, which is then pan-fried until it becomes crispy on the outside while remaining soft on the inside. The filling can vary from cheese, chocolate, peanuts, and condensed milk for sweet versions to minced meat, eggs, vegetables, and spices for savory ones.
- Origin: Indonesia
- Main ingredients: Flour, eggs, water
- Cooking method: Pan-fried
- Crispiness: Crispy on the outside, soft on the inside
- Sweet version fillings: Cheese, chocolate, peanuts, condensed milk
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Discussion
Ranking factors for popular food
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Taste and flavorThe food must have a unique and delicious taste that appeals to the majority of the local population.
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Cultural significanceThe food should have some cultural or historical relevance to Indonesia, ideally being a part of the country's traditions and customs.
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Availability and accessibilityThe popularity of a food item is often defined by how widely available it is in the country. In Indonesia, this typically means it should be found in street food stalls, local eateries, and markets across the country.
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AffordabilityThe food should be reasonably priced, making it accessible to people from various socioeconomic backgrounds.
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Ingredient availabilitySeasonality and availability of ingredients used in the dish may also contribute to its popularity.
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Variability and adaptabilityA popular food should offer different variations or regional adaptations, so it can be enjoyed across the country with local ingredients and flavors.
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Nutritional valueThe food should provide a balance of essential nutrients and could be considered wholesome or healthy, although this is not necessarily always a determining factor.
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Preparation and cooking techniquesThe method of preparing and cooking the food may also influence its popularity, with dishes that are easy to prepare and cook typically being more favored.
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Familiarity and personal preferencePeople are often drawn to foods that they have grown up with or have encountered in their daily lives, so foods with a strong connection to Indonesian culture and family life are more likely to be ranked higher in popularity.
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Word of mouth and social media influencePublic opinion, recommendations from friends and family, and the impact of social media influencers can all shape the perception and popularity of a particular food among Indonesians.
About this ranking
This is a community-based ranking of the most popular food in Indonesia. We do our best to provide fair voting, but it is not intended to be exhaustive. So if you notice something or food is missing, feel free to help improve the ranking!
Statistics
- 1284 views
- 182 votes
- 10 ranked items
Voting Rules
A participant may cast an up or down vote for each food once every 24 hours. The rank of each food is then calculated from the weighted sum of all up and down votes.
More information on most popular food in indonesia
Indonesia is a vibrant and diverse country with a rich culinary heritage. Its cuisine is influenced by many factors, including its geography, history, and cultural diversity. The most popular food in Indonesia is undoubtedly Nasi Goreng, which translates to "fried rice" in English. This dish is a staple in Indonesian households and is enjoyed by people of all ages. Other popular Indonesian dishes include Gado-Gado (a salad with peanut sauce), Satay (grilled meat skewers), and Soto (a soup made with meat, vegetables, and rice noodles). Indonesian cuisine is known for its bold flavors, use of spices, and unique cooking techniques. With so many delicious options to choose from, it's no wonder that Indonesian cuisine is gaining popularity around the world.
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