Last updated: April 24, 2026
Indonesian Food Words — 60+ Essentials
From iconic dishes like nasi goreng and rendang to asking for non-spicy options and managing allergies — this is the complete Indonesian food vocabulary you need to order confidently in Bali, Jakarta, or any warung across the archipelago.
Spicy warning for newcomers
Indonesian "mild" is often hotter than Western "spicy". Always say "Tidak pedas" (not spicy) when trying a new dish, and "Tidak cabai" (no chili) to remove chili entirely. Sambal (chili paste) is served on the side — you control the heat.
Famous dishes
| Indonesian | Pronunciation | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| Nasi goreng | NA-see GO-reng | Fried rice (national dish) |
| Mie goreng | MEE GO-reng | Fried noodles |
| Rendang | ren-DAHNG | Slow-cooked spicy beef (Padang) |
| Sate | SA-teh | Grilled skewered meat with peanut sauce |
| Gado-gado | GA-do GA-do | Vegetable salad with peanut sauce |
| Soto | SO-to | Traditional soup (chicken, beef or offal) |
| Bakso | BAHK-so | Meatball soup |
| Nasi campur | NA-see CHAM-poor | Mixed rice with sides |
| Martabak | mar-TA-bahk | Stuffed pancake (sweet or savory) |
| Pisang goreng | pee-SAHNG GO-reng | Fried banana |
Basic ingredients
| Indonesian | Pronunciation | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| Nasi | NA-see | Rice |
| Ayam | A-yahm | Chicken |
| Daging | DA-ging | Meat (usually beef) |
| Ikan | EE-kahn | Fish |
| Udang | OO-dahng | Shrimp |
| Telur | tuh-LOOR | Egg |
| Sayur | SA-yoor | Vegetables |
| Buah | BOO-ah | Fruit |
| Tempe | TEM-peh | Fermented soybean cake |
| Tahu | TA-hoo | Tofu |
| Bawang | BA-wahng | Onion / garlic |
| Cabai | cha-BAI | Chili pepper |
Drinks
| Indonesian | Pronunciation | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| Air putih | A-yer POO-tee | Plain water |
| Es teh | es teh | Iced tea |
| Kopi | KO-pee | Coffee |
| Teh | teh | Tea |
| Jus jeruk | joos JUH-rook | Orange juice |
| Kelapa muda | kuh-LA-pah MOO-dah | Young coconut |
| Bir | beer | Beer (halal = no alcohol) |
Restaurant phrases
| Indonesian | Pronunciation | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| Menu, tolong | MEH-noo, TO-long | The menu, please |
| Saya mau… | SA-yah MA-oo | I would like… |
| Tidak pedas | TEE-dahk puh-DAHS | Not spicy |
| Sedikit pedas | suh-DEE-keet puh-DAHS | A little spicy |
| Pedas sekali | puh-DAHS suh-KAH-lee | Very spicy |
| Saya vegetarian | SA-yah veh-guh-TA-ree-ahn | I am vegetarian |
| Saya alergi… | SA-yah ah-LEHR-gee | I am allergic to… |
| Halal | ha-LAHL | Halal (permitted for Muslims) |
| Enak sekali! | EH-nahk suh-KAH-lee | Delicious! |
| Bungkus, tolong | BOONG-koos, TO-long | To go, please |
| Bayar, tolong | BA-yar, TO-long | The bill, please |
| Berapa harganya? | buh-RA-pah har-GA-nyah | How much is it? |
Cultural tips for eating in Indonesia
- Eat with your right hand in traditional settings — the left hand is considered unclean. Most casual places now provide forks/spoons.
- Warungs (small family eateries) are where the best food hides — cheap, authentic, and a chance to practice Indonesian.
- Say "Enak sekali!" (very delicious) to the owner — it genuinely delights Indonesian cooks.
- Halal is the default in most of Indonesia. If you want pork or alcohol, Bali has the most options; Chinese-Indonesian restaurants also serve pork.
- Prices are often not listed in warungs. Don't be shy: ask "Berapa harganya?" (how much?) before ordering if prices matter.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the most famous Indonesian food?+
Nasi goreng (fried rice) is the national dish — it has even been voted one of the world's most delicious foods by CNN. Other iconic dishes: rendang (Padang slow-cooked beef), sate (grilled skewers), gado-gado (peanut-sauce vegetable salad), and soto (traditional soup).
How do I ask for non-spicy food?+
Say "Tidak pedas" (not spicy) or "Sedikit pedas saja" (just a little spicy). Be firm — Indonesian "mild" is still spicy for most Westerners. When in doubt, also say "Tidak cabai" (no chili).
What does "halal" mean on Indonesian menus?+
Halal means the food is permissible under Islamic dietary law: no pork, no alcohol, and the meat is slaughtered according to Islamic rules. ~87% of Indonesians are Muslim, so most restaurants are halal by default. Bali (Hindu-majority) has more pork and beer options.
Is Indonesian food vegetarian-friendly?+
Many dishes can be made vegetarian: gado-gado, pecel (vegetables + peanut sauce), tempe goreng, tahu goreng, sayur lodeh. Always ask "Tanpa daging?" (without meat?) because some "vegetable" dishes include small shrimp or fish paste (terasi/petis).
What should I order if I am scared to try spicy food?+
Safe non-spicy options: nasi putih (plain rice), mie goreng (fried noodles — often mild), sate ayam (chicken skewers), pisang goreng (fried banana), gado-gado (peanut sauce is sweet/savory, not spicy). Avoid: rendang, sambal (chili paste), gulai, balado.
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