Asia · South-Eastern Asia
88 recipes
A refreshing and tangy beef soup originating from Semarang, Central Java. This dish features tender chunks of beef simmered in a clear, sour broth flavored with tamarind, bilimbi (a sour fruit), and a medley of aromatic spices and vegetables like chilies, tomatoes, and long beans. It's a delightful contrast to richer Indonesian stews.
Asinan Betawi is a vibrant and refreshing Jakarta-style pickled salad featuring crisp vegetables, bean sprouts, and fried tofu, all tossed in a tangy, sweet, and spicy peanut sauce. A popular street food, it offers a delightful balance of textures and flavors.
Ayam Betutu is a classic Balinese ceremonial dish featuring a whole chicken slow-cooked to incredibly tender perfection, infused with a rich and complex blend of aromatic spices. Traditionally roasted or steamed for hours, this dish is a labor of love that rewards with its deeply flavorful and fall-off-the-bone results.
Ayam Bumbu Rujak is a vibrant and flavorful Indonesian dish originating from East Java. It features chicken braised in a rich, spicy, and tangy sauce made with a complex blend of chili, turmeric, galangal, lemongrass, and tamarind, often with coconut milk for creaminess. The result is a deeply aromatic and satisfying chicken dish with a perfect balance of sweet, sour, and spicy notes.
Ayam Goreng is a classic Indonesian fried chicken dish. Chicken pieces are marinated in a fragrant spice paste, then gently braised in coconut water with aromatic herbs until tender and infused with flavor. Finally, they are deep-fried to a beautiful golden-brown crisp. It's traditionally served with steamed rice and a side of sambal.
Ayam Goreng Kalasan is a beloved Indonesian dish featuring chicken that is first braised in a fragrant, spiced coconut milk mixture, then twice-fried to achieve an incredibly crispy exterior and a tender, flavorful interior. This method ensures the chicken is deeply infused with flavor and perfectly cooked.
A popular East Javanese dish featuring crispy fried chicken that is smashed and coated in a flavorful, spicy sambal. Served with fresh raw vegetables (lalapan) and steamed rice.
A beloved Indonesian street food, Bakso features tender, bouncy beef meatballs simmered in a fragrant, savory broth, typically served with noodles and a sprinkle of fried shallots. This recipe focuses on achieving that signature chewy texture.
A popular Indonesian street food, Batagor are savory fried fish dumplings, typically made with mackerel or other white fish, mixed with tapioca starch and seasonings, then stuffed into tofu and wonton wrappers. Served with a rich, sweet and savory peanut sauce and a drizzle of sweet soy sauce (kecap manis). This recipe focuses on the classic preparation, a beloved specialty from Bandung.
A beloved Indonesian honeycomb cake originating from Medan, known for its unique chewy and springy texture, reminiscent of a honeycomb structure. This recipe requires patience for fermentation but yields a truly special dessert.
A comforting and flavorful Indonesian chicken congee, a popular breakfast dish. This savory rice porridge is simmered until creamy and served with a variety of delicious toppings.
Bubur Ketan Hitam, or black sticky rice pudding, is a beloved Indonesian dessert. Made from black glutinous rice simmered in water with palm sugar and pandan leaves, it's then served with a rich, slightly salted coconut milk sauce. It offers a delightful balance of sweet, creamy, and subtly fragrant flavors.
Cap Cai is a popular Chinese-Indonesian stir-fried dish featuring a colorful medley of fresh vegetables, often with a protein of choice, all coated in a savory sauce. It's a healthy, versatile, and quick meal.
A vibrant and healthy Indonesian-Chinese stir-fry featuring a colorful medley of vegetables and your choice of protein, all coated in a savory sauce. This dish is quick to prepare and easily customizable.
Dadar Gulung are delicate, emerald-green crepes made with pandan extract, filled with a sweet, fragrant mixture of grated coconut and palm sugar. These delightful rolls are a popular traditional snack, perfect for any time of day.
Es Buah, meaning 'fruit ice' in Indonesian, is a popular and incredibly refreshing dessert or beverage. It features a delightful medley of fresh fruits, generously topped with shaved ice, and then drizzled with sweetened condensed milk, creamy coconut milk, and a touch of sweet palm sugar syrup. It's a perfect treat for hot weather.
