Recipe

It’s 12:30 PM, your inbox is full, and your stomach is growling. On days like this, I turn to a dish that never fails me: tumis kangkung, or kangkung stir fry. It’s quick, comforting, and full of flavor—everything I need during a tight lunch break while working from home. This isn’t just a shortcut meal. Tumis kangkung is one of those everyday dishes that feel like home. With just a few ingredients and a hot pan, I can have a warm, nourishing plate of stir-fried greens ready in minutes. It’s the kind of food that reminds me of my childhood, …

I first discovered the Vietnamese fresh spring roll during a phase when I was exploring a vegan lifestyle. Back then, I was on the lookout for meals that were both nourishing and exciting, and these spring rolls fit the bill perfectly. Fresh, light, and satisfying, they became an instant favorite. But my appreciation deepened during a trip to Hanoi. I still remember sitting at a quiet roadside stall, watching an elderly vendor expertly roll one after another with such grace and rhythm. Each one was a little parcel of crisp vegetables, soft noodles, and herbs, all wrapped in a delicate …

Whenever I think about urap sayur, I’m transported back to those quiet, misty mornings in my childhood neighborhood. My mother would wake up early, often before the sun had fully risen, and walk to the fresh market just a few blocks from our house. The market was already alive with the aroma of herbs, spices, and cooked rice. There, she would buy a generous portion of urap sayur from her favorite stall—run by an old woman who, according to my mom, made the best urap in town. The urap would be warm, fragrant, and packed in brown paper. It was …

If I had to choose just one protein to eat for the rest of my life, it would be chicken—no second thoughts. Something about chicken’s versatility, comforting flavor, and the way it absorbs spices so beautifully makes it my go-to dish whether I’m cooking a quick weekday lunch or preparing a festive meal. Of all the chicken dishes I’ve grown up eating, ayam goreng lengkuas holds a special place in my heart. I remember the first time I watched my mom prepare ayam goreng lengkuas. The fragrance of garlic, coriander, turmeric, and especially lengkuas (or galangal) slowly wafted through the …

Terong balado has always been one of my favorite Indonesian dishes. Growing up, I was always drawn to the rich, bold flavors of spicy food, and terong balado was a dish that never failed to impress. The combination of soft, creamy eggplant and fiery balado sauce creates a perfect harmony of taste and texture. Every time I eat terong balado, it brings back memories of home-cooked meals, which my family would serve alongside warm rice and other classic Indonesian dishes. I have always loved eggplant, but terong balado made me appreciate it even more. Unlike other ways of preparing eggplant, …

Lontong has always been a part of my life, especially during Lebaran. As a child, I used to help my grandmother prepare ketupat, similar to lontong but wrapped in woven coconut leaves instead of banana leaves or containers. My job was to carefully stuff beras (raw rice in Bahasa Indonesia) into the ketupat shells, ensuring they were not overfilled. My grandmother would check my work, adjusting the rice levels to ensure they wouldn’t burst while cooking. The process was long and tedious—hours of boiling, waiting, and hoping for the perfect texture. When we finally cut open the ketupat, the excitement …

Opor Ayam is a staple dish during Lebaran (Eid al-Fitr) in Indonesia. This creamy, coconut-milk-based chicken stew is special in Indonesian culture, symbolizing warmth, togetherness, and family traditions. While Opor Ayam is enjoyed year-round, it is particularly essential during Ramadhan and Lebaran celebrations, served alongside sambal goreng kentang ati (spicy potato and liver stir-fry) and ketupat or lontong (compressed rice cakes). In this post, we’ll dive deep into the significance of Opor Ayam, its history, taste, variations, and essential tips to ensure a perfect dish every time. Opor Ayam: The Heart of a Lebaran Feast During Lebaran, Indonesian families gather …

Something unique about the smell of sambel goreng kentang ati takes me back to my childhood, a scent that filled the house with warmth and comfort. Growing up, my family would receive a besek (a traditional wooden box) filled with delicious treats, and sambel goreng kentang ati was often among them. I loved the moment we opened the besek and caught that tantalizing aroma of fried potatoes, chicken liver, and the savory sambal that could make anyone’s mouth water. This dish always holds a special place in my heart and reminds me of the wonderful times spent with family during festive seasons. …

Growing up, one of my most treasured memories was accompanying my mother on our weekly trips to the nearby market. Our favorite stop was a modest stall specializing in nasi uduk, a fragrant coconut rice dish that filled the air with its inviting aroma. Yet, what truly made these market visits unforgettable was the special treat my mother always added: telur balado. Although the nasi uduk was a staple, the telur balado was an indulgence that required an extra payment—an extra bit of love reserved for me. My mother understood my penchant for the bold and exciting flavors of telur …

There’s something incredibly comforting about the aroma of nasi kuning wafting through the house, instantly taking me back to my childhood. Growing up, my mother always made nasi kuning from scratch, a tradition deeply rooted in our family. It wasn’t just any dish but the centerpiece of every birthday celebration. When the sun rose on someone’s special day, you could almost bet the rice cooker was already bubbling away, the golden-hued rice slowly steaming, filling our home with a warm, fragrant scent that felt like a big, golden hug. In our house, nasi kuning wasn’t merely food—it was love served …