What do Indonesians eat and drink?

What do Indonesian people eat?

  • Rice. Eastern Indonesians may eat corns as well as the staple food. Most households have one or two rice cooker which can boil rice in about 30 minutes.These days, however, noodles are also becoming a popular substitute for rice, especially for breakfast. Also for breakfast, the rice is most often served as bubur (porridge) or lontong/ketupat (pressed rice packets).
  • Vegetables. The cooked ones are called sayur or sup (soup), the raw ones that typically are accompanied by a sambal (spicy relish) are called ‘lalapan’.
  • Fish, chicken or meat. Sumatrans and Eastern Indonesians eat fish way more often than chicken or meat, as they are in abundance in the regions. The main etnic group Javanese and Sundanese, however, eat a more balance variety of chicken, meat and fish.
  • Tahu and Tempeh. Tempeh is native to Java, therefore it is like a staple food that is almost there, be it in a main dish or as a snack in between big meals.

What do Indonesian people drink?

  • Tea. Indonesians, particularly the Javanese, drink tea all the time and on all occasions. That’s why bottled tea is much more popular here than a coca cola.
  • Coffee. Yes, they drink a lot of coffee too, especially in the morning and afternoon. As a matter of fact, Java is a synonim of coffee! Well, there is more to Java than just a cup of coffee. Sumatran robusta and arabica coffee beans are among the best in the world.

What Indonesians don’t eat or drink?

  • Pork. Indonesia is predominantly muslim, so pork and its derivatives are not considered “halal” or kosher. However, in regions where muslims are minority like in Bali and some parts of North Sumatra and most of Papua, pork may be widely consumed.
  • Milk. Strangely enough, adults don’t drink milk here. They stop consuming it when they grow up! This habit may need to change as there is no reason for it. In fact, as we get older, we may need milk more than when we were younger.
  • Alcohol. As alcoholic drinks are not halal, most Indonesians don’t drink anything that contains alcohol. This also includes any products with shortening or aroma that come from alcoholic beverages.