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Sate Madura is a traditional dish and a type of sate originating from the island of Madura, hence the name. The dish is prepared with chicken or mutton pieces that are placed onto skewers and grilled. This type of sate is different from most other types since the meat is cut into thinner chunks than usual.
The skewers are accompanied by a dark sauce made with a combination of kecap manis (sweetened soy sauce), palm sugar, fried shallots, shrimp paste, peanut paste, candlenuts, salt, and garlic. If made with chicken, the dish is served in peanut sauce, while the mutton version often comes served in kecap manis.
MOST ICONIC Sate Madura
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Sate Ponorogo is a traditional type of satay originating from Ponorogo in East Java. This type of satay is made with chicken that's marinated in a combination of shallots, garlic, candlenuts, coriander, turmeric, cumin, galangal, salt, and palm sugar.
The chicken is then cut into pieces and threaded onto bamboo skewers before it's coated with a mixture of kecap manis (sweet soy sauce), shallots, brown sugar, and oil. The skewers are grilled on both sides until the chicken is fully cooked and tender.
Satay is a traditional dish consisting of skewered meat that's served with a sauce on the side. All types of meat can be used to make satay, even some exotic varieties such as crocodile or snake meat. In most cases, the meat is marinated before grilling.
Marinades vary, but typically include dark soy sauce, sugar, garlic, lime juice, and other seasonings. It is believed that satay originated in the Indonesian region of Java and that it was developed under the influence of Muslim traders who migrated from India.
VARIATIONS OF Satay
MOST ICONIC Satay
View moreThis Indonesian dish consists of pieces of fried chicken that are served coated in sambal, a popular chili paste. The word penyet from the name of this dish means to press or push, referring to the preparation method in which the chicken is pressed by a pestle in order to make the meat more tender.
Some versions tenderize the chicken after frying, at the same time coating it with sambal. The dish is served with extra sambal on the side, usually accompanied by fresh vegetables, tempeh, tofu, and rice. Although it hails from East Java, ayam penyet is found throughout the country and is also popular in Singapore.
MOST ICONIC Ayam penyet
Indonesian chicken stew is based on an aromatic combination of coconut milk and numerous spices such as lemongrass, tamarind, cinnamon, galangal, palm sugar, coriander, garlic, and shallots. The dish is typically prepared with bone-in pieces such as thighs or drumsticks, or sometimes even a whole chicken that is cut into pieces.
The dish is usually associated with Java and it belongs to a wider group of opor dishes that employ the coconut milk braising technique. Opor ayam is typically enjoyed at Eid al-Fitrat – a religious festival that celebrates the end of Ramadan.
Predominantly sweet, slightly robust, and deliciously spicy, tongseng is an authentic Indonesian meat stew, typically goat, cooked with kecap manis (sweet soy sauce), shredded cabbage, tomatoes, and coconut milk. It is commonly regarded as a combination of satay, meat skewers, and gulai, Indonesian curry.
This Javanese delicacy is replete with exotic herbs and spices that give it an exquisite flavor, while the coconut milk gives it a smooth, creamy texture. Beef, mutton, and even chicken are alternatives to the goat meat. Also, it is not uncommon to leave the bones and offal of the meat while cooking the dish for a richer flavor.
Sate kelinci is a traditional dish originating from Java. The dish consists of rabbit meat that's usually marinated, then placed on bamboo skewers and grilled to perfection. The marinade is often made with a combination of shallots, garlic, ginger, coriander, chili peppers, brown sugar, soy sauce, and lemongrass.
Once marinated, the rabbit meat is skewered and grilled, and the dish is then served with soy sauce on the side.
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Ayam geprek is a popular Indonesian fried chicken dish that combines the crispiness of battered fried chicken with the bold, fiery punch of raw sambal (chili sauce). The name comes from the Javanese word geprek, which means “to smash”—a reference to how the freshly fried chicken is crushed or pressed together with sambal, blending the crispy skin and tender meat with the chili’s heat and aroma.
Originating in Central Java, ayam geprek rose to national fame in recent years, thanks to its simple yet addictive combination of textures and flavors. It begins with chicken pieces (often boneless breast or thigh) that are marinated, coated in spiced flour batter, and deep-fried until golden and crunchy, similar in style to American fried chicken.
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As the name suggests, this bakso variety hails from Solo (Surakarta). It is prepared with firm, but tender beef meatballs that are served in beef broth. The dish is usually accompanied by yellow or vermicelli noodles and various garnishes such as fried onions, greens, or fried wontons.
A bowl of bakso Solo is served with fresh chili sauce and lime wedges on the side.
MOST ICONIC Bakso solo
View moreBakso bakar is a popular Indonesian street food dish consisting of grilled meatballs, usually made from beef, that are skewered, basted in a flavorful sauce, and grilled over hot charcoal until smoky, slightly charred, and caramelized on the outside.
The word "bakso" refers to meatballs, typically made from a mixture of finely ground beef (or sometimes chicken or fish), tapioca flour, and seasonings. "Bakar" means grilled or roasted. So, bakso bakar literally means "grilled meatballs." Originally popularized in Malang, East Java, bakso bakar has since gained nationwide fame as a snack or side dish, often sold at roadside stalls (warung), food carts, and night markets.
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