Indonesian Food and Drink: A Traveler's Guide

Why Indonesian food is special

Indonesia spans more than 17,000 islands, and its cuisine is just as varied. Expect bold spice pastes, coconut milk, fresh chilli sambal, and rice at almost every meal. Whether you are in Jakarta, Bali, or Yogyakarta, eating well is easy and cheap.

Signature dishes to try

• Nasi goreng — Indonesia's beloved fried rice, often topped with a fried egg and krupuk crackers.
• Rendang — slow-cooked beef in coconut and spice, originally from West Sumatra and frequently voted one of the world's best dishes.
• Sate (satay) — grilled skewers of chicken or goat with peanut sauce; sate ayam is everywhere.
• Gado-gado — steamed vegetables, tofu, tempeh, and egg in peanut dressing.
• Soto — fragrant turmeric or clear broth soups that vary by region, like Soto Betawi in Jakarta.
• Babi guling — Balinese spit-roast suckling pig (note: Bali is Hindu, so pork is common here, unlike most of the country).

Street food worth hunting

Look for the warung (small family eateries) and roaming carts called kaki lima. Try martabak (sweet or savoury stuffed pancake), bakso (meatball soup), pisang goreng (fried banana), and nasi padang, where many small dishes are laid out and you pay for what you eat.

Drinks to order

• Es teh — sweet iced tea, the default refreshment.
• Kopi tubruk — strong unfiltered coffee; Indonesia is a major coffee producer.
• Es cendol / es dawet — green rice-flour jelly with coconut milk and palm sugar.
• Teh botol — bottled jasmine tea found everywhere.
• Jamu — traditional herbal tonics, often turmeric-based.

Practical dining tips and etiquette

• Use your right hand for eating and passing food; the left is considered unclean.
• Many dishes are eaten with a spoon and fork (push with the fork, eat with the spoon).
• Say sambal preferences early; Indonesian heat can surprise you.
• A street meal often costs 15,000 to 35,000 rupiah; restaurant mains run higher.
• Tap water is not safe to drink; stick to bottled or sealed drinks, and ask for no ice if unsure.
• During Ramadan in Muslim-majority areas, be discreet eating in public during daylight.

Stay connected in Indonesia

A HelloSIM eSIM keeps you online for maps, menu translation, and restaurant bookings the moment you land, with no roaming bills.