Indonesian

Kering Tempe is an Indonesian dish with a special place in my heart. Growing up, my mother would often pack this dish for me when I lived in a dormitory in Yogyakarta. If the food prepared at the dorm wasn’t to my liking, I could always count on the delicious Kering Tempe to fill me up. The crispy fried tempeh, crunchy peanuts, and savory-sweet sticky sauce made it the perfect comfort food. I would pair it with rice, which instantly became my favorite meal. Kering means “crispy” in Indonesian, perfectly describing the dish’s texture. The tempeh is fried until golden …

If you’ve ever visited Indonesia, chances are you’ve encountered the vibrant and colorful world of street food. From savory skewers to sweet treats, Indonesian street food offers an endless variety of dishes representing the country’s rich culinary heritage. One dish that stands out for its balance of flavors and textures is Ketoprak. Originating from Jakarta, Ketoprak is a beloved street food snack that combines simple, wholesome ingredients into a mouthwatering meal. Whether served as a light lunch or a filling dinner, Ketoprak is satisfying and nutritious. At its core, Ketoprak is a vegan salad. It blends chewy rice cakes (lontong) …

When you think of comfort food, what comes to mind? Maybe it’s something warm, soothing, and flavorful—a dish that feels like a hug in a bowl. For me, it’s always been vegan wonton soup. The steamy broth, tender dumplings, and fresh veggies create a perfect balance of lightness and heartiness. But as someone who’s embraced a plant-based lifestyle, I had to find a way to enjoy this classic dish without compromising on flavor. This recipe is a game-changer. It’s not just for vegans—it’s for anyone looking to enjoy a simple, wholesome meal full of flavor that comes together quickly. Whether …

Sayur Bening Bayam is a traditional Indonesian vegetable clear soup that is light, nutritious, and easy to prepare. It features spinach (Bayam) as the main ingredient, complemented by corn (or carrot) and simple seasonings. sayur = vegetable dish; bening = clear soup; bayam = spinach There are two unique things that you have to remember from this recipe: This dish tastes very clean and light, and I love it when my mother cooks it. When she does, I eat three plates of rice bowl. Yes, three; I didn’t write it incorrectly. Even though this can be eaten by itself, I …

This is one of the savory—sweet Indonesian snacks that I will never be able to resist! A crispy and crunchy deep-fried corn fritter (bakwan jagung) famous from North Sulawesi (Manado) will be everyone’s favorite! We Indonesians love to fry everything, including fruit such as bananas or vegetables like cabbage (yes, we do fry ’em) and corn, which we will make in this recipe. Bakwan jagung, or bakwan in general, is classified under “gorengan,” a term in Indonesia for a deep-fried snack. What is Bakwan and Bakwan Jagung? So Bakwan is a general term in Indonesia for any deep-fried fritters. You …

Terik tahu tempe is a traditional Indonesian dish that is accidentally vegan. It is rich in coconut milk, with a hint of sweetness and traditional Indonesian spices. If you are bored with your regular cooking method for tofu and tempeh, try this recipe. If you grow up eating Indonesian food, you should realize there are many types of curry, and terik is one of them. Other types of curry in Indonesia are gulai (view my jackfruit gulai recipe here), lodeh, and opor (I will share both recipes later in another post). “I have no idea what Terik Tahu Tempe is” …

Gudeg Yogya is a niche food. People who like it will love it, like me 😂. But people who dislike it will never try this food again. One of the reasons for that is probably the sweet taste of this dish. Most people associate sweet food with dessert, so it will feel alien to some when they come across a sweet main course dish. That’s why I said gudeg is a niche food. However, as one of the gudeg lovers, I have an obligation to share it with the world ✈️. To let people know that this yummy food exists. …

If you’re looking for a hearty, flavorful, completely meat-free dish, Gulai Nangka is the answer! This beloved Indonesian dish features young jackfruit cooked in a rich, aromatic coconut yellow curry. As its name suggests, the star of this dish is nangka (young jackfruit), simmered in spices and coconut milk, sometimes accompanied by vegetables like long beans. One of the best things about Gulai Nangka is that the flavors deepen over time, making it even more delicious the day after cooking. A Staple of Padang Cuisine Gulai Nangka is a signature dish of Padang Cuisine, which hails from Padang, the capital …

Tofu tempe bacem is a humble traditional Indonesian dish from Yogyakarta and Central Java. Like many other Javanese dishes, it has a sweet and savory flavor. You can eat this tahu and tempe bacem as a snack or with rice and vegetable dishes. My mother’s hometown is Surakarta, a city in Central Java that most people know as “Solo.” We usually visit this city once a year and never miss a visit to its traditional market. You can easily find people selling tahu and tempe bacem, common street foods in that market. Besides Solo, there is also one region famous …

Most people probably know about Indonesian mie goreng from the instant brand Indomie. This recipe is the classic version of that noodle. Vegan mie goreng is a dish that will please everyone in the family. Crunchy vegetables, chewy noodles, sweet sticky sauce—what’s not to like? It’s easy to make on a weeknight and delicious enough to serve anyone. So what exactly is mie goreng? “Mie” in Indonesia is noodle, and “goreng” means fried, so “mie goreng” is a fried noodle. This Indonesian food is heavily influenced by Chinese cuisine but has a definite Indonesian taste. One key differentiator is incorporating …