If you have never tasted Indonesian food before and you are wondering where to start you journey, here are five of the best dishes to give you a good start. Indonesian food is full of fresh spices and herbs. People all around seem to agree on that as the thing that makes it special.

Nasi Goreng – so let’s begin with the most famous one, the national dish. It literally means “fried rice” and it is a plate full of tasty vegetables, chicken, shrimp paste, and always completed with eggs. It has an earthy and smoky flavour and the taste is stronger than Chinese fried rice dishes.

Mie Ayam – moving on to pasta. This chicken noodle dish is very popular all over the world. It is usually seasoned with a chicken and mushroom mixture that is mouth watering. If you find yourself in Indonesia you could simply buy it from a street vendor.

Nasi Uduk – or steamed rice cooked in coconut milk. This dish is originally from Jakarta. Lemon grass and cassia bark are usually added for the special flavour. After it is cooked it is mixed with other traditional dishes like fried tempe, shredded omelette, with sambal kacang or ayam goreng.

Pecel – tasty vegetables mixed with peanut sauce. It is a traditional salad that is served with steamed rice. It consists of boiled vegetables like spinach and bean sprouts. So if you are looking for a lighter dish to have today this is one to try out.

Ayam Goreng Kuning – a very popular fried chicken dish. But this fried chicken is first marinated in a turmeric mixture with garlic and ginger and some other spices. This golden chicken is then deep fried to perfection.

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Mbah Lindu, hits banged among foodies Yogyakarta. Frankly, only this time Koko Cici Blue and Red ngapelin mbah Lindu breakfast all morning. Age almost a century, exactly 97 years. Mbah are still healthy and not senile also still good at ngitung; ) Truly make awe, and her daughter who always accompany each vend.

Mbah Lindu itself directly serving customers in a bale of merchandise in the post kamling beside the Hotel Garage Ramayana, Sosrowijayan, Yogyakarta. The car park is a bit difficult, because of the small streets and many hotels around this area. Grateful this morning, front parking can Mbah Lindu. Two seats extending from plain wood, there are only two and a couple of plastic chairs.

This morning, the full but we patiently wait viewed mbah Lindu airport customers with a mix of warm skillfully use their hands directly above pincuk linings made from the leaves. The choice is white rice is also a thick rice porridge. For lauknya there is a chicken and egg, the price of Rp 20,000.

While serving, we are busy photo Lindu with friendly champion, the champion Lindu not a problem, because it was used in a photo every meal there is the usual place. It reminded one of the eating places in Bandung, where when we photograph, his mother was fuming mad to not want to cook. Weird yes. We counted the photo was counted as free promotion. Dimarahin Already, the price is also expensive banged. Just one time came and not a second time for the back again; )

Vegetable gudegnya rather wet and tasty, sweet marinade vegetable fitting well kereceknya delicious and tasty banged, for there lauknya spiced chicken eggs are also very pervasive. Steady deh When satisfied after eating and paying, mbah Lindu always say a few words like a little prayer. Amen.

So if you stop by the city of Yogyakarta, shall cobain Gudeg its mbah Lindu.

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No trip to Bali is complete without a taste of the traditional Balinese favourites like bebek goreng (crispy fried duck) and babi guling (Balinese roast suckling pig) in Ubud. 

The classic bebek goreng, or crispy fried duck at Bebek Tepi Swah

Two classic places to enjoy these dishes are Bebek Tepi Sawah and Ibu Oka. The former boasts a relaxing view of the rice paddies while you tuck into their signature crispy duck while Ibu Oka is practically a local institution for lunch. 

The mouthwatering babi guling (or roast suckling pig) at Ibu Oka in downtown Ubud, right across from Ubud Palace

Our go-to order is the Pisang set at Ibu Oka, which comes with a generous serving of fried pork, crispy pork skin and tender pork meat as well as a side of clear pork broth. No such thing as too much of a good thing, we say. 

Visiting the babi guling stand at the Denpasar night market with guide Mully

If you’re looking for a local to take you to some of Bali’s best spots, try this local food tour for an inside look at the bustling night markets and secret haunts of the locals.

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"There was only one real restaurant in town (five years ago)," says restaurateur Marco Bertini. "Now there are probably 20 good places to eat."

Labuan Bajo has a "Wild West" feel to it -- with an Islamic twist.

The roads are broken, dust gets churned up in the air and the Islamic call to prayer resounds from tinny loudspeakers in the still of the night.

