15 Delicious Indonesian Recipes For People Who Love To Cook

Indonesian cuisine is as diverse as its 17,000 islands. With its mix of Chinese, Arab, Indian and European influences, Indonesian food is sure to be a hit with your friends and family. Whether you're a beginner cook or an experienced one, these 15 delicious Indonesian recipes will be sure to tantalize your taste buds!

1. Nasi Goreng

Nasi Goreng is one of the most popular Indonesian dishes, and it's easy to see why. This dish consists of fried rice, egg, and vegetables that are usually served with a spicy chili sauce. It's a great meal for breakfast, lunch, or dinner and can be made with whatever ingredients you have on hand. To make it, start by frying some garlic and shallots in oil until fragrant. Add in your cooked rice, then stir fry it with some soy sauce, kecap manis, and a beaten egg. Finally, top with some fresh vegetables, prawns, or meat, and serve with chili sauce.

2. Sate Ayam

Sate Ayam is a popular Indonesian dish made of marinated and skewered chicken, served with a peanut sauce. To make it, start by marinating the chicken in a mixture of lemongrass, garlic, salt, and pepper. Once the chicken has been marinated, thread it onto skewers and cook it on a grill or in a pan. Serve with a delicious peanut sauce made with ground peanuts, coconut milk, sugar, and chili. It's a great meal for any occasion.

3. Gado-Gado

Gado-Gado is a traditional Indonesian salad made with steamed vegetables, tempeh, eggs, and a special peanut sauce. To make it, start by steaming some vegetables such as potatoes, green beans, carrots, and cabbage. Once the vegetables are cooked, cut them into small pieces and set aside. In a separate pan, fry some tempeh until golden brown. Boil some eggs, then slice them into wedges. To make the peanut sauce, blend together peanuts, garlic, shallots, tamarind paste, chili, and salt. Mix the vegetables, tempeh, and eggs with the peanut sauce, and serve.

4. Bakso

Bakso is a popular Indonesian meatball dish made with beef, pork, or chicken. To make it, start by mincing the meat and adding some garlic, shallots, salt, pepper, and other spices. Mix the ingredients together, then form them into small balls. Boil the meatballs in a pot of water until cooked through, then set aside. To serve, place the cooked meatballs in a bowl and top with fried onions, celery, and a spoonful of sweet soy sauce.

5. Soto Ayam

Soto Ayam is a comforting Indonesian soup made with chicken, coconut milk, and spices. To make it, start by marinating the chicken in a mixture of garlic, ginger, turmeric, and pepper. Once the chicken is marinated, cook it in a pot with some oil until golden brown. Then add in some coconut milk, water, and spices and bring the mixture to a boil. Simmer for about 30 minutes, then add in some boiled potatoes, carrots, and celery. Serve the soup with some boiled eggs, fried shallots, and a sprinkle of coriander.

6. Rendang

Rendang is a traditional Indonesian dish made with beef, coconut milk, and a blend of spices. To make it, start by marinating the beef in a mixture of garlic, ginger, turmeric, lemongrass, and chili. Once the beef is marinated, cook it in a pot with some oil until golden brown. Then add in some coconut milk, water, and the spices and bring the mixture to a boil. Simmer for about two hours, stirring regularly, until the beef is tender and the sauce has thickened. Serve the rendang with some steamed rice and a sprinkle of fresh herbs.

7. Nasi Kuning

Nasi Kuning is a fragrant Indonesian rice dish made with turmeric, coconut milk, and spices. To make it, start by heating some coconut oil in a pan. Add in some garlic, shallots, and turmeric, and fry until fragrant. Then add in some cooked rice and stir until the rice is evenly coated in the oil and spices. Finally, add in some coconut milk and simmer until the rice is cooked. Serve the nasi kuning with some side dishes such as boiled egg, fried shallots, and a sprinkle of fresh herbs.

8. Lumpia

Lumpia is an Indonesian spring roll made with a filling of vegetables and meat, then deep fried until golden and crispy. To make it, start by preparing the filling. You can use a mixture of vegetables such as cabbage, carrots, and mushrooms, as well as some cooked chicken or pork. Mix the ingredients together, then wrap them in a lumpia wrapper. Deep fry the rolls until golden and crispy, then serve with a spicy chili sauce.

9. Sayur Asem

Sayur Asem is a traditional Indonesian soup made with a mix of vegetables, tamarind, and spices. To make it, start by heating some oil in a pan. Add in some garlic, shallots, and chili, and fry until fragrant. Then add in some tamarind paste, water, and a blend of spices. Bring the mixture to a boil, then add in some vegetables such as cabbage, carrots, green beans, and spinach. Simmer for about 15 minutes, then serve with some boiled eggs and a sprinkle of fresh herbs.

10. Gudeg

Gudeg is a popular Indonesian dish made with young jackfruit, coconut milk, and spices. To make it, start by boiling some young jackfruit in a pot with a blend of spices. Once the jackfruit is cooked, add in some coconut milk and simmer for about 30 minutes. Serve the gudeg with steamed rice, boiled eggs, and a sprinkle of fresh herbs.

11. Ikan Bakar

Ikan Bakar is a delicious Indonesian dish made with grilled fish, soy sauce, and spices. To make it, start by marinating the fish in a mixture of garlic, shallots, soy sauce, and pepper. Once the fish is marinated, grill it until cooked through. Serve the ikan bakar with some steamed rice and a sprinkle of fresh herbs.

12. Mie Goreng

Mie Goreng is an Indonesian stir-fried noodle dish made with noodles, vegetables, and a soy sauce-based sauce. To make it, start by heating some oil in a pan. Add in some garlic, shallots, and chili, and fry until fragrant. Then add in some cooked noodles, vegetables, and the soy sauce-based sauce. Stir fry until the noodles are cooked through, then serve with a sprinkle of fresh herbs.

13. Martabak

Martabak is an Indonesian snack made with a filling of egg, meat, and vegetables, then deep fried until golden and crispy. To make it, start by preparing the filling. You can use a mixture of vegetables such as cabbage, carrots, and mushrooms, as well as some cooked chicken or pork. Mix the ingredients together, then wrap them in a martabak wrapper. Deep fry the rolls until golden and crispy, then serve with a spicy chili sauce.

14. Es Kacang Merah

Es Kacang Merah is a refreshing Indonesian dessert made with red beans, coconut milk, and palm sugar. To make it, start by boiling some red beans in a pot of water. Once the beans are cooked, drain them and set aside. In a separate pan, heat some coconut milk and palm sugar until the sugar is dissolved. Add in the cooked beans and simmer for about 10 minutes. Serve the es kacang merah with ice, condensed milk, and a sprinkle of peanuts and sesame seeds.

15. Pisang Goreng

Pisang Goreng is a popular Indonesian snack made with deep fried banana. To make it, start by slicing some bananas into thin slices. Heat some oil in a pan, then add in the banana slices and fry until golden and crispy. Serve the pisang goreng with some sweet chili sauce or a sprinkle of sugar and cinnamon.