The Most Popular Indonesian Food, Ranked
Voting rules: Choose the food you think is the most popular!
Updated on May 2, 2024 06:40
Indonesia, with its rich mosaic of cultures, offers a wide array of culinary delights that differ vastly from one region to another. Each dish tells a story of tradition, spices, and unique cooking styles that come together to dance on the palate. Knowing which of these foods are most cherished can help new adventurers decide where to start their gastronomic journey and what dishes are a must-try.
This ranking system serves as a culinary map, guiding users through the flavors of Indonesia based on collective preferences. By voting for your favorites, you contribute to a broader understanding of what stands out in the Indonesian culinary scene and ensure that future travelers and locals alike can experience the best dishes based on popular opinion.
What Is the Most Popular Indonesian Food?
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173votes
Gunawan Kartapranata · CC BY-SA 3.0Nasi Goreng is a popular Indonesian fried rice dish with a variety of ingredients such as vegetables, chicken, shrimp, and spices. It is a staple dish in Indonesian cuisine and can be found in almost every restaurant or food stall.Nasi 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 Indonesia
- Position 1 of 10 in Most popular food in Southeast Asia
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225votesSatay is a dish of skewered and grilled meat, usually chicken or beef, served with peanut sauce. It is a popular street food and can be found in many restaurants and food stalls.Satay 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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320votesGado-gado is a salad made up of vegetables, tofu, tempeh, and peanut sauce. It is a popular vegetarian dish in Indonesia.Gado-gado is a popular Indonesian dish that is considered a type of salad. It is made with a variety of blanched or steamed vegetables, such as bean sprouts, cabbage, spinach, and water spinach, along with tofu, tempeh, and hard-boiled eggs. The dish is typically garnished with fried shallots and served with a rich peanut sauce dressing. Gado-gado is known for its vibrant colors, fresh flavors, and a balance of textures.
- Origin: Indonesia
- Type: Salad
- Ingredients: Blanched or steamed vegetables (bean sprouts, cabbage, spinach, water spinach), tofu, tempeh, hard-boiled eggs, fried shallots
- Sauce: Peanut sauce dressing
- Flavors: Fresh, nutty, savory
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420votesRendang is a spicy meat dish made with beef, coconut milk, and a variety of spices. It is a popular dish in West Sumatra and is often served during special occasions.Rendang 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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515votesSoto is a soup made with chicken or beef broth, rice, vegetables, and spices. It is a popular comfort food in Indonesia and can be found in many food stalls and restaurants.Soto 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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68votes
Sakurai Midori · CC BY 3.0Sate Padang is a type of satay made with beef, served with a spicy sauce made from chili and coconut milk. It is a specialty dish from Padang, West Sumatra. -
710votes
ProjectManhattan · CC BY-SA 3.0Nasi Padang is a meal of steamed rice served with a variety of dishes, such as rendang, sambal, curry, and fried chicken. It is a popular meal in Padang, West Sumatra.Nasi 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 6 of 10 in Most popular food in Indonesia
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813votesBakso is a meatball soup made with beef or chicken, served with noodles and vegetables. It is a popular street food and can be found in many food stalls.Bakso 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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99votesMartabak is a stuffed pancake filled with a variety of ingredients, such as meat, cheese, and vegetables. It is a popular street food in Indonesia.Martabak 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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108votesSambal is a spicy chili-based sauce served with almost every Indonesian dish. It can be found in many variations, such as sambal terasi, sambal oelek, and sambal bajak.Sambal is a traditional Indonesian chili sauce commonly used as a condiment or flavor enhancer in Indonesian cuisine. It is made by grinding together chili peppers, garlic, shallots, tomatoes, shrimp paste, and other ingredients, depending on regional variations. The result is a thick and spicy sauce with a rich and complex flavor.
- Heat level: Spicy
- Ingredients: Chili peppers, garlic, shallots, tomatoes, shrimp paste
- Texture: Thick
- Flavor profile: Rich and complex
- Usage: Condiment or flavor enhancer
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Discussion
Ranking factors for popular food
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Cultural significanceOne of the key factors would be the cultural significance, historical background, and regional origin of the dish in Indonesia.
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Popularity among localsTo judge how popular a dish is, it is essential to consider whether it is liked and preferred by the people of Indonesia and if it is a common dish that can be found in households and local markets.
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Taste and flavorThe taste and flavor profiles of the dish contribute significantly to its popularity. This includes the use of spices, herbs, and other ingredients native to Indonesia.
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AccessibilityThe food should be easily accessible and available in various food establishments like street food vendors, restaurants, and cafe's across the country.
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AdaptabilityA popular food item could be one that has evolved and been adapted over time for a more diverse audience while still retaining its traditional roots.
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Preparation techniquesTraditional and authentic Indonesian cooking techniques could play a vital role in ranking popularity.
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AffordabilityA popular Indonesian dish would typically be affordable and cater to people from different socio-economic backgrounds.
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Representation in mediaThe frequency with which the dish is featured in various media platforms such as TV, movies, blogs and cookbooks can also contribute to its popularity.
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Tourist appealA popular Indonesian food might be one that is also sought after by tourists on their visit to Indonesia.
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Nutritional valueA well-rounded dish that provides essential nutrients can contribute to its popularity, as people seek both taste and health benefits.
About this ranking
This is a community-based ranking of the most popular Indonesian food. 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
- 1791 views
- 199 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 indonesian food
Indonesia is a diverse country with plenty of delicious cuisine to offer. From spicy curries to sweet desserts, Indonesian food is known for its bold flavors and unique ingredients. The country's cuisine is heavily influenced by its geography and history, with traditional dishes varying between regions and cultures. Some of the most popular Indonesian dishes include nasi goreng (fried rice), satay (grilled meat skewers), rendang (spicy beef stew), and gado-gado (vegetable salad with peanut sauce). With so many delicious options to choose from, it's no wonder that Indonesian food is loved by foodies all over the world.
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