After diving the Indonesian waters, another thing to explore is it culture and gastronomy. Indonesia values its food and history as much as it values its natural resources. Here are some Indonesian street foods to try out on your next dive escapade—they will give you a glimpse of the republic’s flavorful history and culture.
Ketoprak (rice cake with peanut sauce)
This street food is perfect for vegetarians. This typical Betawi dish called Ketoprak will surely delight you with its peanuty, spicy and sweet flavor. It is made of fried tofu chunks, sliced cabbage, bean sprout, lontong (Indonesian compressed rice cake), rice vermicelli, and boiled egg—served with fried shallots, peanut dressing, rice crackers and spicy sambal.
Martabak Manis (sweet pancake)
A type of Indonesian dessert popular across the country, Martabak manis will surely satisfy your taste buds with its buttery sweet flavor. It is a soft pancake stuffed with some variations like chocolate, nutella, condensed milk, peanuts, cheese, and much more. The martabak vendors usually sell another appetizing variant—made of egg and meat.
Gorengan (Indonesian deep fried snack)
The most popular snack in the entire region is probably the Gorengan, which means “fried food.” You can decide on various bases from tofu, yam and tempeh (fermented soy bean), to banana and cassava—everything is deep fried. The best way to enjoy this greasy food is dipping it in hot chili sauce.
I love trying new street foods when I travel! The combination of peanuts, tofu, and rice vermicelli in Ketoprak sounds delicious. I’ll have to try Martabak Manis with chocolate or Nutella filling too!
Hi Rina, it’s great to hear that you enjoy trying new street foods when traveling! The combination of peanuts, tofu, and rice vermicelli in Ketoprak is indeed delicious. If you’re looking for more variations, some vendors also offer a spicy peanut sauce or a sweet soy sauce to complement the dish. For Martabak Manis, chocolate or Nutella fillings are definitely popular choices, but you might also want to try other options like strawberries or bananas for a unique twist. Don’t hesitate to reach out if you have any questions or need recommendations on where to find these street foods during your next dive escapade. You can contact us at Tel: +65 6734 9373, Email: [email protected].
Gorengan is definitely a popular snack in Indonesia! I prefer dipping it in hot chili sauce too. The variety of bases is great, but my favorite is still the classic tofu Gorengan.
Hi Mia Suhaimi, thank you for sharing your love for Gorengan! We’re glad to hear that you enjoy dipping it in hot chili sauce too. It’s indeed a popular snack in Indonesia, and the variety of bases is one of its charms. Tofu Gorengan remains a classic favorite among many. If you have any more questions or would like to know more about our dive trips to Indonesia, feel free to contact us at Tel: +65 6734 9373 or Email: [email protected]
I’m a big fan of Indonesian cuisine! The combination of sweet and savory flavors in Martabak Manis is amazing. I’ll have to try making some at home.
Hi Evelyn! It’s great to hear that you’re a fan of Indonesian cuisine, just like us at Gill Divers. Martabak Manis is indeed an amazing treat, and we’re glad you enjoyed it during your dive escapade in Indonesia. If you do decide to try making some at home, don’t hesitate to reach out if you need any tips or recommendations. We’d be happy to help. By the way, have you tried any other Indonesian street foods that you would recommend? We’d love to hear about them! You can contact us at [email protected] or +65 6734 9373 for more information.