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What are the most DELICIOUS NATIONAL cuisine, food, and beverages in INDONESIA? Where could I find them?

Of course as a backpaker, I could always eat in fast-food restaurant. KFC, McD, Pizza Hut.... But I also want to taste such exotic food out there! Plus, Indonesian is well-known for its spice! I'm not that silly to lose some chance to prove this myth.... LoL!! All right Indonesians, what is your best national cuisine here? Any tips of where could I find them? Is it hygiene enough (No offense, but back in states, my bf told me that Indonesians favor the taste over hygiene!)? Is this myth really true?

Public Comments

1. Indonesia - Where King Is Rice and Queen Is Spice Indonesia is well known for its cuisine. Especially the rice table, that was actually an invention of the Dutch, back in colonial times, is very well known. It consists of a lot of different dishes, a bit like a buffet. Most of you know the fried rice (Nasi Goreng), satay (skewered meat) and maybe some of the Indonesian soups (soto). But of course there is lot more to the Indonesian cuisine. Cooking varies greatly by region and combines many different influences. However, most Indonesian food shares the nearly universal food trinity of fish, coconut and chili. Here are some recipes that will add a touch of exotica to your dinner table. Be it a family get together or a party these recipes are a sure shot hit! "Nasi Goreng - Indonesian fried rice" There are about as many ways of making Nasi Goreng, as there are cooks in Indonesia. This can be made with left over rice and can be enjoyed by itself or as the basis of a larger meal, for example with Indonesian satay's, Gado Gado and Peanut sauce. It is very easy to make and won't take more than 20 minutes to prepare. "Peanut sauce" This is the best-known, most popular sauce for satay. It is also used for Gado Gado, and goes well with anything including bread and chapattis! "Gado Gado - Vegetable salad" "Satay" Satay is a great Indonesian street food that has become popular throughout Southeast Asia "SOTO" This is a spicy Indonesian chicken soup. Ideal as a lunch dish or served with hot steamed rice.
2. Indonesians have really creative stuff around peanuts and peanut sauces. I wouldn't worry too much about the hygeine thing. There's nothing you can do about it---either you'll eat what they give you or you won't. Why worry?
4. Surabaya (East Java) is a popular haven for delicious Indonesian food. I'm Filipino and I've been living here for more than two years. Here are some of my favorites. Soto Madura - Soup with beef chunks. You can put your rice in the bowl together with the soup and it becomes a porridge. Soto Ayam - Soup with chicken chunks. You can also put your rice in the bowl. Rawon - Beef chunks in dark soup. Mix with rice to create a porridge. Goes well with salted eggs. Es Kacang Hijau - Monggo (green) beans with condensed milk and ice. Goes well with coconut meat too. Bebek Goreng - Fried duck. There are hundreds of delicious bebek goreng recipes in Surabaya. I can't decide which one is the best because they're all yummy. Enjoy!
5. My favorite thing to eat in Indonesia was beef Rendang. I make it in the US, but it's just not the same. My brother was much more adventurous and ate anything that was sold on a street corner. It landed him in the hospital with typhoid, but even after he ate street food, he said it was that good. Try everything, just be careful where you get it from.
6. Padang food!!! It's hot and spicy. On their menu, it's including rendang, dendeng, ayam pop, etc. Once you enjoy Padang food, then you'll find that the other foods are just boring...!!!
7. try "BAKSO" or Indonesian meatball.
8. rendang. the most famous food of the minangkabau. you can go all the way to west sumatera (you're backpacking anyway, i don't see why not) or you can have a try in every "padang restaurant" you see. minang food can be found everywhere, not only in indonesia, but also abroad ^^
9. For cuisine, it would be the Sate. Beverage, it would be the Es Apukat (Avocado blend with ice). If you are in Bali, the unofficial island cuisine would be Babi Guling.
10. As a visitor to Indonesia often, I've found some of the best local food in street-side restaurants that are called Bakar. They are usually BBQ type foods. During my last visit, I found a very nice restaurant called Cibobur Manggur outside the Hotel Acacia on JL Kramat Raya in Jakarta. Indonesian restaurants are generally very hygienic.
11. dont miss the baso sapi... meatball soup.. get it with noodles... just excellent.
12. if you wanna eat spicy foods, go find padang's restaurant,,,the restaurant has unique roof than others,,
13. rendang, ayam bakar, sate kambing, gado2, mie ayam.. duh, jadi laper..!
14. indonesian food is like nasi padang, nasi dendeng,nasi lemak, gado-GAdo, warung and more. all indonesian food disposed with rice. the question that u as is that is tasty ? of course yes, the indonesian is always tasty
15. sundanese cuisines are the best ;) nyummmhh... but if you love a lot of spice, try eating in Padang Restaurants! yes,, it's cheap and hottttt!!! you can find them everywhere in Indonesia. believe it or not.