Yes, Indonesia is known for its delicious foods. And while you are in Jakarta, you get the chance to try some of the famous staple dishes from all sides of the country. To keep it simpler, this list was narrowed down to six top street foods that truly speak of Indonesian cuisine!
Some of the best foods to check out
1. Nasi Goreng (Fried Rice)
Starting with the internationally known Indonesian delicacy, Nasi Goreng, This is a major option that is not hard to find. The unique thing about Nasi Goreng is the styles and types. You can find Chinese style or traditional dishes with eggs, lamb, chicken, etc. Some even go extreme, with very spicy features. It also served different regions. It's up to you to explore.
2. Gado Gado (Salad With Peanut Paste Dressing)
If you are looking for veggies, try Gado Gado. It is directly translated as mix mix, which has a literal appearance as it mixes a lot of ingredients. It includes potatoes, spinach, string beans, cabbage, bean sprouts, and so on. Gado-Gado also has tofu and tempeh with hard-boiled eggs, or Lontong. To add taste, it will have a thick and creamy peanut sauce plus a crispy krupuk.
3. Sate (Satay)
While Satay is also available in Outdonesia (foreign countries), the Indonesian version is one of a kind. Generally, satay is made with a chunk of dice-sized meat (chicken, beef, fish, lamb, or prawn) or veggies and seasoned meats on bamboo skewers. They are grilled over a wood or charcoal fire. The topping is the key; Madura's satay loves sweet ketchup and peanut sauce. but Padang and Taichan use sambal.
4. Soto (Traditional Soup)
One of the pretty, tasty, and nostalgic foods you can find in various variations is Soto. This soup dish is known for its broth, veggies, vermicelli noodles, and more. It also has meat from chicken, beef, or lamb. Almost every region has its own perspective on Soto, whether it's the thick broth from Makasar, the native Jakarta with coconut milk, or the light broth from East Java.
5. Bakso (Meatballs)
Bakso is the perfect comfort food during a slow day. The hot beef or chicken broth tastes better with the juicy meatball. Indonesia's meatball also has a hearty serving consisting of yellow or vermicelli noodles. Some are garnished with fried shallots. You can also find it with crispy crackers. This heartwarming Bakso is also available in more extreme types with a spicy chile filling or unique variations.
6. Martabak
Serving both sweet and savory palates, Martabak is your go-to street food. This dish comes in two types: savory and sweet. The savory one resembles a deep-fried omelet with chicken or dug eggs and a generous filling of small meat chunks or veggies. The sweet one is like a pancake, but with a rich stuffing of cheese, condensed milk, nuts, or chocolate. You can pick your favorite!
Given the long list of potential foods, Jakarta is the perfect place to enjoy classic and famous foods. The list includes some of the best options you can easily find throughout Indonesia. They are classic and certified as a banger culinary dish from Indonesia. So, don't miss that extra tasty food in Jakarta!