This Indonesian national dish had a brief claim to fame in Aussie culture (2024)

By Ben Groundwater

The dish

Nasi goreng, Indonesia

This Indonesian national dish had a brief claim to fame in Aussie culture (1)

Plate up

Nasi goreng might be a deeply loved dish throughout Indonesia, Malaysia and Singapore, but it has earned a place in Australia’s pop-cultural history, too. You might remember the BigPond TV advertisem*nt from almost 20 years ago now, in which a kid asks his dad to explain the Great Wall of China. “That was … during the time of Emperor Nasi Goreng,” the dad mumbles, “and it was to keep the rabbits out.” That gives you an idea of the fame of this dish, that it could be referenced in a TV ad back in the mid-2000s and people would know what it was.

Nasi goreng, for the few uninitiated, is a dish of day-old rice that’s fried at high temperature with a range of spices, plus sweet soy sauce, fish sauce and shrimp paste, then meat – usually chicken or beef – and egg, fried and placed on top. The dish is served with crisp shallots, pickled vegetables and chilli sambal. If there really was an Emperor Nasi Goreng, we would bow down in obeisance.

First serve

The history of nasi goreng is murky and complex. The practice of stir-frying leftover rice was probably adopted in Indonesia from the Chinese, whose influence can be seen in much of Indonesian and Malaysian cuisine. Trade with China began in the 10th century and migrants began settling in South-East Asia soon after. No-one is exactly sure when nasi goreng became a thing, though it was mentioned during the time of the Dutch East Indies company, and nasi goreng was served at the Indonesian pavilion during New York World’s Fair in 1964.

Order there

Nasi goreng is served basically everywhere in Indonesia. If you’re in Jakarta, try an elevated version at Agneya Restaurant (agneya.co.id).

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Order here

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In Sydney, Ayam Goreng 99 is known for its charcoal chicken, but the nasi goreng is also excellent (ayamgoreng99.com). In Melbourne, Pondok Rempah is a classic for a reason (pondokrempah.com.au). And in Adelaide, try Pondok Duan (94 Currie Street, Adelaide).

One more thing

Nasi goreng is one of five national dishes in Indonesia. The rest are soto (a traditional soup), satay (grilled meats), rendang (a coconut-based, meaty braise) and gado-gado (vegetable, egg and tofu salad).

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This Indonesian national dish had a brief claim to fame in Aussie culture (2024)

FAQs

This Indonesian national dish had a brief claim to fame in Aussie culture? ›

Nasi goreng might be a deeply loved dish throughout Indonesia, Malaysia and Singapore, but it has earned a place in Australia's pop-cultural history, too.

What is the Indonesian national dish? ›

Nasi goreng is omnipresent in Indonesia and considered a national dish.

What food is famous in Indonesia? ›

If you are visiting Indonesia, make sure you don't miss a chance to taste these 12 delicious cuisines!
  • 1 | Nasi Goreng. Nasi Goreng means Fried Rice. ...
  • 2 | Sate.
  • 3 | Soto. Another food that can be found in almost every place in Indonesia is Soto or Soup. ...
  • 4 | Gado-gado.
  • 5 | Rendang.
  • 6 | Bakso.
  • 7 | Mie Ayam.
  • 8 | Batagor.

What is the national dish of Australia? ›

Roast lamb has been declared Australia's national dish in a major poll that shows we're still a country of meat eaters at heart. The poll, held on News Ltd websites across all mainland capitals, attracted more than 24,000 votes.

Why is fried rice so popular in Indonesia? ›

Recognized as Indonesia's all time favorite dish, Nasi Goreng or Fried rice is a meal that can be taken any time; for breakfast, lunch or even dinner. It is said that the original recipe was brought by Chinese migrants to these islands and through the centuries it was adapted to local taste.

What is the number one food in Indonesia? ›

1. Nasi Goreng (Indonesian Fried Rice) Let's kick off our culinary adventure with the crown jewel of Indonesian food – Nasi Goreng. This ubiquitous dish is a fragrant symphony of stir-fried rice, kecap manis (sweet soy sauce), tamarind, and an assortment of spices.

What is the Indonesian dish with blood? ›

Lawar which uses young jackfruit is called jackfruit lawar. Some types of lawar might add the blood of butchered animals (usually pork or chicken blood) mixed with spices to add taste.

What is Indonesia signature food? ›

Nasi Goreng (Fried Rice) is considered Indonesia's national dish.

What is very famous in Indonesia? ›

Indonesia is known for its diverse tourist attractions. The country has an endless list of wonderful tourist places, from beaches and volcanoes to temples and museums. You can visit Mount Rinjani, Kuta Beach, Campuhan Ridge Walk, Sanur Beach, Saraswati, Borobudur temples, and much more.

What products is Indonesia famous for? ›

The country is a major exporter of crude petroleum and natural gas. In addition, Indonesia is one of the world's main suppliers of rubber, coffee, cocoa, and palm oil; it also produces a wide range of other commodities, such as sugar, tea, tobacco, copra, and spices (e.g., cloves).

What is Australia's most famous dish? ›

1. Chicken Parmigiana. Best place to have: Enterprise Hotel, Charters Towers, Queensland. Originating from Italy, Chicken Parmigiana is your traditional Australian food that is found in almost every pub in Australia.

What is Australia's cultural dish? ›

Lamingtons

Dessert fiends would probably nominate lamingtons over meat pies or roast lamb as the national food of Australia. There are many ways to make this sponge cake, but it's usually coated in chocolate sauce and coconut shavings.

What is the dish in Australia? ›

If you're a fan of astronomy, the movie 'The Dish', or both, Murriyang, our Parkes radio telescope, in the central-west region of New South Wales is a must-see destination.

What is Indonesia's national food? ›

In 2018, nasi goreng was officially recognized by the Indonesian government as one of the country's national dishes along with four others: soto, sate, rendang, and gado-gado.

Why do they eat rice in Indonesia? ›

There are several reasons why rice had been the main food in Indonesia until now. In the past, Indonesia used to be known as an agricultural country with vast rice fields in its islands. Indonesian managed to harvest rice in high number. So rice was simply the easiest food that Indonesian found.

Is Indonesia known for rice? ›

Indonesia is the third largest producer of rice in the world. From ancient agricultural practices to modern-day culinary traditions, the significance of rice in Indonesia is profound and deeply ingrained in its cultural fabric.

What does Goreng mean? ›

“Goreng” is an adjective that means something that is cooked by soaking it in hot oil. The direct literal translation to English is “fried”.

What is the difference between nasi goreng and fried rice? ›

Nasi Goreng is a type of fried rice, specific to Malaysia/Indonesia origins. In fact the term “Nasi Goreng' actually means fried rice. It is a bit wetter, darker with use of kicap hitam or sweet soy sauce.

What is the traditional food of Bali? ›

Our list of Balinese food to try includes exotic choices such as lawar (minced meat salad), bebek betutu (roast duck), sate lilit (Balinese satay), and the island's famed babi guling (whole spit-roast pig). The Balinese have a rich collection of snacks, cakes and desserts for your sweet tooth too.

Is nasi goreng Dutch? ›

Magazine editor, restaurant reviewer, and food writer who focuses on Dutch cuisine. Because of the Netherlands' 350-year subjugation of Indonesia, nasi goreng ("fried rice") is now a staple in every Dutch family home today.

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