Top 10 Must-Try Foods and Drinks in Indonesia

Indonesian cuisine often flies under the radar, yet the nation boasts an unparalleled culinary diversity across its thousands of islands and three time zones.

While Indonesia is known for accessible favorites like fried rice, noodles, and satay, its culinary landscape also features rich and intricate flavors, exemplified by the renowned rendang (beef coconut curry).

Rice and spicy sambal chili paste form the backbone of the cuisine, and with an abundance of vegetables, soybeans, and tofu, vegetarians will find plenty to enjoy. Renowned for its Spice Islands, Indonesia has shaped various cuisines worldwide, while also integrating elements from Chinese and Dutch culinary traditions. While high-end restaurants abound, the most fulfilling experiences are often found in bustling night food markets.

Check out our guide to the finest foods and drinks to savor in Indonesia.

Kick off your culinary adventure with street food nasi goreng.

No exploration of Indonesian cuisine is complete without mentioning its take on fried rice. Nasi goreng ayam (fried chicken rice) is a beloved staple, showcasing a variety of regional twists. The traditional version is stir-fried with sweet soy sauce, chili, and a medley of spices, topped with a prawn cracker and a fried egg. The mie goreng (fried noodles) option is just as prevalent throughout Indonesia. Both are affordable street foods, often priced under $2.

Where to enjoy it: Egoiste Beach Restaurant, Gili Trawangan

Indulge in sate delights

Sate (or satay) is a beloved street food that has grown far beyond its humble beginnings. It’s become a staple in Asian eateries worldwide. This popular snack features tender pieces of chicken skewered and grilled over charcoal. The magic of sate lies in its rich, dark peanut sauce, which offers a sweet and tangy kick. In addition to chicken, street vendors also serve sate made from goat, beef, and seafood. Notably, it’s said to be one of former US President Barack Obama’s favorite childhood treats.

Where to taste it: Sate Khas Senayan, Jakarta

Babi guling is a celebrated dish in Bali

Notable for being in the world's largest Muslim nation, babi guling (spit-roasted pig) is a quintessential Balinese specialty. The pig is stuffed with garlic, lemongrass, shallots, and chili before being slow-roasted on a spit for hours. You’ll typically need to order this in advance, as it’s offered mainly by specialized babi guling vendors. You’ll enjoy a generous serving of juicy meat with turmeric-marinated, crispy skin, accompanied by steamed rice, vegetables, and spicy sambal chili paste.

Where to experience it: Ibu Oka or Warung Nia Seminyak, Ubud, Bali

Delight in rendang, a sensory indulgence

Stewed in coconut milk and a medley of exotic spices, rendang (beef coconut curry) stands as the pinnacle of Indonesian cuisine. It’s cooked slowly until the liquid transforms into a rich, dark paste, creating a texture reminiscent of sate, yet delivering a uniquely intense flavor profile. Mastering its preparation is an art; the 'dry rendang' method allows the meat to be preserved for up to a month. Rendang is arguably the most globally recognized Indonesian dish, available from a $3 plate in a local Jakarta café to an extravagant Wagyu rendang in a fine dining establishment in New York.

Where to sample it: Kemangi, Kuta, Lombok

Spice things up with the fiery flavors from Padang

Padang in Sumatra is renowned as Indonesia’s culinary heartland. The iconic rendang hails from this region, known for its intensely spicy chili-infused gulai (curry). Padang cuisine is unique not only in its bold flavors but also in its dining style. Guests can either select specific dishes or, if preferred, wait staff will fill the table with numerous small plates without request. As long as diners keep enjoying the meal, more dishes keep arriving, and patrons pay only for what they consume. The variety is astounding, with many vegetarian options available. Spicy Padang specialties include dendeng balado (spicy beef jerky), chili crabs, and gulai itik (duck curry).

Where to enjoy it: Natrabu, Sanur, Bali

Experience a wide array of Indonesian flavors with a rijstaffel feast

A typical trip to Indonesia can barely skim the surface of the archipelago’s culinary richness—unless you opt for the rijstaffel shortcut. This delightful concept allows you to sample what Indonesia is famous for. Translated from colonial Dutch as 'rice table,' it features an astonishing spread of up to 40 small dishes served buffet style. A large mound of fragrant yellow rice takes center stage, surrounded by an assortment of noodles, curries, seafood, and snacks like spring rolls. Common rijstaffel offerings include gado-gado (vegetables with spicy peanut sauce), clear chicken soup, crispy duck, and perkedel (fritters).

Where to enjoy it: Dapur Raja, Ubud, Bali

There are virtually endless choices for vegetarians

Given the cost and limited meat supply in some areas, nearly all of Indonesia's signature dishes offer established vegetarian alternatives, ranging from fried rice to sate. Tofu and soybeans serve as staples in many meals, while the spicy Padang cuisine features numerous beloved vegetarian options. Additionally, you'll find specialized vegetarian cafes and restaurants in most cities and popular tourist spots.

Embrace the pungent durian

The infamous durian inspires both fear and intrigue. Known as the “king of fruits,” it is infamous for its overpowering smell but rewards those who dare with a delightful taste. While it may not be on everyone's list of must-try foods in Indonesia, it certainly deserves a spot. This exotic fruit boasts a yellow-brown spiky exterior, with a thick, meaty texture that releases its powerful odor.

The late Anthony Bourdain put it perfectly: 'Your breath will smell as if you'd been French kissing your deceased grandmother.' While this may sound exaggerated, the odor is intensely strong. Consuming durian can create a jarring contrast between its distinctive flavor and that overwhelming stench. If you're hesitant, you might want to start with a scoop of refreshing durian ice cream to ease into the experience.

Where to try it: Rimba Durian café, Jakarta

Take a shot of Bali's fiery spirit, arak

Bali’s renowned spirit is arak, a traditional clear liquor enjoyed in bars and during community festivities. With a potent alcohol content of 40%, and even higher at 60% for double-distilled arak, it is derived from the sap of palm trees that undergoes fermentation and distillation. Notably, it is the first alcoholic beverage recognized for its cultural significance in predominantly Muslim Indonesia, with an annual Arak Bali Day celebrated each January.

A word of caution: illicit arak is the leading cause of methanol poisoning in Indonesia. There have been incidents where tourists have died from consuming contaminated homemade arak. To stay safe, opt for branded arak available in bars and kindly refuse any offers to taste homemade varieties.

Where to try it: Potato Head Beach Club, Seminyak, Bali

Enjoy a sweet dessert drink called cendol

Cendol is a delightful mix of sweet flavors served in liquid form. This colorful Indonesian treat combines coconut milk with a medley of fruits and candies, creating a visually stunning and delicious beverage. It features coconut milk, palm sugar syrup, shaved ice, and tiny green jellies made from rice flour. Depending on where you are, it may include fresh fruits like pineapple, jackfruit, and even the notorious durian. It’s a refreshing alternative to traditional desserts after dinner.

Where to try it: Dewi Sri Food Center, Kuta, Bali