The Indonesian dishes every visitor should try include rendang, rawon, gulai, rujak, babi guling, nasi goreng, sate, soto, gado-gado and sambal. Each comes from a different corner of the archipelago, and together they show why traditional Indonesian food is among the most exciting in Asia. In Ubud, you can taste many of these flavours reimagined at Spice by Blake, a modern Indonesian restaurant on Jalan Monkey Forest.
Why Indonesian food is so diverse
Indonesia stretches across more than 17,000 islands, and every region cooks with its own spices, techniques and ingredients. Coconut milk and chilli dominate in Sumatra, sweet soy and smoky grills in Java, and spice pastes and roast pork in Bali. Knowing a few key Indonesian dishes makes it much easier to decide what to eat in Bali, whether you are at a warung or a restaurant.
10 Indonesian dishes to try
1. Rendang
Rendang comes from the Minangkabau people of West Sumatra. Beef is slow-cooked for hours in coconut milk and a paste of chilli, galangal, lemongrass and other spices until the sauce almost disappears and the meat turns dark, rich and tender. It is one of the most famous Indonesian dishes in the world.
Where to try it in Ubud: Spice by Blake's wagyu beef rendang is one of its best-selling dishes.
2. Rawon
Rawon is East Java's striking black beef soup. Its colour and deep, earthy flavour come from keluak, a fermented nut that takes careful preparation to make edible.
Where to try it in Ubud: Spice by Blake serves a brisket rawon, a modern take on the classic.
3. Gulai
Gulai is a rich, spiced curry from Sumatra, usually made with coconut milk, turmeric and a blend of aromatic spices. It is cooked with meat, fish or offal, and every region has its own version.
Where to try it in Ubud: Braised oxtail gulai has featured on Spice by Blake's Feed Me menu.
4. Rujak
Rujak is a fruit salad with a twist: crunchy, tart fruit tossed in a sticky dressing of palm sugar, chilli and tamarind. It is sweet, sour and spicy all at once, and a popular snack across Indonesia.
Where to try it in Ubud: Spice by Blake pairs cured kingfish with pomelo and rujak sauce.
5. Babi guling
Babi guling is Bali's celebrated spit-roasted pig, stuffed with a spice paste called base genep and roasted until the skin crackles. It is a must on any list of what to eat in Bali, and Ubud is one of the best places to find it.
Where to try it in Ubud: Read our guide to the best babi guling in Ubud.
6. Nasi goreng
Nasi goreng, Indonesian fried rice, is often called the national dish. Rice is stir-fried with sweet soy sauce, shallots, garlic and chilli, and usually topped with a fried egg and crackers.
7. Sate
Sate, or satay, are skewers of meat grilled over charcoal and served with peanut or sweet soy sauce. In Bali, look for sate lilit, minced meat or fish wrapped around lemongrass sticks.
8. Soto
Soto is a fragrant, turmeric-scented soup with chicken or beef, rice or noodles, and fresh herbs. Almost every region has its own version, making it one of the most varied traditional Indonesian foods.
9. Gado-gado
Gado-gado is a vegetable salad of blanched greens, tofu, tempeh, egg and potato, smothered in peanut sauce. It is one of the best Indonesian dishes for vegetarians.
10. Sambal
No Indonesian meal is complete without sambal, the chilli relish served with almost everything. There are hundreds of varieties, from fresh and zesty sambal matah in Bali to rich, cooked sambal terasi.
Try eight Indonesian dishes at once with Feed Me
Can't decide which Indonesian dishes to try first? At Spice by Blake, Feed Me lets the kitchen choose for you: four courses and eight modern Indonesian dishes, shared by the whole table, for IDR 388,000++ per person. The menu changes regularly, is served daily, and can be adjusted for dietary needs.
Recent Feed Me dishes have included braised oxtail gulai, cured kingfish with pomelo and rujak sauce, and a playful duck nugget. It is the easiest way to taste the range of traditional Indonesian food, reimagined, in one meal.
About Spice by Blake
Spice by Blake is a modern Indonesian restaurant on Jalan Monkey Forest in central Ubud, led by Chef Blake Thornley, chef and co-owner of Mozaic. It reinterprets familiar Indonesian dishes with fine dining technique and local, seasonal ingredients, and stays open late for late-night dining in Ubud. Find out why it is one of the best Indonesian restaurants in Bali.
Frequently asked questions
What are the most famous Indonesian dishes? Rendang, nasi goreng, sate, gado-gado and soto are among the most famous Indonesian dishes. In Bali, babi guling is a must-try.
What is traditional Indonesian food like? Traditional Indonesian food is built on spice pastes, coconut milk, chilli, palm sugar and fresh herbs. Flavours are bold and layered, balancing heat, sweetness, sourness and richness.
What should I eat in Bali? Start with babi guling, sate lilit, nasi campur and sambal matah, then explore dishes from other islands such as rendang and rawon.
Where can I try modern Indonesian dishes in Ubud? Spice by Blake on Jalan Monkey Forest serves modern versions of Indonesian dishes such as wagyu beef rendang and brisket rawon. Its Feed Me menu offers eight dishes for IDR 388,000++ per person.
Is Indonesian food spicy? Often, but not always. Many dishes are rich and aromatic rather than hot, and sambal is usually served on the side so you can add heat to taste.
Taste Indonesia in Ubud
Now that you know which Indonesian dishes to try, taste them at Spice by Blake on Jalan Monkey Forest, Ubud. Order your favourites, or simply say "feed me" and let the kitchen take you across the archipelago.
