What is Indonesian Food?

People occasionally asked me a random questions "What's Indonesian food?" and my first thought was "Where should I begin? Savoury food? Sweets? Snacks?" Well, I say no more..  Here are roughly ideas of Indonesian food that I love the most and always make sure that I never missed them whenever I go back to my hometown.. Oh gosh.. I have huge craving while editing these photos..

Let me first introduce you with Indonesian Seafood. We call this dish "Kepiting Saos Padang" which means "Crab with Padang Sauce". Padang is the capital city of West Sumatra Province and this spicy dish is very famous in the region as well as seafood restaurant in the country.

"Kepiting Soka" or "Soft Shell Crab". I never have enough of them, unfortunately..

Ok, enough with the crabs.. Let's move on to one of mouthwatering dish called "Ikan Bakar"or "Grilled Fish". You must eat this Grilled Fish with "Sambal" or "Chilli Sauce" to make them more interesting..

We call this dish "Ikan Gurame" or "Fried Fish". It was one interesting presentation, I must say.




This dish is my childhood meal. My mum cooked the best Fried Prawn with butter sauce or we usually call "Udang Goreng Mentega"




My brother in law took us to the most delicious street food, Fried Oxtail Soup.. Oh yum.. Hubby went for second..




Okay, Let's move on to the next dish, "Nasi Goreng Iga" or "Fried Rice with Beef Ribs"

The famous "Nasi Uduk" or "Scented Coconut Rice". This dish is very well known in Indonesia especially in my hometown, Jakarta. We usually eat the coconut rice with fried chicken, satay, tempeh, tofu and chilli.

There are many versions of "Mie Ayam" or "Chicken Noodle" in Indonesia. Love this street food and hubby never miss this whenever we are in town.

This is my old time favourite dish, "Siomai Bandung" or "Steam dumplings with Peanut Sauce".  Love the technology these days, with just one phone call away, this lovely man, Benni, showed up on my parents in law's doorstep and apparently they have been loyal customers for years.

Let me take you a little closer, the mouthwatering "Siomay Bandung" or "Steam Dumplings with Peanut Sauce".




Another version of "Siomay" or "Indonesian Steamed Dumplings".

Okay, we have enough of savoury dishes, Let's move on to Sweets. This famous Indonesian sweets called "Martabak Manis" or "Sweet Thick Pancake". I must warn you though, this is not very healthy dish as they use lots and lots of butter and condense milk. Yet, this one sweet dish I can not miss and I love the most.

This is another style of "Indonesian Sweet Pancake/ Crepes". I still love the thick layer better.




In case you are wondering the making of this delicious "Martabak Manis"or "Indonesian Sweet thick Pancake". I wasn't joking when I said this is not a healthy dish. Oh yum...




The other famous street food "Roti Kornet Keju" or "Corned Beef with generous cheese on Toast".




The refreshing "Es Shanghai" or "Ice with mix of everything (e.g. grass jelly, avocado, jackfruit, slice coconut, condense milk".




Hubby's favourite drink, es Cendol




Or Do you prefer some Coconut Juice?

While we were in the seafood restaurant, I found this unusual fish with 2 eyes on the side and just plain on the other side. I am not really sure what this is called in English, Do you have any idea?