JatimVoice.com – Indonesia isn't just about beautiful scenery—our food game is strong too. Some of our traditional dishes have even been recognized as the tastiest foods in the world!
People from all over love the bold and unique flavors of Indonesian cuisine. Curious which dishes made it big internationally?
Here are 10 Indonesian foods that the world just can’t get enough of:
1. Rendang
Who doesn’t know rendang? This rich, slow-cooked beef dish from West Sumatra was once crowned the world’s best food by CNN back in 2017.
It’s also one of five dishes promoted by Indonesia’s Ministry of Tourism as a national culinary icon. Even Gordon Ramsay flew all the way to Padang to learn how to make it properly!
2. Nasi Goreng (Fried Rice)
Indonesia’s version of fried rice also made it to the world’s best food list.
What makes ours different? It’s sweeter (thanks to sweet soy sauce), a bit spicy, and topped with crispy shallots. Usually served with pickles and crackers—so good!
3. Satay
Grilled meat on skewers served with peanut sauce? Yes please! Satay is a crowd-pleaser and made it into the list of the world’s most delicious foods too.
Whether it’s chicken or lamb, satay always hits the spot.
4. Soto
This aromatic Indonesian chicken soup made it to #4 in CNN’s list of best soups in the world.
With turmeric, lemongrass, lime leaves, and other spices, the flavor is deep and comforting. Soto is even loved as far as Singapore, Malaysia, and Suriname!
5. Gado-Gado
Think of it as Indonesia’s version of a salad—steamed veggies, boiled eggs, tofu, tempeh, and a rich peanut sauce poured all over.
Simple but delicious. Gado-gado actually won an award for best presentation in a food competition in Naples, Italy back in 2010!
6. Pempek
This savory fishcake from Palembang made waves internationally too. TasteAtlas gave it a solid 4.6 rating, placing it 38th in their global ranking.
Dip it in that tangy, spicy vinegar sauce and you’re golden.
7. Serabi
Soft, slightly crispy, and sweet—serabi is a traditional snack that also got global love. It ranked 40th in the world, just behind Peru’s picarones.
Best served warm for that melt-in-your-mouth feeling!
8. Pisang Goreng (Fried Banana)
Rainy day? A cup of hot coffee and some crispy fried banana is the perfect combo.
Turns out, this humble snack also made it to the world’s best traditional snacks list—coming in at number 42!
9. Lupis & Cenil
These might not have ranked yet, but they’ve gone viral! Lupis and cenil from Mbah Satinem in Jogja were featured on a Netflix food series.
Even Korean celeb Lee Seung Gi fell in love with them during his food show. Legendary!
10. Instant Noodles
No list is complete without Indomie. This beloved instant noodle brand from Indonesia made it into the LA Times’ Top 10 Best Instant Noodles!
Two flavors made the list: Indomie Mi Goreng and Mi Goreng Ayam Panggang. Basically, the best dry instant noodles in the world.
So there you have it—10 Indonesian dishes that have made their mark on the world. From full meals to street snacks, our food is proudly repping Indonesia on the global stage!