A Culinary Tour of Indonesia

Serombatan – Mixed Vegetables with Red Coconut Sambal 

Found in small warungs at most of the corners of the island, serombotan is a mixed vegetable dish comprising spinach, bean sprouts, long bean, eggplant and fried nuts with a spicy peanut sauce. Originating from Klungkung - a small village in Bali, it has now become a very popular dish. The freshness of the vegetables and the spiciness creates a distinctive taste sensation.

Perdekel Jagung - Sweet Corn Fritters

Corn fritters are a traditional southern savoury snack made of sweetcorn, egg, flour, milk and butter. They can be deep fried, shallow fried or baked, and may be served with jam, fruit, honey or cream. The combination between savoury and sweet creates a perfect balance for your palate.

Gado-Gado – Indonesian Vegetable Salad with Peanut Sauce 

‘Gado gado’ (in Indonesian or Betawi language) is also known as ‘lotek’ (in Sundanese and Javanese). The dish originates from Jakarta and is an Indonesian salad consisting of boiled vegetables served with a peanut sauce dressing. Gado-gado literally means ‘mixing it all together’; hence the different varieties of vegetables all mixed together with the peanut sauce.

Lawar Nangka – Young Jackfruit with Lawar Spices 

Lawar is a dish created from different types of vegetables, coconut and minced meat, mixed with rich herbs and spices. Originating from Bali, lawar is named according to its ingredients, for example lawar mixed with pork is called ‘lawar babi’. However the dish can also be named according to its colour, for example ‘lawar merah’ meaning ‘red lawar’.

Sop Ikan Segar – JImbaran Bay Mixed Fish & Seafood Soup

This particular recipe is a favourite amongst guests. The secret of this dish is the freshness of the fish and seafood, which are hand caught from the waters of Jimbaran Bay in the south of Bali. 

Satay Lilit - Seafood & Lemongrass Satay 

This recipe is one of Indonesia’s most popular traditional dishes with most satays served with peanut sauce. Originating in Java, Indonesia’s most populated island, satay is now available almost everywhere in Indonesia, as well as in neighbouring Southeast Asian countries such as Malaysia, Singapore and Thailand. It's also very popular in the Netherlands, as Indonesia is a former Dutch colony. Get the recipe!

Ikan Panggang Sambal Matah - Grilled Whole Fish, Lemongrass & Shallot Salad 

Sambal matah is a Balinese dish that consists of chopped onions, chili, lemongrass and coconut oil. It is characterised by a fresh taste and a phenomenal spiciness that will make your taste buds tingle. Ikan panggang sambal matah is one of Indonesia’s most famous dishes and is served with warm rice.

Tum Celeng - Steamed Minced Pork Wrapped in Banana Leaf

Tum is a traditional dish made of meat and spices that are wrapped in a banana leaf and then steamed. This particular dish is found in all parts of Bali. It is used for many ceremonies and religious purposes, and is consumed by almost every Balinese person during the traditional holidays of Galungan and Kuningan. 

Soto Ayam Kampung - Traditional Chicken Noodle Soup

This dish is commonly found in Indonesia, Singapore and Suriname. Soto ayam is a yellow spicy chicken soup with lontong, nasi empit or ketupat, which are all types of compressed rice that are cut into small cakes. It is served with vermicelli noodles, boiled eggs, slices of fried potatoes, Chinese celery and fried shallots.

Mie Goreng - Stir Friend Egg Noodles with Shrimp & Chicken

Mie goreng, also known as ‘bami goreng’, is one of Indonesia’s most popular dishes, and is also eaten in Malaysia and Singapore. It is made with thin yellow noodles that are fried in cooking oil, and is usually served with shallots, prawn, chicken or beef, meatballs and a couple of different vegetables. 

Ayam Betutu - Balinese Spiced Spring Chicken

This dish is common in all parts of Bali. It is especially tasty due to the countless spices used to make the betutu. Ayam betutu is also commonly used in Balinese religious ceremonies and events.

Pepes Ikan Tuna - Tuna with Kemangi Basil Wrapped in Banana Leaf 

Common throughout Indonesia, this is a fantastic dish to serve family and friends, and its secret lies in the freshness of the fish. The tuna is covered in basil sauce and wrapped in banana leaves, and then usually steamed.

Pisang Goreng - Fried Finger Bananas with Palm Sugar Sauce 

Pisang goreng is a fried banana snack found throughout Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines and Singapore. The banana, or plantain, is battered before being deep fried and served with sweet palm sugar sauce.

Dadar Guling - Palm Sugar and Coconut Crepes 

Dadar gulung is a stuffed pancake roll, with ‘dadar’ being the Javanese and Indonesian word for ‘pancake’ and ‘gulung’ meaning ‘to roll’. Filled with young coconut and pandan leaves, this tasty snack is a favourite across Indonesia. It is often served with melted brown sugar and is the perfect traditional treat for sweet tooths