Es Campur is a popular Indonesian dessert drink, a delightful medley of shaved ice, sweet jellies, fruits, and creamy syrups. It's a refreshing and customizable treat perfect for hot weather.
A beloved Indonesian dessert drink featuring fragrant pandan jelly noodles (cendol) suspended in creamy coconut milk, sweetened with a rich palm sugar syrup, and served over crushed ice. It's a perfect balance of sweet, creamy, and refreshing.
Es Teler is a popular Indonesian fruit cocktail, often enjoyed as a refreshing summer treat. It features a delightful mix of fresh fruits, creamy coconut milk, and sweetened condensed milk, served over crushed ice.
Gado Gado is a vibrant Indonesian vegetable salad featuring blanched or steamed vegetables, firm tofu, and hard-boiled eggs, all generously coated in a rich and savory peanut sauce. It's a beloved Javanese street food classic.
Gado-Gado, meaning 'mix-mix' in Indonesian, is a vibrant and nutritious salad featuring a medley of blanched and fresh vegetables, firm tofu, and hard-boiled eggs, all generously coated in a rich and savory peanut dressing. It's a classic Indonesian dish that is both satisfying and healthy.
Getuk is a traditional Indonesian sweet snack made from mashed cassava, sweetened with sugar, and coated in grated coconut. It's a simple yet delicious treat, often enjoyed as a dessert or snack.
Gudeg is a traditional Javanese sweet stew made from young jackfruit, slow-cooked in coconut milk, palm sugar, and spices. This iconic dish from Yogyakarta is known for its rich, sweet, and savory flavor, and its deep brown color.
A rich and aromatic Indonesian goat curry, featuring tender goat meat simmered in a fragrant coconut milk broth infused with a complex blend of spices. This festive dish is a staple during celebrations.
A classic Indonesian dish featuring a whole fish marinated in a sweet and savory glaze, then grilled to perfection. Often served with a fiery sambal and fresh vegetables, it's a staple in Indonesian seafood restaurants.
A vibrant and tangy fish soup from Manado, North Sulawesi. This dish features fresh fish cooked in a clear, sour broth infused with a generous amount of tamarind, tomatoes, and local herbs like kemangi (basil). It's known for its refreshing and zesty flavor, perfect for a tropical climate.
Ikan Kuah Kuning Manado is a vibrant and flavorful fish soup originating from Manado, North Sulawesi. This dish features fresh fish simmered in a rich, aromatic yellow broth infused with turmeric, ginger, lemongrass, and chilies, offering a delightful balance of savory, sour, and spicy notes. It's a staple in Manadonese cuisine, known for its bold flavors and use of fresh ingredients.
A vibrant and refreshing Sundanese raw vegetable salad from West Java, featuring a medley of crisp vegetables coated in a rich and spicy peanut sauce. Unlike Gado-Gado, Karedok is served entirely raw.
A vibrant and flavorful Indonesian tofu salad, a popular Jakarta street food featuring fried tofu, rice cakes, vermicelli, and crisp bean sprouts, all generously coated in a rich, sweet and savory peanut sauce.
Klepon are delightful, chewy glutinous rice balls infused with pandan's fragrant aroma, filled with molten palm sugar, and coated in fresh grated coconut. A popular traditional sweet snack.
A comforting and sweet Indonesian dessert, Kolak features tender pieces of banana and sweet potato simmered in fragrant coconut milk infused with palm sugar and pandan leaves. It's a popular dish, especially during Ramadan for breaking the fast.
Kue Bingka Ubi Kayu is a popular Indonesian baked cake made from grated cassava, coconut milk, sugar, and eggs. It's known for its slightly chewy interior and a wonderfully crispy, caramelized golden-brown crust. This Nyonya delicacy is a delightful sweet treat, perfect with coffee or tea.
Kue Lapis Legit is a rich, dense, and fragrant Indonesian layer cake, a beloved Dutch-Indonesian specialty. It's characterized by its many thin, distinct layers, each infused with warm spices, creating a beautiful marbled effect and a complex flavor profile. Traditionally served during festive occasions like Christmas and Lebaran.
