Street Food

How can I talk about visiting Indonesia without saying anything about their street hawkers and their food. At almost every street corner, along every main street, side street, any street, you can find food stalls selling a variety of deliciously tempting eats. You really must try them to appreciate the food culture that is uniquely Indonesian.

Nasi Uduk, just simply steamed rice with a selection of different vegetables piled on top, is usually available in the mornings. Many Indonesians start their day with Nasi Uduk. It is quite delicious, with the vegetables cooked with various spices.

 

Ketoprak is a mix of compressed rice, tauhu, potato and beehoon in a peanut based gravy topped with chopped cucumber, cabbage and keropok. It is slightly sweet because of the kechap and quite delicious.

 

 

Mie Ayam, something very similar to our wanton noodles, is simply noodle topped with minced chicken served with meatballs soup. You can add your own chilli sauce, kechap and a special sauce to taste. Makes a simple meal if you don't know what else to eat.

 

What I really enjoy eating is the cut fruits dipped in a spicy sauce and some salt. It is almost like fruit rojak, except that there is no prawn paste involved. The fruits are always so fresh and sweet, combined with the slightly pedas sauce, makes it a joy to eat. So refreshing and thirst quenching. Definitely a favourite of mine.

 

Another favourite of mine is the otak-otak bakar. It is small fish paste wrapped in banana leaves and cooked over a charcoal grill. Then it is eaten with a peanut gravy which is very similar to satay gravy, slightly sweet and spicy. Absolutely delicious.

 

 

You can also find stalls that sell fried foods, such as tapioca, spring rolls, tauhu, vegetable patties etc. These are very popular with the locals.

After all the great food ideas, you will certainly get thirsty. Drink stalls are everywhere. You can buy bottled water, sample nice cool coconut juice or sugarcane drink. But I would rather settle for an ice cold Es Cendol.

 

In this glass contains cendol, pulut hitam (black glutinous rice), fermented tapioca, avocado, coconut sugar syrup, shaved iced and topped with chocolate sauce. An absolutely delicious concoction. I simple love it!