Indonesia’s food scene is like a big family with all kinds of flavors, from salty to sweet. It usually gets a thumbs up from people worldwide, but hey, not every dish is everyone’s cup of tea. Taste Atlas, a site from Croatia, spilled the beans on some Indonesian foods that didn’t get a standing ovation. Let’s dive into the deets of these culinary underdogs.
Chicken Timed Rice (Nasi Tim Ayam) – Meh
This traditional dish involves steaming rice with chicken or mushrooms, jazzed up with soy sauce and garlic. It’s a go-to for kids thanks to its soft texture, but it only scored a 2.8 on Taste Atlas.
Lawar – So-So
Straight out of Bali, Lawar mixes minced meat, veggies, coconut, chili powder, shrimp paste, and a bunch of other things. Traditionally made with pork or turtle (yep, you read that right), it’s a big deal during Balinese ceremonies, but Taste Atlas gave it a so-so 3.0.
Papeda – Middle-of-the-Road
A staple in Maluku and Papua, Papeda is made from sago, giving it a gooey, sticky vibe. Served with fish soup and smoked mackerel, it snagged a middle-of-the-road rating of 3.3.
Mooncake – Sweet ‘n Savory
Mooncake, the pastry sensation filled with all sorts of goodies, got a 3.4. Whether you’re into sesame seeds, red beans, or salted egg yolks, there’s a mooncake for you during the Mid-Autumn Festival.
Cat Rice (Nasi Kucing) – Pretty Okay
Originating from Surakarta, Yogyakarta, and Semarang, Cat Rice is a small serving with various sidekicks wrapped in banana leaves. With just a bit of rice, it landed a pretty okay rating of 3.5.
Roast Pork (Babi Panggang) – Not Too Shabby
With roots in Chinese culinary vibes, Roast Pork is the star in areas with lots of Christians and Hindus. Marinated in ginger, garlic, and sweet soy sauce before hitting the roast, it got a not-too-shabby 3.6.
Stew (Semur) – Comfort Food
Semur, a beefy delight with all the spices, veggies, and sweet soy sauce, got a comfort food rating of 3.4.
Solo Steak (Selat Solo) – Mix of Everything
Hailing from Solo, Central Java, Solo Steak brings a mix of meat, onions, soy sauce, and more to the table. With a rating of 3.6, it’s a rollercoaster of flavors.
Pickles (Acar) – Tangy Sidekick
Acar, the veggie mix with cabbage, carrots, and pals, got a tangy sidekick rating of 3.6. It’s the BFF of many Indonesian dishes.
Wingko – The OG Snack
Wingko, the OG coconut cake from Lamongan, has been around since 1898. Taste Atlas didn’t drop a specific rating, but it’s a snack-time legend in Semarang.
So, these ratings are like someone’s opinion, man. What one person calls “meh,” another might call “delish.” Taste is personal, and these Indonesian dishes are doing their best to cater to all kinds of taste buds.