Kue Putu are traditional Indonesian steamed rice cakes, often sold as a street snack. They are characterized by their cylindrical shape, vibrant green color (from pandan), sweet palm sugar filling, and are typically served with fresh grated coconut.
A popular Chinese-Indonesian stir-fried noodle dish featuring flat rice noodles, a savory sauce, and your choice of protein and vegetables. This recipe is quick, flavorful, and perfect for a weeknight meal.
A rich and fragrant Jakarta specialty, Laksa Betawi features tender chicken and rice noodles bathed in a creamy, aromatic coconut curry broth. This dish is a beloved comfort food, known for its complex flavors and satisfying textures.
A classic Chinese-Indonesian dish featuring tender, thinly sliced beef braised in a rich, sweet soy sauce, often served with hard-boiled eggs. This dish showcases a delightful balance of sweet and savory flavors, influenced by Dutch culinary traditions.
A classic Indonesian birthday cake, Lapis Surabaya is a rich, three-layer butter cake famously filled with strawberry jam. Its name refers to the city of Surabaya, a major culinary hub in East Java.
A beloved Indonesian dish featuring compressed rice cakes (lontong) served in a rich and fragrant coconut milk-based vegetable curry, often with fried tofu and tempeh. This version is inspired by the Betawi (Jakarta) tradition.
Authentic Lumpia Semarang, a savory Indonesian spring roll filled with stir-fried bamboo shoots, shrimp, and chicken, served with a sweet soy sauce dip. A delicacy from Central Java.
A beloved Indonesian night snack, Martabak Manis is a thick, fluffy, and slightly chewy sweet pancake cooked in a special round pan. It's typically filled with a generous amount of butter, sugar, and your choice of toppings like chocolate sprinkles, grated cheese, or crushed peanuts, then folded in half and served warm.
A popular Indonesian street food, Martabak Telur is a crispy, golden-brown savory pancake filled with a flavorful mixture of eggs, ground meat, and aromatics. It's a delightful and satisfying snack or light meal.
A classic North Sumatran dish featuring thick, chewy noodles tossed in a rich, aromatic, and spicy curry sauce, often served with tender beef or seafood.
A beloved Indonesian street food staple, Mie Goreng features springy noodles stir-fried with a savory-sweet sauce, fresh vegetables, and scrambled egg. This recipe offers a quick and delicious way to recreate this classic dish at home.
Nagasari Pisang is a traditional Indonesian steamed cake made from rice flour, coconut milk, and sugar, with a slice of banana in the center. It's typically wrapped in banana leaves, giving it a subtle aroma and a soft, slightly chewy texture. This sweet snack is popular across Indonesia and is often enjoyed with tea or coffee.
Indonesia's beloved national fried rice, characterized by its smoky, sweet, and savory profile derived from kecap manis (sweet soy sauce) and terasi (shrimp paste). This recipe is elevated with tender chicken or shrimp and crowned with a perfectly fried egg and crispy fried shallots.
A fragrant and festive Indonesian rice dish with Arab influences, featuring tender meat cooked in aromatic spices. This celebratory dish is perfect for special occasions.
A fragrant and festive Indonesian yellow rice, traditionally made with turmeric and coconut milk, often served for celebrations and special occasions. The vibrant yellow color symbolizes prosperity and good fortune.
A beloved Javanese savory rice dish, originating from Solo (Surakarta), where fragrant rice is simmered in rich coconut milk and chicken broth, infused with aromatic spices, and typically served with shredded chicken, tender squash, and crispy fried anchovies. It's a comforting and flavorful meal, often enjoyed as street food.
Nasi Padang is a celebratory Minangkabau feast from West Sumatra, Indonesia. It features steamed white rice served with an elaborate array of pre-cooked dishes, typically including beef rendang, various curries (gulai), spicy sambals, and an assortment of vegetables and proteins. The dishes are traditionally presented in small portions, creating a visually stunning and flavorful spread.
A classic Javanese dish of steamed rice served with blanched vegetables and a rich, savory peanut sauce. Often found in Central and East Java.
A traditional Sundanese (West Javanese) dish featuring fragrant rice steamed and served in banana leaves, accompanied by an assortment of flavorful side dishes. The banana leaf imparts a subtle aroma and unique flavor to the rice.
