The Indonesian desserts every visitor should try include klepon, dadar gulung, kue lapis, onde-onde, martabak manis, es cendol, es campur, bubur injin, pisang goreng, serabi, kue putu and laklak. Most traditional Indonesian desserts are built on a few beloved ingredients: palm sugar, coconut, pandan and glutinous rice. In Bali, you will find Indonesian desserts at morning markets, temple ceremonies and warung, and in modern form at restaurants such as Spice by Blake in Ubud.
What makes Indonesian desserts special
Indonesian desserts are rarely just sweet. Palm sugar, called gula merah or gula aren, brings caramel depth, coconut adds richness and a little salt, and pandan leaves give a fragrant, vanilla-like aroma and a natural green colour.
Many traditional Indonesian desserts are sold as jajan pasar, small market snacks eaten in the morning or afternoon with coffee or tea rather than after dinner. Like Indonesian street food, they are cheap, colourful and full of character.
12 Indonesian desserts to try
1. Klepon
Klepon are pandan-green rice cake balls filled with liquid palm sugar and rolled in grated coconut. Bite carefully: the sugar bursts out.
2. Dadar gulung
Dadar gulung are thin green pandan crepes rolled around sweet grated coconut cooked in palm sugar.
3. Kue lapis
Kue lapis is a soft, steamed layered cake made from rice flour and coconut milk, often peeled and eaten one colourful layer at a time.
4. Onde-onde
Sesame-coated glutinous rice balls filled with sweet mung bean paste, fried until crisp outside and chewy inside.
5. Martabak manis
A thick, fluffy pancake folded around chocolate, cheese, peanuts and condensed milk. It is one of the most popular late-night Indonesian desserts.
6. Es cendol
Es cendol combines green rice flour jelly, coconut milk, palm sugar syrup and shaved ice. Perfect on a hot Bali afternoon.
7. Es campur
Shaved ice piled with jelly, fruit, tapioca pearls and coconut, finished with sweet syrup and condensed milk.
8. Bubur injin
Bali's favourite sweet porridge is made from black glutinous rice, known elsewhere in Indonesia as bubur ketan hitam, and served warm with coconut milk and palm sugar.
9. Pisang goreng
Banana fried in light, crisp batter, sometimes topped with palm sugar, cheese or chocolate.
10. Serabi
Small rice flour and coconut milk pancakes cooked in clay pans, served plain or with palm sugar sauce.
11. Kue putu
Steamed green rice cakes filled with palm sugar and rolled in coconut, sold from carts that whistle as they cook.
12. Laklak
A Balinese favourite: small green rice pancakes topped with grated coconut and melted palm sugar.
Balinese desserts worth seeking out
In Bali, look out for bubur injin, laklak and jaja Bali, the colourful rice cakes offered at temple ceremonies and sold at morning markets. Ubud's markets are among the best places to try these Balinese desserts early in the day.
Modern Indonesian desserts at Spice by Blake
At Spice by Blake on Jalan Monkey Forest in central Ubud, Chef Blake Thornley gives Indonesian desserts a playful, modern twist. The current menu includes:
- Experimental Tempe Cereal with kemangi marshmallow and almond milk, a vegan dessert that turns tempe and lemon basil into something sweet
- Pineapple Cake with smoked cardamom ice cream
- Chocolate Moelleux Tart with fresh lemongrass ice cream
- Seasonal Sorbets of the Day, made with fresh tropical fruit
The kitchen uses the same Indonesian spices and herbs in its desserts as in its savoury dishes, from cardamom and lemongrass to kemangi. Prefer to let the chef decide? The Feed Me menu, IDR 388,000++ per person, serves eight dishes across four courses, shared by the whole table.
Frequently asked questions
What are the most popular Indonesian desserts? Klepon, dadar gulung, kue lapis, martabak manis and es cendol are among the most popular Indonesian desserts.
What ingredients are used in traditional Indonesian desserts? Most traditional Indonesian desserts use palm sugar, coconut milk or grated coconut, pandan and rice flour or glutinous rice.
What is a typical Balinese dessert? Bubur injin, a warm black rice pudding with coconut milk, and laklak, small rice pancakes with coconut and palm sugar, are classic Balinese desserts.
Are Indonesian desserts vegan? Many are naturally vegan, as they are made with coconut milk instead of dairy and with rice flour instead of wheat. Always check for egg or condensed milk.
Where can I try modern Indonesian desserts in Ubud? Spice by Blake on Jalan Monkey Forest serves modern Indonesian desserts such as Experimental Tempe Cereal with kemangi marshmallow and Pineapple Cake with smoked cardamom ice cream.
Save room for something sweet
From market klepon to modern plated desserts, Indonesian desserts are a sweet way to explore the country's flavours. Taste them in Ubud at Spice by Blake, and read more about Indonesian dishes to try.