But it's worlds away from how it looked and felt when Italian chef Marco Bertini, owner of Made in Italy -- an al fresco restaurant that serves lobster bisque and handmade ravioli -- moved to Labuan Bajo in 2010.

"Flores is moving so fast -- the development I've seen in the past five years is the equivalent of 20 years' development in other parts of Indonesia," Bertini says.

"There weren't any roads back then -- just rocks and mud. There was only one real restaurant in town. Now there are probably 20 good places to eat."

In addition to a rising dining scene, this part of the island has started to attract investors and hoteliers.

A raft of new hotels has opened in Labuan Bajo, ranging from basic backpacker haunts like theGardena Hotel to four-star properties like Bintang Flores Hotel.

The best places are located on the picturesque hillsides like Selini on the Hill (a suite for $53, per night) and Bayview Gardens Hotel -- with lush tropical surroundings and sweeping views of the portside district and island-studded waters of the Flores Sea.

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Besides grilled fish or ‘Ikan Bakar’, other traditional meal, but ‘Halal’ yang can try when you are in Bali is ‘Nasi Campur’ and ‘Nasi Ayam Bali’. Here are some recommended places:

1. Warung Wardhani, Jl. Yudistira Denpasar

This warung has been known for a long time, and become a favourite place for important people. The menu contains of plain rice (nasi putih), beef, satay, sambals and tasty vegetables.

2. Nasi Ayam Pantai Sanur

Sanur is approximately 10 km east from Denpasar. This beach is less crowded than Kuta. There are also many international hotels here like Hyatt Sanur, Sanur Beach hotel, Inna Grand Bali Beach, Mercure, etc.

Not just hotels, here they also have some places for delicious Nasi Ayam such as Nasi Ayam Pantai, Jalan Segara Ayu, toward Segara Village Sanur. But if you come after 9 am, you probably won’t be lucky to get the meal because the Nasi Campur is already sold out. So you must come early (before 9 am)!

There is other place, but not as crowded as Nasi Ayam Pantai is Warung Khrisna, at Jalan Kutat Lestari No. 4. It opens all day, but if you want to eat here better don’t go after 15:00 because it might be sold out as well. It has one 1 menu; plain rice (nasi putih) with fried stranded chicken, vegetables and Bali sambal. Price is around Rp. 15.000, – per portion.

Do you like a fried fish? Then you should come to warung Ikan Goreng Mak Beng, Sanur, near Museum Le Majeur, in the end of Jalan Hang Tuah/Jalan Pantai (same road to Hotel Inna Grand Bali Beach. This place has been opened since 40 years ago and still full of guests until now. Not just a domestic guests, but also international tourist. 1 set menu contains of plain rice (nasi putih) with fried fish, fish soup, and sambal. Price is affordable.

3. Nasi Ayam Ubud area

When you go to Ubud area, don’t forget to stop at Nasi Ayam Kedewatan, located at Kadewatan village, west of Ubud, across Kedewatan temple. From Denpasar it’s about 45 minutes driving. Menu is just plain rice (nasi putih) with different kind of chicken either fried, grilled or dibetutu (its special way of Balinese to cook chicken)

4. Ayam Betutu – Gilimanuk

If you come to Bali with personal vehicle from Ketapang to Gilimanuk, before you go to Denpasar or Kuta, better you stop at the legendary warung selling Ayam Betutu Men Tempeh, Gilimanuk. It’s located behind bus terminal.

But this place is not recommended for you who don’t like spicy food because they serve it with very spicy sambal. I can sure you, it would make you sweating and watering mouth because is too hot!!

5. Bebek Bengil – Ubud

Better you don’t miss this place when you come to Bali! Bebek Bengil Restaurant at Jalan Hanoman, Padang Tegal, Ubud. They have a very delicious crispy duck, and of course it won’t be complete without the famous Bali spicy sambal! For 1 portion main course Crispy Duck, the price is around Rp. 100.000,-. Just for Crispy Duck is around Rp. 60.000,-. Besides Crispy Duck, they have also other menus like Nasi Campur Bali, king prawn, mashed potato and Chicken breast.

Even the price is probably more expensive, you should try it sometimes. This restaurant is very famous among tourist, it serves great meals as well nice place for the guests to enjoy their food, even Mick Jegger and his ex-wife Bianca ever ate here.