Nasi Uduk is a fragrant Indonesian rice dish cooked in coconut milk and often infused with aromatics like lemongrass and bay leaves. It's a popular breakfast in Jakarta, typically served with a variety of delicious accompaniments.
Onde-onde are delightful Indonesian sweet treats made from glutinous rice flour, filled with sweet mung bean paste, and coated in sesame seeds before being deep-fried to a golden, puffed perfection. They are a popular snack with Chinese-Indonesian heritage.
A classic Indonesian white chicken curry, Opor Ayam is a rich and aromatic dish made with tender chicken simmered in a fragrant coconut milk broth. It's a staple during celebrations like Eid al-Fitr (Lebaran). This version is the 'white' opor, meaning it contains no chili.
Otak-otak is a delicious and aromatic Indonesian grilled fish cake, typically made from a blend of fish paste, spices, and coconut milk, then wrapped in banana leaves and grilled. It's a popular street food enjoyed across various regions of Indonesia, with subtle variations in flavor and preparation.
A beloved Javanese vegetable salad featuring a vibrant mix of blanched greens and other vegetables, generously coated in a rich, savory, and slightly spicy peanut sambal. This dish is a healthy and satisfying meal, often enjoyed as a light lunch or side dish.
Pecel Lele is a popular Indonesian street food featuring crispy fried catfish served with a spicy sambal (chili paste) and a side of fresh, raw vegetables (lalapan).
Pempek are savory fish cakes made from ground fish and tapioca flour, typically served with a sweet and sour vinegar-based sauce called 'cuko'. This recipe focuses on the classic Palembang style, known for its chewy texture and satisfying flavor.
Pepes Ikan is a traditional Indonesian dish where fish is marinated in a fragrant spice paste, mixed with fresh herbs and aromatics, then meticulously wrapped in banana leaves and steamed or grilled until tender and infused with flavor. This method not only imparts a unique aroma but also keeps the fish incredibly moist.
Perkedel are savory Indonesian potato fritters, often enriched with ground meat. These delightful patties are a popular side dish with Dutch colonial influences, similar to European frikadellen.
Authentic Indonesian Pisang Goreng, a popular street food featuring sweet, ripe plantains coated in a crispy, golden batter and deep-fried to perfection. A delightful sweet and savory snack.
A deeply flavorful and aromatic black beef soup, originating from East Java. Its distinctive dark color and rich taste come from the unique kluwek nuts.
A rich and intensely flavored Indonesian dry beef curry, where beef is slow-cooked in coconut milk and a complex spice paste until the liquid evaporates and the meat is tender and caramelized. Considered by many to be one of the world's best dishes.
A vibrant and pungent Indonesian chili paste, Sambal Terasi is a cornerstone condiment made by pounding fresh chilies, tomatoes, and fermented shrimp paste (terasi). It adds a complex depth of flavor and a kick of heat to any dish.
Authentic Sate Ayam, featuring tender, marinated chicken skewers grilled to perfection and served with a rich, homemade peanut sauce. A beloved Indonesian street food classic.
Sate Lilit is a unique and flavorful satay originating from Bali, Indonesia. Unlike typical satay where meat is skewered in chunks, sate lilit uses minced meat (fish, chicken, or beef) mixed with grated coconut, rich spices, and herbs, then wrapped around lemongrass stalks or bamboo skewers before grilling. This method infuses the satay with aromatic flavors and results in a tender, moist texture.
Sate Madura is one of Indonesia's most beloved street food dishes, featuring tender, marinated chicken skewers grilled to perfection and served with a rich, savory peanut sauce. This recipe focuses on the classic Madurese style.
Sate Padang is a flavorful beef satay originating from West Sumatra, Indonesia. It is characterized by its rich, aromatic yellow curry sauce, which is distinct from other Indonesian satay varieties. This recipe focuses on tender beef marinated and simmered in a complex spice blend, then grilled to perfection and generously coated in the signature sauce.
Sayur Asem is a refreshing Indonesian sour vegetable soup, traditionally flavored with tamarind. It's a light and healthy dish packed with various vegetables.