Want to taste traditional meals from Singaraja? Just come to Nang Lecir restaurant at Jalan Ki Hajar Dewantara, Denpasar. They serve nasi campur with ‘sudang lepet’ (thin crispy fried fish) – originally from Singaraja.

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Bali’s very own Ladurée, Angelita Patisserie might just be our newfound favourite in Seminyak. It is every bit Parisian, in the softest pastel hues and candy-coloured chinaware. A stunning display of in-house bakes and sweet creations, Angelita is an elegant tea salon-cum-patisserie that serves French sweets.

Think eclairs in assorted flavours like oreo and passionfruit, chocolate tarts and raspberry mousse cakes, and a very delectable banana and nutella tart with a chocolate biscuit base. Fine and exquisite, everything here is so reasonably priced between RP30,000 to RP50,000.

Jalan Raya Kerobokan no. 10A
Banjar Taman, Kerobokan, Kuta, Bali
Tel: +62 361 7473138
Area: Seminyak

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#2 Babi Guling Ibu Oka

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Babi Guling, or suckling pig, is one of the most famous food in Bali. Warung Babi Guling Ibu Oka is an institution in Bali, and it is known to serve one of the best, if not the best Babi Guling. Rice topped with suckling pig skin, grilled sausage, grilled pork, and deep-fried pork, this dish is good for the soul but bad for the arteries.

Babi Guling Ibu Oka is listed in our guide to Ubud’s Best Places to Eat.

Jalan Suewta
Tel: +62 361 2077 490

Jalan Raya Teges
Peliatan, Ubud

Tegal Sari No 2
Tel: +62 361 976435

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#3 Balique

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Located near Intercontinental Hotel at Jimbaran, Balique is a beautiful vintage restaurant which serves a good balance of Indonesian food and western food. It is by the same owners as The Bistrot, another of our favourite restaurant in Seminyak.

Jalan Uluwatu no. 39
Jimbaran, Bali
Tel: +62 361 704 945

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#4 Bebek Bengil

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Bebek Bengil (Dirty Duck Diner) is another famous restaurant that you have to try. It rose to fame with its crispy dirty duck, and it is now a dining destination in Ubud. The crispy duck is indeed very very good – tender, succulent and flavourful, with a crackly-crisp skin. It is the benchmark for how a good duck should taste like. In a word, heavenly.

Bebek Bengil is listed in our guide to Ubud’s Best Places to Eat.

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When most Americans think of Satay, they immediately conjure up the image and taste of the tangy peanut sauce that is commonly served with chicken skewers. Although this dish has been around for nearly two centuries, it is only now that its acclaim has reached the palate of customers in the United States. In the process of crossing the Pacific Ocean, the original Indonesian Satay has gone through a wild transformation from its humble beginnings. There is some controversy in the history of the Satay, as both the Malaysian and Indonesian Satay claim to be the first. However, culinary experts that have studied the food patterns of Southeast Asia generally identify the Indonesian Satay as being the first. However, the version that is now available from many American restaurants has more resemblance to the Thai Satay than to the original version of Indonesian Satay. Because of the geography of Southeast Asia, the food culture was able to spread rapidly through the various countries. There are not great land or ocean barriers that prevent trade or communication between countries, meaning that knowledge about food preparation is easily transmitted to other cultures. The Indonesian Satay is a prime example of this phenomenon. In Indonesia, the dish became quite popular immediately after its introduction. When traders from Siam, Cambodia, and other countries visited Indonesia, the took the recipe for Indonesian Satay home with them. This led to the creation of separate but distinct Satays in all of the nations of the area. Thai Satay has become the most popular with western appetites, as the Thai cuisine has been more accepted in American restaurants. However, many more versions other than Thai Satay exist for consumers to try. Malaysia, Laos, and Vietnam are only a few of the other countries that have developed their signature type of Satay. The Satay.com website has excellent pages explaining the differences between the various types of Satay. At Satay.com, a person can also find a wealth of recipes so Thai Satay and other regional specialties can be made at home. The main difference with Thai versions and other types are the meat and flavors that are generally used. In the case of the original Indonesian Satay, the flavors used are typically based on soy and local ingredients that are found there. The Thai Satay often features a dipping sauce that is made from peanuts. It is this characteristic taste that has landed the dish as one of the favorite street foods in both Thailand and the United States. While a Satay from Thailand commonly uses chicken as the primary meat, versions from Indonesia and Malaysia use pork more often as the meat is more readily available in these countries. Recipes can be found that highlight all of the various flavors of these countries.

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