A comforting and flavorful Indonesian vegetable curry featuring a medley of fresh vegetables simmered in a rich, aromatic coconut milk broth. This dish is a staple in Indonesian households, perfect for a wholesome everyday meal.
A classic Indonesian comfort food, Semur Daging features tender chunks of beef slow-braised in a rich, sweet, and savory sauce made with kecap manis (sweet soy sauce). This Dutch-influenced dish is deeply aromatic and pairs perfectly with steamed rice.
Serabi are delightful, soft, and slightly chewy coconut pancakes, often enjoyed as a popular street food snack in Indonesia, especially in the city of Solo. They are traditionally cooked in small, unglazed clay molds, giving them a unique texture and aroma. Served warm with a sweet palm sugar syrup, they are a simple yet satisfying treat.
Siomay Bandung are delightful steamed fish dumplings, a popular Indonesian street food originating from Bandung. They are typically served with a rich peanut sauce and a drizzle of sweet soy sauce (kecap manis). This recipe focuses on creating tender fish dumplings encased in various wrappers like tofu and cabbage.
A rich and comforting Indonesian oxtail soup, featuring incredibly tender oxtail in a clear, aromatic broth. A beloved restaurant classic, this soup is deeply flavorful and satisfying.
A comforting and clear Indonesian beef rib soup, known for its tender, fall-off-the-bone ribs and aromatic broth. This restaurant classic is surprisingly simple to make at home.
A deeply flavorful and aromatic Indonesian goat soup, often enjoyed as comforting street food. This recipe focuses on tenderizing the goat and infusing it with a rich blend of spices for a warming and satisfying meal.
A fragrant and comforting Indonesian chicken soup, characterized by its vibrant turmeric-yellow broth, tender shredded chicken, and a medley of noodles and fresh vegetables. A true taste of Indonesian home cooking.
Soto Betawi is a rich and creamy beef soup, a specialty from Jakarta (Betawi). It features tender beef and offal simmered in a fragrant coconut milk broth, enhanced with aromatic spices.
Soto Lamongan is a fragrant and flavorful Indonesian chicken soup originating from East Java. It's characterized by its vibrant yellow broth, tender shredded chicken, and a unique crunchy topping called 'koya', made from fried coconut and shrimp crackers. This recipe provides a detailed guide to creating this authentic dish.
A fragrant and flavorful Indonesian noodle soup, Soto Mie, originating from Bogor. This version features a rich yellow broth, tender beef and offal, and is traditionally served with crispy risol (fried spring rolls) and fresh garnishes.
Soto Sulung is a rich and aromatic beef soup originating from Makassar, South Sulawesi. Unlike other sotos, it features a distinct blend of spices and is often enriched with coconut milk, giving it a creamy texture and a complex flavor profile. It's typically served with rice or lontong, and a variety of condiments.
A classic Chinese-Indonesian style thick and silky soup featuring tender asparagus and delicate crab meat. This restaurant-quality soup is a popular and elegant starter.
Tahu Gejrot is a popular Indonesian street food snack featuring crispy fried tofu cubes bathed in a sweet, sour, and spicy tamarind-based sauce. It's a delightful explosion of flavors and textures, perfect for a quick bite.
Tempe Goreng is a beloved Indonesian dish of thinly sliced tempeh, marinated in a fragrant blend of garlic, coriander, and salt, then deep-fried until golden brown and delightfully crispy. It's a simple yet incredibly satisfying everyday staple, often served as a side dish.
Tempe Mendoan are thin slices of tempeh coated in a spiced, savory batter and then lightly fried until just cooked through, resulting in a slightly chewy interior and a crisp, flavorful coating. This dish is a popular snack from the Banyumas region of Central Java.
A classic Indonesian stir-fried water spinach dish, known for its vibrant green color and savory, umami-rich flavor. Kangkung (water spinach) is quickly stir-fried with garlic, chili, and a generous amount of terasi (shrimp paste), creating a simple yet incredibly delicious side dish that pairs perfectly with rice.
Tumpeng is a ceremonial Indonesian cone-shaped rice dish, traditionally served as a centerpiece for celebrations and important events. The vibrant yellow rice, colored and flavored with turmeric, is molded into a cone and surrounded by an assortment of flavorful side dishes, creating a visually stunning and symbolic feast.
